Onboarding Business Lead (KYC/CDD)

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.

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.

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.

You will be part of our Onboarding Client Experience team, a specialist function which supports our onboarding activities, with a particular focus on complex, high-risk and commercially important engagements. The team plays a vital role in ensuring that Grant Thornton’s professional, ethical and regulatory obligations are met without compromising commercial momentum.

As an Onboarding Business Lead (KYC/CDD) within our Quality & Risk / Centralised Onboarding team, you will act as a trusted risk partner and strategic enabler for the firm. This is not a box-ticking role; it requires a sophisticated understanding of regulatory requirements (especially KYC/CDD), contractual and commercial considerations, and the ability to apply independent judgement to complex situations. Strong verbal communication is essential.

Your accountabilities span three areas:

• Client Outreach: Lead the Client outreach process to gather required CDD information and documentation, including direct conversations with client contacts. Apply independent, high-level judgement to determine the sufficiency and credibility of information provided by the Client against the firm’s CDD Standard. Manage complex ownership structures and support enhanced due diligence where required. Formulate and record clear risk rationales for CDD/EDD conclusions and approvals.
• Priority Client Support: Act as a concierge-style Onboarding advisor, providing bespoke operational Onboarding advice for larger, more complex or priority cases. Troubleshoot Onboarding bottlenecks by suggesting structural modifications or alternative evidence routes.
• Risk & Compliance: Act as a subject matter expert for client-facing Partners and Directors, advising on the practicalities of Onboarding complex and commercially important engagements. Provide a holistic view of risk, balancing contracting requirements, commercial viability, insurance nuances, financial crime prevention, regulatory obligations, and the firm’s ethical standards.

Joining us as an Onboarding Business Lead (KYC/CDD), the minimum criteria you’ll need are:

• Substantial hands-on experience delivering client onboarding (including KYC/CDD) within professional services, banking or financial services.
• Proven ability to write and defend risk rationales and make risk-based decisions with confidence.
• Demonstrable experience of engaging with clients/customers and stakeholders through strong written and verbal communication skills.

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.