CDD Operations Manager – High Risk Vertical Onboarding

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Make your mark at one of the biggest names in payments.

We’re looking for a Customer Due Diligence (CDD) Operations Manager – High Risk Vertical to join our ever evolving Enterprise Customer Due Diligence team and help shape the future of global commerce.

• What You’ll Own
• Leadership and Team Management
• Develop and mentor a high‑performing team specialising in end‑to‑end customer due diligence across complex verticals including payment facilitators, marketplaces, cryptocurrency, gambling and money transmission services.
• Establish clear performance frameworks, measurable objectives and structured career development plans to support capability growth and succession planning.
• Set the tone for a strong culture of risk awareness, accountability and collaboration, balancing regulatory compliance, risk appetite and customer experience.
• Implement effective capacity planning and workload allocation aligned to risk profiles, operational demand and team capability.
• Proactively monitor workflows to ensure timely throughput, effective prioritisation and appropriate escalation of issues.
• Identify capability gaps, emerging risks and improvement opportunities, developing targeted training programmes to enhance expertise.
• Stakeholder Management
• Build and maintain strong, trusted relationships with internal and external stakeholders to drive collaboration and alignment.
• Represent the CDD function in internal and external forums, advocating for robust due diligence practices and building industry relationships.
• Influence and negotiate with stakeholders to deliver CDD objectives while balancing business priorities and operational needs.
• Partner with cross‑functional teams to improve processes, enhance productivity, drive cost‑effectiveness and strengthen the customer experience.
• Global Due Diligence and Financial Crime Programme
• Lead day‑to‑day execution of the Global Due Diligence programme, ensuring adherence to relevant regulations, policies and standards.
• Maintain oversight of emerging risks and issues, proactively managing them through identification, escalation and resolution.
• Continuous Improvement
• Promote a continuous improvement mindset across the CDD Operations team to achieve optimal efficiency, quality and productivity.
• Identify and implement process optimisation opportunities to reduce customer friction, enhance user experience and deliver operational efficiencies.
• Support and embed change initiatives effectively, guiding teams through transitions to ensure sustainable improvements.
• Stay informed on industry trends, regulatory developments and best practices to ensure processes remain current, scalable and effective.
• Governance and Oversight
• Oversee day‑to‑day team performance, ensuring accurate execution of CDD processes and timely issue resolution.
• Produce and analyse management information to support decision‑making and identify key trends and risks.
• Ensure effective oversight of team pipelines, controls and success metrics.
• What You’ll Bring
• A demonstrable understanding of high‑risk verticals, their associated risks and required application of controls, including but not limited to payment facilitators, marketplaces, cryptocurrency, gaming and gambling and money service businesses.
• Minimum of 5 years’ direct experience managing a CDD/KYC team, including performance management, mentoring and operational oversight.
• Strong understanding of AML/KYC regulatory frameworks across EMEA and their practical application within CDD operations, including local financial authorities and global standards.
• Proven experience in leading CDD/KYC operations within a financial institution, ensuring due diligence processes align with local and international best practices.
• Ability to assess customer risk, oversee enhanced due diligence (EDD) cases and ensure CDD processes are executed efficiently.
• Experience working closely with compliance, risk, and front‑office teams, ensuring CDD aligns with regulatory expectations while supporting business objectives.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with internal teams, regulators and external partners.
• Experience using AML/KYC systems and tools (e. g., Actimize, Orbis, Fenergo) and leveraging data‑driven insights to improve operational efficiency.
• Ability to manage high workloads, competing priorities and evolving regulatory expectations in a fast‑paced environment.
• It’s a Bonus If You Have
• Experience in payment services.
• Relevant professional qualifications such as CAMS, ICA or equivalent financial crime qualifications.
• Familiarity with transaction monitoring, sanctions screening and risk‑based approaches to CDD.
• Experience handling regulatory audits or internal reviews related to customer due diligence.
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