Director of Research & Insights - London

Director of Research & Insights - London

London Full-Time 80000 - 100000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Flagright

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead research and insights to position Flagright as a thought leader in financial crime compliance.
  • Company: Join an innovative AI startup transforming financial crime compliance globally.
  • Benefits: Equity from day one, direct leadership exposure, and a low-bureaucracy environment.
  • Other info: Fast-paced, high-performance culture with opportunities for continuous learning.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in the fight against financial crime with a top-tier team.
  • Qualifications: Expertise in AML and financial crime, strong research and writing skills required.

The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.

About Flagright: Flagright is an AI operating system for financial crime compliance used globally by Fortune 500 companies, large banks, fintechs, and fast-growing startups. Flagright enables real-time risk detection, automated investigations, and intelligent decisioning, helping compliance teams operate at their full potential in the fight against financial crime.

Role overview: Our Marketing team drives our brand presence across target markets. From customer engagements to integrated campaigns, they champion Flagright’s story, drive pipeline acceleration, and help customers discover our value through strategic, impactful programs.

We are hiring a Director of Research & Insights to lead how Flagright produces and publishes industry insights, positioning us as a trusted thought leader in financial crime and compliance. You will own the research agenda end to end, identifying key themes, conducting deep analysis, and translating findings into high-quality reports and perspectives that shape industry conversations.

You will work closely with Product, Sales, customers, and industry experts to research emerging trends, regulatory developments, and evolving risks across financial institutions and fintechs. You will turn these insights into clear, data-driven narratives and uphold a high standard of rigor, clarity, and originality in everything we publish.

Key responsibilities:

  • Define and own Flagright’s research and insights agenda, ensuring topics are timely, relevant, and aligned with industry developments and commercial priorities.
  • Conduct in-depth research on market trends, regulatory developments, and emerging risks, synthesizing complex information into clear, actionable insights.
  • Write, produce and publish high-quality thought leadership content and materials, including reports, whitepapers, and executive perspectives that position Flagright as an industry authority.
  • Act as editor-in-chief for Flagright’s flagship publications, setting the editorial vision, maintaining consistency in quality, and ensuring all outputs meet a high standard of rigor and clarity.
  • Translate product capabilities, customer experiences, and market signals into compelling, data-driven narratives that support positioning.
  • Engage with internal teams, customers, partners, and industry experts to gather primary insights and validate research perspectives.
  • Establish and maintain a high standard of analytical rigor, clarity, and originality across all published content.
  • Build and scale internal research processes, frameworks, and best practices to ensure consistency and quality over time.

Who we are looking for:

  • Proven subject matter expertise in AML, financial crime, or compliance, with a strong understanding of industry trends, regulatory frameworks, and emerging risks.
  • Demonstrated experience producing and publishing high-quality thought leadership content such as reports, whitepapers, or industry analyses.
  • Strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to synthesize complex topics into clear, structured, and insightful narratives.
  • Experience interviewing industry experts, customers, and stakeholders to extract meaningful insights and incorporate them into compelling content.
  • Excellent writing and editorial judgment, with a track record of creating content that is both authoritative and engaging for enterprise or technical audiences.
  • Experience owning or contributing to a research or editorial agenda, with the ability to identify timely and relevant topics.
  • Ability to translate product capabilities and customer insights into compelling positioning and strategic narratives.
  • Comfortable working cross-functionally with Product, Sales, and Marketing teams in a fast-paced environment.
  • High standards for rigor, accuracy, and originality, with strong attention to detail.
  • Self-directed and proactive, with the ability to take ownership of initiatives from concept to publication.
  • Based in or near London with right to work in the UK (visa sponsorship not available).

Preferred experience:

  • IRS special agents, FBI, Interpol, FCA, Scotland Yard, FinCEN, NCA, or other financial crime investigators.
  • Fincrime Leadership experience at a bank.

What we offer:

  • Direct exposure to leadership.
  • Influence how financial institutions manage financial crime risk as a global thought leader.
  • Product with clear, real-world differentiation.
  • High-bar environment focused on execution, learning, and continuous improvement.
  • Get equity from day 1 at a Y Combinator startup.
  • Work alongside a highly competent, top-tier team, including professionals from Y Combinator, ex AWS, and Palantir.
  • Enjoy a low-bureaucracy environment, minimal meetings, and an asynchronous communications culture.

Director of Research & Insights - London employer: Flagright

Flagright is an exceptional employer that fosters a high-performance culture where individual ownership and direct access to leadership are paramount. Located in London, we offer our employees the opportunity to influence global financial crime compliance while working alongside a top-tier team in a low-bureaucracy environment. With a strong focus on continuous learning and improvement, we provide meaningful growth opportunities and equity from day one, making Flagright a rewarding place to build your career.

Flagright

Contact Details:

Flagright Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Director of Research & Insights - London

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

Tip Number 2

Show off your expertise! Create content that showcases your knowledge in financial crime and compliance. Whether it’s a blog post, a LinkedIn article, or even a video, let your insights shine. This not only builds your personal brand but also positions you as a thought leader in the field.

Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews like it’s game day! Research Flagright thoroughly—know their products, values, and recent news. Be ready to discuss how your skills align with their mission and how you can contribute to their research agenda. Confidence is key!

Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team. Don’t forget to follow up after applying; a little persistence goes a long way!

We think you need these skills to ace Director of Research & Insights - London

Research Skills
Analytical Skills
Writing Skills
Editorial Judgment
Thought Leadership
Data Synthesis
Market Trend Analysis

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Director of Research & Insights role. Highlight your experience in financial crime compliance and any relevant research you've conducted. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at Flagright!

Showcase Your Writing Skills:Since this role involves producing high-quality thought leadership content, include samples of your writing or links to published work. We love seeing clear, engaging narratives that demonstrate your ability to communicate complex ideas effectively.

Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We appreciate candidates who are genuine and can express their opinions confidently. Share your thoughts on industry trends or challenges in financial crime compliance to show us your passion!

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. This way, you’ll ensure it reaches the right people and stands out in our system. Plus, it’s super easy and straightforward!

How to prepare for a job interview at Flagright

Know Your Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of financial crime compliance and the latest industry trends. Familiarise yourself with Flagright's products and how they fit into the market. This will help you speak confidently about how your expertise aligns with their needs.

Showcase Your Research Skills

Prepare to discuss your previous research projects in detail. Be ready to explain your process for identifying key themes and translating complex data into actionable insights. Highlight any high-quality reports or thought leadership content you've produced that demonstrates your analytical prowess.

Engage with Examples

Think of specific examples where you've successfully collaborated with cross-functional teams, especially in fast-paced environments. Share stories that illustrate your ability to work with Product, Sales, and Marketing teams to create compelling narratives from customer insights.

Be Authentic and Assertive

Flagright values strong opinions and the ability to defend them. Don’t shy away from sharing your views during the interview. Be prepared to discuss how you handle ambiguity and rejection, as well as how you maintain high standards in your work.