Senior Manager, Financial Crime Policy and Governance in Cardiff

Alternatively, Grant Thornton At Grant Thornton we do things differently - looking to the future, driving ambitious growth and pioneering positive change in our industry. Providing audit, tax and advisory services, we empower clients through strategic insight, curiosity, and genuine partnership. And we empower our people with real opportunity, an inclusive culture and work life balance. A true alternative. With over 5,000 people in the UK, and a presence in 150 global markets, we're on an ambitious journey, from great to exceptional, and we need the best people to help us achieve our potential. And with that comes the opportunity to help redefine what our industry looks like, and what you want from your career.

Job Description:

MORE THAN YOU EXPECTED Grant Thornton UK LLP is part of a global network of independent audit, tax and advisory firms, made up of some 58,000 people in over 135 countries. We're a team of independent thinkers who put quality, inclusion and integrity first. All around the world we bring a different experience to our clients. A better experience. One that delivers the expertise they need in a way that goes beyond. Personal, proactive, and agile. That's Grant Thornton.

NEW GROUND WON’T BREAK ITSELF.

Every day our teams help people in businesses and communities to do what is right and achieve their goals. Our Financial Crime Policy and Governance team sits at the heart of the firm's Financial Crime and Compliance (Client Acceleration Services) function, owning the policies, frameworks and governance that keep the firm and its subsidiary undertakings ahead of an evolving financial crime risk and regulatory landscape. We work closely with colleagues in the wider Financial Crime team and the business to complete the Financial Crime Enterprise-Wide Risk Assessments, deliver Financial Crime Training, and engage directly with regulators, industry bodies and the Nominated Officer on the firm's most sensitive financial crime matters. We are investing in experienced leadership to strengthen policy, training and governance as the Function continues to grow. We’re happy to talk flexible working and consider reduced hours and job shares, we’ll support you to balance your work and life.

A look into the role

As a Senior Manager, Financial Crime Policy and Governance within our Financial Crime and Compliance (Client Acceleration Services) team, you will:

• Own and maintain the firm's AML Policy, Sanctions Policy, Anti-Bribery and Corruption Standards, Anti-Tax Evasion Standards and Anti-Fraud Standards, together with associated frameworks and guidance, ensuring they reflect the Money Laundering Regulations 2017, the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, the Terrorism Act 2000, applicable sanctions legislation, the Bribery Act 2010, the Criminal Finances Act 2017, the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 and guidance from OFSI, OTSI, JMLSG and ICAEW.
• Lead horizon scanning across AML, sanctions, ABC, tax evasion and fraud, translating findings into timely policy and control updates and communicating changes clearly across the firm and to subsidiary undertakings.
• Lead the relevant components of the Enterprise-Wide Risk Assessment, providing specialist input on inherent risk, control effectiveness and residual risk rating, and own the financial crime controls library in liaison with the Financial Crime Compliance Assurance team.
• Coordinate and manage the firm-wide financial crime training programme, including mandatory new joiner and refresher training, and approve subsidiary training to ensure consistency with group standards.
• Manage the financial crime governance committee secretariat, and support the Head in preparing regulatory reporting, committee papers and management information for senior stakeholders.
• Act as a source of specialist advice on AML, sanctions, ABC, tax evasion, fraud and competition law matters, and support the Nominated Officer on SAR-related matters, including liaison with the NCA and other FIUs as required.
• Take the lead on specific risk areas, projects or initiatives as agreed with the Head of Financial Crime Policy and Governance as the Function grows and provide cross-cover for colleagues across the Function's accountabilities to maintain continuity and resilience.

Knowing you’re right for us

Joining us as a Senior Manager, Financial Crime Policy and Governance, the minimum criteria you’ll need is significant experience developing and maintaining financial crime policy, frameworks or governance within professional services, financial services or a comparable regulated environment, together with a strong working knowledge of UK AML, sanctions, anti-bribery and corruption, tax evasion and fraud legislation. It would be great if you had some of the following skills, but don’t worry if you don’t tick every box, we’ll help you develop along the way.

• Strong working knowledge of the Money Laundering Regulations 2017, JMLSG guidance and the wider financial crime legislative framework, with familiarity with the AML Guidelines for the Accountancy Sector is an advantage.
• Demonstrable experience contributing to or leading an Enterprise-Wide Risk Assessment, including inherent risk, control effectiveness and residual risk rating.
• Experience designing and delivering financial crime training programmes across a large or multi-jurisdictional organisation.
• Strong stakeholder management and drafting skills, with experience supporting governance committees, regulatory reporting, senior management information, and confident use of Excel and MI reporting tools.
• Comfortable using Claude or similar AI tools to support drafting, research and analysis.
• Working knowledge of SAR handling and liaison with the NCA or other FIUs would be an advantage.
• Engagement with industry and regulatory forums, such as the ICAEW Economic Crime Sub-Committee, would be a distinct advantage.
• A specialism in sanctions or fraud, whether gained in professional services, financial services, law enforcement or a regulatory body, would count strongly in a candidate’s favour.

Knowing we’re right for you

Embracing uniqueness, the culture at Grant Thornton thrives on the contributions of all our people, we never settle for what is easy, we look beyond to deliver the right thing, for everyone. Building an inclusive culture, where we value difference and respect our colleagues helps our people to perform at the best of their ability and realise their potential. Our open and accessible culture means you’ll interact with leaders who are interested in you and everything you bring to our firm. The things that set you apart, we value them. That’s why we give you the freedom to bring your whole self to work and pursue your passions inside and outside of work. We’re also committed to supporting you through different life stages, with a range of family friendly and wider leave policies. You can find full details of our reward, benefits and leave policies on our website: Reward and benefits.

Beyond the job

Life is more than work. The things you do, and the people you’re with outside of work matter, that’s why we’re happy to look at flexible working options for all our roles, and we’ll always do our best to keep your work and life in balance. From secondments, to fundraising for local charities, or investing in entrepreneurs in the developing world, you’ll be giving back to society. It’s that drive to do the right thing that runs through our every move, grounded in our firm’s values – purposefully driven, actively curious and candid but kind. We’re looking for people who want to contribute, spark fresh ideas and go beyond expectations. People who want to be able to proudly do what’s right, for the firm, our clients, our people and themselves. It’s how it should be. #LI-SB1

The things you do, and the people you're with outside of work matter, that's why we're happy to look at flexible working options for all our roles, and we'll always do our best to keep your work and life in balance. Whether that's working reduced contracted hours, working your hours over a shorter period or utilising our 'how we work' framework. Everyone has an immediate right to request a flexible arrangement through our flexible working policy. Read more about our approach to flexible working.