CDD Manager, Financial Crime Risk, Belfast
CDD Manager, Financial Crime Risk, Belfast

CDD Manager, Financial Crime Risk, Belfast

Belfast Full-Time 55000 - 65000 ÂŁ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
EY

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a dynamic team in Financial Crime Risk Management, ensuring top-notch KYC processes.
  • Company: Join EY, a global leader dedicated to building a better working world.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive rewards, flexible working, and extensive learning opportunities.
  • Other info: Embrace a culture of inclusion and continuous improvement in a supportive environment.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in financial crime prevention while developing your leadership skills.
  • Qualifications: 5+ years in AML/KYC/CDD with strong people leadership experience preferred.

The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 ÂŁ per year.

Financial Crime Risk Management — Central CDD Team Manager (Level 3)

Location: Belfast (Hybrid)

Function: Risk Management

Contract: Permanent

Grade: Manager (L3)

About The Role

We’re seeking a proven Financial Crime Team Manager to lead a high-performing Central CDD sub-team in Belfast across end‑to‑end KYC (onboarding, periodic and event‑driven review). You’ll combine deep AML/KYC/CDD technical expertise with outstanding people leadership, shaping our controls, uplifting capability, and delivering high‑quality outcomes at pace.

The opportunity

  • Lead and scale a Belfast‑based Central CDD team delivering risk‑based due diligence across complex client portfolios.
  • Be the day‑to‑day operational owner for quality, productivity, SLAs and escalations, with direct exposure to senior business stakeholders.
  • Translate evolving AML/CTF and sanctions requirements into clear procedures, playbooks, and training.
  • Drive continuous improvement—optimising processes, policy and systems to enhance control effectiveness and colleague experience.

Key responsibilities

Leadership & operations
  • Lead, coach and develop Analysts/Senior Analysts; set goals, run regular 1:1s, and build a culture of accountability, inclusion and learning.
  • Own workflow, case allocation and capacity planning to meet SLAs while maintaining consistently high quality (QA/QC).
  • Produce and interpret MI/KRIs; use data to identify trends, remediate issues, and inform decisions.
Subject matter expertise & decisioning
  • Act as the first‑line CDD/EDD SME—providing pragmatic, risk‑based guidance on complex cases and approving escalations in line with delegation and policy.
  • Operationalise regulation: interpret AML/CTF, sanctions and industry guidance and convert into controls, procedures and training materials for large‑scale operations.
  • Oversee E2E KYC across simplified, standard and enhanced due diligence, ensuring appropriate risk‑rating, corroboration and recordkeeping.
Complex risk coverage
  • Lead due diligence on complex entity types (e.g., SPVs, Trusts, Foundations, Collective Investment Schemes/Funds) including purpose, control/UBO mapping and jurisdictional risk.
  • Set clear standards for PEP identification and classification, and ensure appropriate approval, monitoring and refresh cycles.
  • Provide expert oversight of sanctions & embargo compliance and related screening outcomes (sanctions, PEP, adverse media) including dispositioning and false‑positive reduction strategies.
Stakeholder management & governance
  • Build strong partnerships with Service Lines, 2nd Line Financial Crime, Sanctions/MLRO teams and other control functions; manage issues to resolution.
  • Maintain audit‑ready documentation; support internal/external reviews and thematic deep‑dives.
  • Contribute to policy reviews and change forums; champion operational readiness and colleague upskilling for new/updated requirements.
Continuous improvement
  • Identify and embed process efficiencies, automation opportunities and control enhancements to improve effectiveness and colleague experience.

Skills & attributes for success

  • People leadership: proven ability to inspire, develop and performance‑manage teams; creates psychological safety and high standards.
  • Technical depth: authoritative knowledge of AML/CTF norms and how to apply them pragmatically in a large, matrixed organisation.
  • Judgement: confident risk‑based decision‑making with clear, well‑reasoned rationales on complex, time‑sensitive cases.
  • Operational excellence: strong control mindset, MI literacy, continuous improvement orientation and change delivery experience.
  • Communication & influence: clear written/oral communication tailored to senior stakeholders; able to challenge constructively and secure buy‑in.

To qualify for the role

  • 5+ years’ experience in AML/KYC/CDD within a regulated environment, including end‑to‑end KYC (onboarding, periodic, EDD); 2+ years people leadership preferred.
  • Deep understanding of AML/CTF regulations and industry guidance; confident interpreting and operationalising requirements for large‑scale teams.
  • Proven experience handling all risk ratings and diligence levels, including high‑risk/EDD portfolios and approvals.
  • Expertise across complex structures (SPVs, Trusts, Foundations, CIS/Funds), UBO mapping and jurisdictional risk assessment.
  • Strong knowledge of PEP frameworks (identification, classification, approvals, monitoring).
  • Practical exposure to sanctions & embargo regimes and screening (sanctions/PEP/adverse media) with effective triage and escalation practices.
  • Experience building/embedding financial crime processes and controls in a large, matrixed business.
  • Desirable certifications: ICA, ACAMS or equivalent.

What we offer

A competitive total‑rewards package, flexible/hybrid working, extensive learning (including professional qualifications), access to employee networks, and a supportive environment focused on growth and wellbeing.

Inclusion & flexibility

We’re committed to an inclusive culture and welcome flexible working arrangements that enable excellent client service and a sustainable work–life balance.

CDD Manager, Financial Crime Risk, Belfast employer: EY

At EY, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture in Belfast that fosters professional growth and inclusivity. Our commitment to employee development is reflected in our extensive learning opportunities and flexible working arrangements, ensuring that you can thrive both personally and professionally while contributing to meaningful projects in Financial Crime Risk Management.
EY

Contact Detail:

EY Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land CDD Manager, Financial Crime Risk, Belfast

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at EY through LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by diving deep into EY's values and recent projects. Show us that you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in how you can contribute to building a better working world.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your STAR technique for answering competency questions. We want to hear about your past experiences in a structured way—Situation, Task, Action, Result. It’ll help you stand out during those tricky interview moments.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and shows us that you’re keen on the role. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate why you’re the perfect fit.

We think you need these skills to ace CDD Manager, Financial Crime Risk, Belfast

AML/KYC/CDD Expertise
People Leadership
Operational Excellence
Risk-Based Decision-Making
Communication Skills
Data Analysis
Process Improvement
Stakeholder Management
Regulatory Interpretation
PEP Framework Knowledge
Sanctions Compliance
Quality Assurance
Capacity Planning
Training Development
Continuous Improvement

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of CDD Manager. Highlight your experience in AML/KYC/CDD and any leadership roles you've held. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about financial crime risk management and how you can lead our Central CDD team. Be genuine and let your personality come through.

Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples of how you've improved processes or led teams to success. We love seeing quantifiable results that demonstrate your impact.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you're keen on joining our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at EY

✨Know Your AML/KYC Inside Out

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of AML, KYC, and CDD regulations. Be prepared to discuss how you've applied these in previous roles, especially in complex cases. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the terms but can operationalise them effectively.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a CDD Manager, you'll need to lead a team. Think of examples where you've successfully managed or developed a team. Be ready to talk about how you set goals, foster accountability, and create an inclusive culture. This will demonstrate your people leadership capabilities.

✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect questions that put you in real-life situations related to financial crime risk management. Practice articulating your thought process when making risk-based decisions, especially under pressure. This will highlight your judgement and operational excellence.

✨Engage with Stakeholders

Be ready to discuss how you've built relationships with various stakeholders in your past roles. Share specific examples of how you’ve managed issues to resolution and contributed to policy changes. This will illustrate your communication skills and ability to influence others.

CDD Manager, Financial Crime Risk, Belfast
EY
Location: Belfast

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