At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and delivery of a financial crime strategy and EDGE programme.
- Company: Join BDO, a leading accountancy and business advisory firm.
- Benefits: Excellent day rate and opportunity for professional growth.
- Other info: 12-month fixed term contract with access to senior oversight.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in financial crime prevention and governance.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in financial crime strategy and transformation.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
We are recruiting for a Senior Manager to join BDO, an accountancy and business advisory firm, in their Compliance and Financial Crime team. This is a fixed term contract opportunity, offering an excellent day rate.
About the role:
Seeking a Senior Manager for an initial 12 months to design and lead delivery of a financial crime strategy and next generation Enhanced Defence & Governance (EDGE) program. The appointed secondee will operate as an embedded senior leader, partnering with executive and functional stakeholders to define the strategy, mobilise delivery, strengthen governance, and drive measurable outcomes across financial crime prevention, detection, response, and regulatory requirements.
The organisation’s objective is to establish a clear, risk-based, business-aligned financial crime strategy and translate that strategy into a practical, prioritised, and executable next generation improvement. This is expected to include strategic assessment, target state design, programme mobilisation, governance, stakeholder alignment, delivery planning, and early implementation of priority initiatives in line with evolving regulatory expectations and industry practice.
Key responsibilities include:
- Undertake a rapid current-state assessment of the financial crime framework, operating model, governance, data, technology, controls, MI, and change landscape.
- Design a financial crime strategy that is risk-based, outcome-focused, proportionate, and aligned to business strategy, regulatory obligations, and the external risk profile.
- Define the target state for EDGE, including operating model, governance, decision rights, capability requirements, data and technology enablers, and implementation principles.
- Develop a prioritised EDGE roadmap covering workstreams such as AML, sanctions, fraud, KYC/CDD, transaction monitoring, screening optimisation, case management, training, quality assurance, and management information.
- Mobilise and lead the programme, including workplan creation, governance forums, RAID management, stakeholder engagement, status reporting, dependency management, and benefits tracking.
- Lead delivery of priority initiatives including audit and self-identified issues and establish the foundations for sustained execution beyond the secondment term.
- Support executive and board-level communications, including strategy papers, investment cases, steering materials, and regulatory-readiness messaging where required.
- Build internal capability through coaching, knowledge transfer, and practical embedding of tools, methods, and governance disciplines.
About you:
Proven experience leading financial crime strategy, transformation, and change programmes within a regulated financial services environment. Strong working knowledge across key financial crime disciplines, including AML, KYC/CDD, sanctions, fraud, transaction monitoring, screening, and governance. Demonstrated experience delivering operating model, data, and technology-enabled transformation initiatives. Able to balance strategic thinking with hands-on delivery, influencing senior stakeholders and driving tangible outcomes. Supported by a robust team structure, with access to Director-level oversight, specialist expertise, quality assurance, and additional capacity when required. Available to commit to the full secondment period, subject to agreed leave arrangements.
Desirable experience includes:
- Deep financial crime subject matter expertise.
- Application of AI and emerging technologies within financial crime programmes.
- Target Operating Model (TOM) design and implementation.
- Business case development and investment justification.
- Leading large-scale transformation and change initiatives.
Additional Information:
Location: Cheadle
Duration: 12 months
Senior Manager in Cheadle employer: BDO LLP
BDO is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, particularly within its Compliance and Financial Crime team in Cheadle. Employees benefit from a competitive day rate, robust support structures, and opportunities for professional growth through hands-on leadership roles and access to specialist expertise. The company prioritises employee development and offers a dynamic environment where strategic thinking meets practical execution, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in financial crime prevention.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Manager in Cheadle
✨Dive into Industry Groups
Join compliance and risk management groups on platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook. These communities often share temp job postings and insights. You’d be surprised at how many temporary gigs float around through word of mouth!
✨Showcase Your Expertise
Consider creating content on compliance topics that get you noticed—think LinkedIn articles or even a blog. This not only shows off your knowledge but can grab the attention of companies like BDO LLP when they’re searching for someone to fill a temporary position.
✨Tap into Recruitment Agencies
Reach out to recruitment agencies that specialise in compliance and risk roles. They’re usually in touch with companies looking to fill temporary roles, which can save us a lot of time in our job search.
✨Go Local with Networking
Attend local compliance and risk seminars or workshops. Meeting professionals in our area can open up temp opportunities, and it’s a great way to make your face known in the industry—plus, you might even meet someone from BDO LLP!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Manager in Cheadle
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Compliance Know-How:When you’re applying for a compliance-risk role like Senior Manager, make sure to highlight your understanding of industry regulations and risk management principles. Mention any relevant coursework, certifications, or projects that showcase your expertise in these areas—it's what sets you apart!
Highlight Your Analytical Skills:In the compliance-risk field, strong analytical skills are essential. Talk about your experiences that required critical thinking and data analysis, whether in past roles, internships, or academic projects. Show us how you've identified risks and implemented solutions in the past.
Tailor Your CV for the Temporary Role:Since this is a temporary role, focus on your availability and flexibility in your CV. Highlight any previous short-term roles or projects that demonstrate your ability to adapt quickly and deliver results in a fast-paced environment. This helps employers see you as an easy fit in their team!
A Concise Cover Letter is Key:Keep your cover letter short and focused! Explain why you're interested in the compliance-risk area specifically for this temporary position at BDO LLP. Mention what you hope to learn and achieve, showing your enthusiasm and motivation to contribute positively during your time there.
How to prepare for a job interview at BDO LLP
✨Know Your Compliance Basics
Make sure you're clued up on the key compliance and risk regulations pertinent to the industry you're applying to. Understanding frameworks like GDPR or AML will not only impress but also show that you’re ready to hit the ground running in your temporary role at BDO LLP.
✨Prepare for Scenarios
Expect scenario-based questions that test your problem-solving skills. They might ask how you'd handle a specific compliance issue. Think through real situations you’ve encountered in past roles or study hypothetical cases to showcase your analytical skills and practical judgement during the interview.
✨Highlight Your Adaptability
Since this is a temporary position, emphasise your ability to adapt quickly to new environments and team dynamics. Share examples of how you’ve successfully adjusted to changes in past roles and how this flexibility can benefit BDO LLP in the short term.
✨Gather Your Technical Tools
Familiarise yourself with commonly used compliance tools or software, as they might come up in the interview. If you've used tools for risk assessments or compliance tracking, mention those and be ready to discuss how they can streamline processes at BDO LLP.
