At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team in managing financial crime risk and ensuring compliance.
- Company: Join EY, a global leader in building a better working world.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive rewards, and extensive learning opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of an inclusive culture that values growth and wellbeing.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in financial crime risk management while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in AML/KYC/CDD with strong people leadership experience preferred.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
At EY, we’re all in to shape your future with confidence. We’ll help you succeed in a globally connected powerhouse of diverse teams and take your career wherever you want it to go. Join EY and help to build a better working world.
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, you’ll have:
- 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.
How to apply
If you meet the criteria and are excited to help shape the future of Central CDD in Belfast, apply now with your CV. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted to discuss next steps.
CDD Manager, Financial Crime Risk, Belfast employer: FP&A
Contact Detail:
FP&A 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 your connections on LinkedIn or even in person. Let them know you're on the hunt for a CDD Manager role at EY. You never know who might have the inside scoop or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by brushing up on your AML/KYC knowledge. Make sure you can talk confidently about your experience and how it relates to the role. Practice common interview questions and think of examples that showcase your leadership skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just wait for job openings to pop up! Keep an eye on the EY careers page and apply directly through our website. This shows initiative and can sometimes get you noticed faster than the competition.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in the interviewer's mind. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate why you’re the perfect fit for the team.
We think you need these skills to ace CDD Manager, Financial Crime Risk, Belfast
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the CDD Manager role. Highlight your experience in AML/KYC/CDD and any leadership roles you've held. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about financial crime risk management and how you can contribute to our team. Keep it concise but impactful!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves leading a team, be sure to highlight your people management experience. Share examples of how you've inspired and developed teams in the past—this will really catch our eye!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team at EY!
How to prepare for a job interview at FP&A
✨Know Your AML/KYC Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of AML/CTF regulations and KYC processes. Be prepared to discuss how you've applied these in previous roles, especially in complex cases. This will show that you can operationalise regulations effectively.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a CDD Manager, you'll need to lead a team. Think of examples where you've inspired or developed others. Be ready to talk about how you set goals, run 1:1s, and foster a culture of accountability and learning within your team.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your judgement and decision-making skills in high-pressure situations. Prepare specific examples of how you've handled complex risk assessments or escalated issues, and be clear about the rationale behind your decisions.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Demonstrate your ability to build strong partnerships with various teams. Think of instances where you've managed issues to resolution or contributed to policy reviews. Highlight your communication skills and how you've tailored your approach to different stakeholders.