At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead hands-on financial crime investigations and assess customer behaviour to mitigate risks.
- Company: Join a high-growth fintech revolutionising global consumer and merchant markets.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth opportunities, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Opportunities for mid and senior levels with potential for international exposure.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in combating financial crime while working with a talented team.
- Qualifications: Experience in AML or financial crime investigations and strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Alexander Barnes is leading the search for AML Investigations Specialists, at both mid and senior levels, to join a high-growth, regulated fintech operating across global consumer and merchant markets. These roles sit firmly in operational investigations. We are looking for hands-on practitioners who have built their careers conducting end-to-end financial crime investigations and casework - not compliance oversight, not KYC review, not policy.
You will lead and support AML and financial crime investigations across consumer and business portfolios, assessing customer behaviour, transactional activity, and supporting documentation to identify and mitigate risk. You will apply expert judgement to complex, high-risk cases, determining when escalation, enhanced due diligence, or regulatory reporting is required, and work closely with internal stakeholders and outsourced partners to maintain strong investigative controls. Senior hires will additionally take on network and collusion investigations, supporting the quality and consistency of the broader investigations function as it scales across global markets.
What you will bring:
- Strong hands-on transaction monitoring and financial crime investigation experience (AML, fraud, or both)
- Proven ability to assess suspicious activity and prepare clear, well-supported Suspicious Activity Reports
- Solid OSINT skills and a structured approach to investigative methodology
- Knowledge of financial crime typologies relevant to consumer payments and merchant acquiring
- Comfort working with large, complex data sets across multiple systems
- Understanding of AML and financial crime regulations applicable to the EU and/or US, including sanctions and PEP frameworks
- Strong written English for documenting investigative decisions clearly and to a regulatory standard
Levels: We are hiring at two levels. Mid-level candidates should bring a minimum of four years of AML or financial crime investigation experience. Senior candidates should bring six or more years, with experience on complex, multi-layered cases and ideally some exposure to network or collusion typologies.
Nice to have:
- CAMS, ICA, or equivalent AML certification
- Professional proficiency in German, French or Spanish
- Familiarity with global AML regulatory requirements
- Experience supporting or overseeing outsourced investigation or transaction monitoring teams
- Exposure to AML or financial crime risks in crypto, investments, or emerging financial products
- Involvement in transaction monitoring system testing, tuning, or optimisation
Head of FinCrime Investigations in City of London employer: Alexander Barnes
Contact Detail:
Alexander Barnes Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of FinCrime Investigations in City of London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the fintech space, especially those who are already in AML or financial crime roles. A casual chat can lead to insider info about job openings and even referrals.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio of your past investigations and casework. When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, share specific examples that highlight your hands-on experience and problem-solving abilities.
✨Tip Number 3
Stay updated on industry trends! Follow relevant news and updates in financial crime and AML regulations. This knowledge will not only help you in interviews but also show that you're genuinely interested in the field.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got some fantastic opportunities waiting for you. Make sure to tailor your application to highlight your investigative experience and how it aligns with the role you’re after.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of FinCrime Investigations in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Investigative Skills: Make sure to highlight your hands-on experience in financial crime investigations. We want to see how you've tackled complex cases and what methodologies you've used, so don’t hold back on the details!
Be Clear and Concise: When documenting your experiences, clarity is key. Use straightforward language to explain your decision-making process and ensure your writing meets regulatory standards. We appreciate a well-structured narrative!
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with the job description. We love seeing candidates who take the time to connect their background to our needs.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Alexander Barnes
✨Know Your Financial Crime Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of financial crime typologies, especially those relevant to consumer payments and merchant acquiring. Be ready to discuss specific cases you've worked on and how you applied your expertise in transaction monitoring and investigations.
✨Showcase Your Investigative Methodology
Prepare to explain your structured approach to investigations. Highlight your OSINT skills and how you've used them to assess suspicious activity. Bring examples of how you've documented your findings and prepared Suspicious Activity Reports that meet regulatory standards.
✨Demonstrate Your Hands-On Experience
Since they’re looking for hands-on practitioners, be ready to share detailed stories from your past roles. Talk about the end-to-end investigations you've conducted, focusing on complex, high-risk cases and how you determined when to escalate or apply enhanced due diligence.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Regulatory Frameworks
Understand the AML and financial crime regulations applicable to the EU and/or US, including sanctions and PEP frameworks. Be prepared to discuss how these regulations impact your investigative work and how you ensure compliance while maintaining strong investigative controls.