Compliance Specialist - Client Risk Oversight Team

Compliance Specialist - Client Risk Oversight Team

Department: Compliance

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: London

Reporting To: Anthony Besford-Land

Description

Overview of the role

The Compliance Specialist supports the Client Risk Oversight team by providing Second Line of Defence (2LoD) oversight, quality assurance and challenge across client onboarding, ongoing monitoring and the financial crime framework. The role reviews KYC/CDD/EDD activities, supports high-risk client oversight, control testing and compliance reporting, helping ensure First Line activities align with IFX policies, risk appetite and regulatory requirements. Working closely with senior team members, the role provides oversight of higher‑risk corporate, institutional, fintech, PSP, EMI and intermediary client relationships while developing technical expertise within a 2LoD environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide independent 2LoD review and challenge of 1LoD KYC, onboarding and ongoing monitoring activities.
• Assess KYC/CDD files, client risk ratings, ownership structures, screening results and source of funds/wealth to ensure financial crime risks are appropriately identified and mitigated.
• Identify control weaknesses or inconsistencies, escalate where required, and ensure activities align with IFX's risk appetite, policies and regulatory expectations.
• Conduct QA reviews of onboarding and periodic review files to verify documentation, AML/KYC compliance, risk assessments and screening quality.
• Document evidence-based findings, identify recurring issues and recommend improvements to control effectiveness.
• Support remediation tracking and contribute to QA management information, reporting on outcomes, trends and exceptions.
• Review high-risk client onboarding, ongoing monitoring and EDD cases, assessing ownership, business models, jurisdictional exposure and source of funds/wealth.
• Prepare clear risk summaries, recommendations and supporting rationale for senior review and governance.
• Escalate material risks or out-of-appetite concerns and maintain audit-ready records of decisions and follow-up actions.
• Support onboarding and ongoing oversight of intermediary, fintech, PSP, EMI and other higher-risk client relationships.
• Review client AML frameworks, governance, due diligence standards and operational controls to assess financial crime risk.
• Document findings, recommend risk mitigations and monitor agreed remediation or ongoing oversight actions.
• Perform control testing across the financial crime framework to assess the effectiveness of 1LoD and 2LoD controls.
• Document testing outcomes, findings, root causes and recommended corrective actions.
• Support thematic reviews and identify opportunities to strengthen policies, procedures and monitoring controls.
• Prepare evidence-based risk summaries, escalation papers and governance materials for senior management and committees.
• Produce management information on QA outcomes, remediation, control issues and emerging financial crime risks.
• Support suspicious activity assessments and reporting in line with internal governance and regulatory requirements.
• Support the development and enhancement of AML/KYC policies, procedures, QA frameworks and control documentation.
• Provide feedback to improve operational effectiveness and ensure alignment with regulatory requirements and risk appetite.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and implementation of regulatory or framework changes.
• Provide day-to-day AML/KYC compliance advice and guidance to operational and business teams.
• Support the delivery of training and awareness on financial crime risks, including sanctions, PEPs, EDD and higher-risk indicators.
• Promote a strong compliance culture while escalating complex or higher-risk matters where appropriate.
• Build effective relationships across 1LoD, 2LoD and business functions while maintaining independent oversight.
• Communicate findings, recommendations and risk issues clearly and professionally to stakeholders.
• Support timely resolution of issues and remediation activities, exercising sound judgement on escalation where necessary.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Essential

• Experience in AML/CTF, financial crime compliance, KYC/CDD/EDD and client risk assessments within a regulated financial services environment.
• Strong knowledge of sanctions, PEP and adverse media screening, financial crime risks, and risk-based decision-making.
• Excellent analytical, organisational and written communication skills, with the ability to identify control weaknesses, manage competing priorities and produce clear, evidence-based documentation.

• Experience in a Second Line of Defence (2LoD) compliance, QA, assurance or financial crime oversight role.
• Exposure to higher-risk client types, including corporate, institutional, fintech, PSP, EMI, MSB and intermediary relationships, with experience in EDD and high-risk reviews.
• Knowledge of compliance monitoring, control testing, governance reporting, remediation tracking and risk appetite frameworks

Benefits

• Annual leave
  • 25 days’ annual leave, plus bank holidays
  • An extra day off for your birthday
  • Holiday loyalty scheme rewarding long-term service
  • Work abroad scheme for added flexibility
• Pension and bonus
  • Competitive pension scheme via salary exchange
  • Annual discretionary bonus scheme (eligible after probation)
  • Financial education, planning & coaching platform
  • Interest-free Season Ticket Loan for London travel
  • Salary exchange nursery fee scheme
• Insurance & healthcare
  • Life Insurance
  • Healthcare platform including:
    • Cashback on dental, optical & physio
    • Virtual GP access
    • Mental health and stress support helplines
    • Additional wellbeing resources
• Work‑life support
  • Enhanced parental leave
  • Cycle to work scheme
  • Flexible benefits that support everyday life
• Career development
  • Career development and progression tools
  • Opportunities to grow within a fast-scaling international business

Diversity & Inclusion

We believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to our success. We are committed to fostering a culture where everyone feels valued and respected, regardless of their background, identity or experiences. By embracing diverse perspectives and promoting equity, we aim to create an environment where all employees can perform and reach their full potential.