Overview
In this role you will lead a Line 1 Risk & Controls team to design, implement and continuously improve quality controls across financial crime and consumer duty processes. You’ll ensure effective assurance, calibration of FC models, and escalation of issues, while partnering with stakeholders to optimise customer outcomes and reduce risk. The role blends control design, MI reporting, and team leadership in a regulated environment, with a focus on quality, integrity and continuous improvement. This is a senior, impact-driven position in a hybrid setup based in Redhill.
Pay / Benefits
- Competitive salary dependent on experience
- 30 days holiday plus bank holidays
- Annual bonus based on personal and company performance
- Car allowance
- Private medical cover
- Flexible benefit allowance (500) and generous pension contributions
Responsibilities
- Design, implement and execute risk-based Quality Controls across customer and third-party journeys (onboarding, due diligence, screening, transaction monitoring, enhanced due diligence, gifts & hospitality controls)
- Develop targeted agile controls, gap analyses, and thematic reviews; support FC model calibration (Transaction Monitoring, Screening, Customer Risk Assessment)
- Ensure controls effectively detect, prevent or mitigate Financial Crime, Fraud and Consumer Duty risks; update procedures with policy changes
- Raise, manage, and track dispensations, issues, waivers and breaches; embed Management Information to evidence QC outcomes
- Collaborate with stakeholders to identify improvements that minimise financial crime risk while maintaining customer outcomes
- Perform design and operating effectiveness testing of FC controls in Heracles; pursue continuous control improvement including AI models
- Lead and manage teams and SLAs; provide training and coaching across the business
- Promote a culture of compliance, consumer protection and customer-centric control design
- Participate in operational reviews with Joint Ventures; coordinate remediation and risk-based retesting
- Identify root causes and drive corrective actions; lead calibration sessions for consistent scoring methodologies
- Lead or support projects such as policy gap analysis and new system/product SME input
- Build and maintain relationships with internal stakeholders; represent QC in strategic discussions and decision-making
- Produce Management Information to enable risk identification and action; influence across levels
- Demonstrate integrity, proactivity and the ability to work under pressure in a regulated setting
- Attend external events as needed and adhere to Consumer Duty commitments
Key requirements
- Well-developed understanding of motor finance and consumer credit products (desirable)
- Assurance methodologies (scoping, sampling, testing, report writing) desirable
- Experience designing and implementing Quality Controls across AML, ABC, Sanctions, FOTE
- Ability to make evidence-based risk decisions
- Experience interacting with senior stakeholders and leading a team
- Significant experience with regulatory environment in financial services
- Experience using AI tools (ChatGPT, Claude) within FC controls desirable
- Financial Crime qualification essential
- Degree level education desirable
- Strong communication and negotiation skills
- Ability to deliver to tight deadlines and manage conflicting objectives
- Customer-centric approach and consumer duty awareness
- Strong PC skills and ability to generate meaningful MI
- Ability to work under pressure
- Understanding of Consumer Duty interplay with Financial Crime and Fraud
- Control design and change management experience
- leadership and people management
- influencing and stakeholder management
- analytical thinking
- Quality Controls design and execution
- FC model calibration (Transaction Monitoring, Screening, CAR)
- AI model development and usage in controls
SCUK Risk & Controls Manager (Financial Crime) in Redhill employer: Grupo Santander
At Santander Corporate & Investment Banking, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values diversity and fosters a collaborative work culture. Located in the heart of London, our team enjoys a competitive benefits package, including generous holiday allowances, tailored pension contributions, and comprehensive healthcare options, all designed to support both personal and professional growth. We empower our employees to thrive by providing opportunities for development and encouraging innovative thinking, making us a rewarding place to build a meaningful career in global banking.
