At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of a new detection function in financial crime operations.
- Company: Dynamic fintech company focused on innovation and compliance.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, 25 days' leave, and pension contributions.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities to influence strategy and drive innovation.
- Why this job: Shape the future of fraud detection using cutting-edge AI and machine learning.
- Qualifications: Significant experience in financial crime and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
Location: Hybrid, Manchester
Salary: £70,000 to £90,000 DOE
Our client is looking for an experienced Head of Detection & Decisioning to lead the development of a brand-new function at the heart of their Financial Crime operation. This is a rare opportunity to shape how fraud and financial crime are detected across a growing fintech business. You'll take ownership of detection strategies, transaction monitoring, rules engines and machine learning driven decisioning, helping to protect customers while ensuring the business remains compliant with UK regulations. If you have a strong background in financial crime and fraud, combined with experience working alongside data science and machine learning teams, this could be the ideal next step in your career.
The Role
As Head of Detection & Decisioning, you'll be responsible for building and leading a specialist function focused on financial crime detection across customer onboarding and payment activity. You'll oversee transaction monitoring, optimise detection rules, govern machine learning models and ensure automated decisions are transparent, explainable and aligned with FCA expectations. Working closely with senior stakeholders across Financial Crime, Compliance, Product and Technology, you'll play a key role in shaping the future of the organisation's detection capability.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the Detection & Decisioning function and develop a high-performing specialist team.
- Own customer onboarding (KYC) decisioning and transaction monitoring across Faster Payments and card payments.
- Manage and optimise rules engines, including thresholds, suppression strategies and detection logic.
- Improve alert quality by reducing false positives while maintaining strong fraud detection.
- Act as the business owner for machine learning models used in financial crime detection.
- Monitor model performance, governance and explainability, working closely with Data Science teams.
- Ensure monitoring capabilities evolve in line with emerging fraud trends and regulatory requirements.
- Maintain governance frameworks and audit-ready documentation for detection rules and automated decisions.
- Collaborate with Product, Compliance, Operations and external technology partners to enhance detection capabilities.
- Support regulatory engagement and represent the detection function during audits and FCA reviews.
Skills & Experience
- Significant experience in financial crime, fraud prevention or AML within a UK regulated financial services environment.
- Experience managing transaction monitoring platforms, rules engines or machine learning driven detection systems.
- Strong understanding of UK financial crime regulations, including FCA requirements, Money Laundering Regulations and POCA.
- Knowledge of machine learning model governance and performance metrics, including false positive rates and model monitoring.
- Proven experience leading specialist or technical teams.
- Track record of improving detection effectiveness and reducing false positives.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
Desirable experience includes:
- Financial crime experience within a UK payments or fintech organisation.
- Experience with AI or machine learning decisioning in financial crime.
- Knowledge of Faster Payments, APP fraud or card fraud prevention.
- Experience working with third-party fraud detection platforms and technology providers.
What's on Offer
- Salary of £70,000 to £90,000, depending on experience.
- Hybrid working with 2 to 3 days per week in the Manchester office.
- 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays.
- Employer pension contributions.
- The opportunity to build and shape a brand-new detection function with strong executive backing.
- Exposure to cutting-edge AI and machine learning technology within financial crime.
- A collaborative environment with genuine opportunities to influence strategy and drive innovation.
If you're looking for an opportunity to combine financial crime expertise with emerging technology in a leadership role, we'd love to hear from you.
Head of Detection & Decisioning in High Wycombe employer: Adria Solutions
Join a dynamic fintech company that champions innovation and creativity, offering a flexible hybrid working environment in Manchester. As a Graphic Designer, you'll not only contribute to exciting projects but also benefit from generous holiday allowances and career development opportunities, all while collaborating with a forward-thinking team that values your unique design perspective.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Detection & Decisioning in High Wycombe
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Adria Solutions. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Detection & Decisioning in High Wycombe
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Adria Solutions.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Adria Solutions's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Adria Solutions
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Adria Solutions.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Adria Solutions will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Adria Solutions employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
