Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
Department: Compliance
Location: London
Description
Overview of the role
We are seeking an experienced Senior Compliance Specialist to join IFX’s Financial Crime Compliance function (Second Line of Defence). This is a high-impact role within the Client Risk Oversight team, responsible for providing independent oversight, challenge, and assurance over client onboarding, ongoing monitoring, and financial crime controls. The role offers significant exposure to high-risk corporate, institutional, and fintech/intermediary client relationships.
Key Responsibilities
2LoD Oversight & Quality Assurance
- Perform independent quality assurance (QA) reviews of KYC onboarding and periodic review files
- Validate the effectiveness of 1LoD control execution, including control testing outputs
- Identify control weaknesses, systemic issues, and remediation actions
- Produce actionable management information (MI) and trend analysis
Enhanced Due Diligence & Escalations
- Review, challenge, and approve high-risk onboarding and ongoing monitoring escalations
- Conduct in-depth EDD investigations on complex client relationships
- Draft robust, audit-ready risk assessments and escalation papers
- Escalate material cases to senior management, including MLRO/DMLRO where required
Intermediary / Fintech Client Oversight
- Lead the onboarding and review of intermediary (fintech) client relationships
- Conduct on-site compliance monitoring visits and desktop reviews
- Assess client AML frameworks, governance standards, and operational controls
- Provide clear recommendations on risk acceptance and mitigation
Control Testing & Framework Assurance
- Perform control testing over 2LoD controls and compliance frameworks
- Support thematic reviews and deep dives into key financial crime risk areas
- Identify gaps and contribute to strengthening the control environment
Training & Stakeholder Advisory
- Deliver AML / KYC / sanctions training to operational and commercial teams
- Act as a trusted advisor to Sales, KYC, and wider business stakeholders
- Support embedding of a strong compliance culture
Governance, Reporting & SARs
- Draft high-quality escalations, committee papers, and Board reporting inputs
- Prepare and submit Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) where required
- Support governance forums (e.g. high-risk committees / working groups)
Policy & Continuous Improvement
- Support the development and enhancement of:
- AML/KYC policies and procedures
- QA frameworks and methodologies
- Risk appetite and controls documentation
- Contribute to regulatory change initiatives and compliance projects
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
Essential
- Strong experience in AML/Financial Crime Compliance, ideally within a regulated financial services firm
- Deep understanding of:
- KYC / CDD / EDD processes
- Sanctions, PEP screening, and adverse media
- Experience reviewing and challenging high-risk or complex client cases
- Proven ability to draft:
- Escalation papers
- Risk assessments
- SARs
- Excellent analytical, written, and communication skills
- Strong attention to detail and ability to apply risk-based judgement
- A true team player with a winning mentality and strong work ethic committed to continuous improvement and high performance.
- Adaptable, tenacious and flexible who can perform under pressure.
Desirable
- Solid experience in a 2LoD Compliance role
- Experience with fintech / intermediary clients (PSPs, EMIs, platforms)
- Strong understanding of Corporate and Institutional clients
- Experience conducting compliance monitoring / on-site reviews
- Experience in policy drafting and governance reporting
- Proven track record in project management and stakeholder engagement
- Strong understanding of risk and controls frameworks.
Success Measures (KPIs)
- Quality and consistency of QA output.
- Reduction in repeat findings / control failures.
- Timely and defensible escalation decisions.
- Positive audit / regulatory outcomes.
- Effectiveness of stakeholder engagement.
- Contribution to control framework improvements.
Benefits
- Time to Recharge
- 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
- Financial Wellbeing
- 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
- Health & Wellbeing
- Life Insurance
- Healthcare platform including:
- Cashback on dental, optical & physio
- Virtual GP access
- Mental health and stress support helplines
- Additional wellbeing resources
- Family & Lifestyle Support
- Enhanced parental leave
- Cycle to work scheme
- Flexible benefits that support everyday life
- Growth & Career Development
- Career development and progression tools
- Opportunities to grow within a fast-scaling international business
- A Great Team Culture
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.
