At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead transaction monitoring and fraud prevention strategies in a fast-paced fintech environment.
- Company: Join one of the UK's fastest-growing fintech payments businesses.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership role, and opportunities for innovation.
- Other info: Dynamic role with significant exposure across various teams and excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on financial crime prevention while shaping the future of payments.
- Qualifications: Experience in payments, AML, CTF, and strong leadership skills required.
** Must have Acquiring and/or Issuing experience **
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join one of the UK's fastest-growing fintech payments businesses.
This is a senior leadership role where you'll take ownership of the organisation's transaction monitoring and fraud prevention framework, helping protect the business and its customers from financial crime while supporting continued growth and innovation.
This is an opportunity to make a genuine impact within a high-growth, technology-driven payments business where you'll lead a high-performing team and have the autonomy to shape strategy, influence senior decision-making and build a best-in-class transaction monitoring function.
The Opportunity
As Head of Transaction Monitoring & Fraud, you will be responsible for defining and delivering the firm's transaction monitoring strategy across fraud prevention, AML/CTF, sanctions screening and payment scheme compliance.
You'll combine strategic leadership with hands-on operational oversight, ensuring monitoring controls remain effective, proportionate and scalable as the business continues to expand.
This role offers significant exposure across the organisation, partnering with Technology, Risk, Compliance, Operations and Product teams, while acting as a key contact for regulators, auditors, card schemes and external partners.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and evolve the end-to-end transaction monitoring and fraud risk framework.
- Own governance for alerts, investigations, escalations and decision‑making, ensuring consistency and robust risk management.
- Drive continuous improvement through monitoring rule optimisation, effectiveness testing and data‑led insights.
- Develop fraud and financial crime typologies across acquiring and digital payments, including merchant fraud, card‑not‑present, account takeover and emerging threats.
- Build meaningful MI, KPIs and KRIs that provide actionable insight to senior leadership.
- Partner with Technology and Data teams to enhance automation, analytics and monitoring capability.
- Provide monitoring and fraud expertise to new products, customer onboarding and higher‑risk business initiatives.
- Ensure compliance with UK regulatory requirements, industry standards and card scheme obligations.
- Lead responses to audits, regulatory reviews and control remediation programmes.
- Act as the senior escalation point for complex fraud and financial crime investigations.Inspire, coach and develop a high‑performing specialist team while fostering a strong risk and compliance culture.
About You
We're looking for an experienced financial crime leader with a strong background in payments, acquiring or fintech.
You'll bring:
- Deep knowledge of AML, CTF, sanctions and fraud risk within payments.
- Strong expertise in transaction monitoring systems, rule calibration and alert optimisation.
- Experience working with regulators, auditors and payment schemes.
- A proven track record of leading teams and driving operational excellence.
- Excellent stakeholder management and the ability to communicate complex issues with clarity.
- A passion for innovation, continuous improvement and building scalable control frameworks.
Head of Transaction Monitoring employer: CRS
Join a leading specialist property lender in London, where you'll thrive in a collaborative and high-performing environment dedicated to your professional growth. With a strong focus on Development Finance, this role offers you the chance to engage with diverse projects while enjoying a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance. Benefit from genuine career progression opportunities and be part of a team that values your contributions and expertise.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Transaction Monitoring
✨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 CRS. 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 Transaction Monitoring
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 CRS.
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 CRS'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 CRS
✨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 CRS.
✨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 CRS 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 CRS 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.
