At a Glance
- Tasks: Advise on financial crime risks and strengthen the bank’s controls in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join an international banking group with a strong compliance culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid work model, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Engage in meaningful projects and develop junior colleagues in a supportive team.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on financial crime compliance while working closely with senior stakeholders.
- Qualifications: Experience in second-line financial crime advisory and strong AML knowledge required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 95000 £ per year.
Barclay Simpson is partnering with an international banking group to recruit a Financial Crime Compliance VP into its London team. This is a second-line financial crime advisory position, not a KYC processing or client onboarding operations role. Applicants must have substantive second-line financial crime advisory experience and an existing right to work in the UK. Sponsorship is not available for this position.
Working closely with the MLRO and senior compliance colleagues, you will advise on financial crime risks across corporate and investment banking, handle complex escalations and help strengthen the bank’s controls. The role combines day-to-day advisory responsibilities with quality assurance development, project involvement and support for two AVPs.
The role:
- Provide second-line advice and challenge on AML, sanctions and wider financial crime risks, including bribery and corruption and fraud.
- Assess higher-risk client, transaction and screening escalations, making clear recommendations against the bank’s risk appetite.
- Advise frontline teams on complex relationships, ownership structures and financial crime concerns.
- Develop and enhance the KYC quality assurance framework, review controls and address weaknesses.
- Support suspicious activity assessments, management information and MLRO reporting.
- Translate regulatory developments into practical policies and procedures, including those supporting trade finance.
- Contribute to a global client onboarding system replacement through control requirements, configuration and testing.
- Guide and develop two AVPs.
Essential experience:
- Demonstrable second-line financial crime advisory experience, providing independent advice and challenge to the business within a compliance function.
- Strong practical knowledge of AML and sanctions, including assessing complex cases and recommending proportionate controls.
- Relevant corporate or investment banking product knowledge.
- Confidence engaging with senior stakeholders, explaining risk decisions and challenging constructively.
- A proactive, hands-on approach and the ability to work effectively within a small team.
- Existing UK right to work without requiring sponsorship for this role.
- Experience developing QA frameworks, improving controls or contributing to systems change would be valuable.
- Previous formal line-management experience is not essential, although the ability to support junior colleagues is important.
- Experience limited to KYC/CDD processing, onboarding operations, remediation delivery or alert handling will not meet the requirements without substantive second-line advisory responsibility.
The opportunity:
This position offers broad financial crime coverage, close interaction with senior compliance colleagues and meaningful involvement in control development and change. The base salary is 80,000–95,000, with limited flexibility above the range for the right candidate. For a confidential discussion, please contact Nick Evans at Barclay Simpson.
Financial Crime Compliance – Vice President in London employer: Barclay Simpson Corporate Governance Recruitment
As a leading investment bank located in London, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee growth and development. Our commitment to innovation in quantitative analytics offers unique opportunities for professionals to influence pricing models across multiple asset classes while collaborating with top-tier teams. With competitive compensation packages and a focus on continuous improvement, we are an excellent employer for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in the financial services sector.
Contact Details:
Barclay Simpson Corporate Governance Recruitment Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
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