Financial Crime Manager

A high-growth, award-winning fintech start-up, backed by a leading global accelerator, is on a mission to simplify cross-border payments and provide businesses in emerging markets with seamless access to global financial systems. The company has processed billions in transactions for thousands of businesses and is aiming to become the leading B2B payment provider in emerging markets by 2028.

The company is seeking an experienced Senior Financial Crime Manager to lead and enhance its financial crime prevention and compliance capabilities. This leadership role is critical to the development of a strong, scalable financial crime framework that aligns with regulatory requirements and supports the company’s growth across global markets. The successful candidate will play a central role in managing financial crime risks across foreign exchange and payments operations, while collaborating closely with senior leadership, product, legal, and support functions.

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership & Framework Development
  • Lead the financial crime function, ensuring alignment with anti-money laundering (AML), counter-terrorist financing (CTF), sanctions, fraud, and bribery regulations.
  • Develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive financial crime risk and control framework in line with regulatory expectations and industry best practices.
  • Conduct financial crime risk assessments and gap analyses to identify and mitigate potential vulnerabilities.
  • Collaborate with internal stakeholders on the integration of financial crime controls into new systems, products, and regtech solutions.
• Operational Execution
  • Oversee the Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR) process, ensuring accurate and timely submissions to relevant authorities.
  • Manage chargebacks, complaints, and indemnity processes to minimise financial and reputational risk.
  • Lead initiatives to detect and prevent fraud, using data-driven strategies to enhance operational resilience.
  • Respond to requests and queries from law enforcement, banking partners, and regulators.
  • Supervise and coordinate internal investigations related to financial crime.
• Governance & Communication
  • Maintain and regularly update financial crime policies and procedures to reflect current regulations and operational needs.
  • Prepare and present management information (MI) and reports for senior management, the board, and external parties.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for industry fraud prevention networks and maintain related responsibilities.
  • Manage the compliance inbox, ensuring timely responses and appropriate escalation of issues.
  • Design and deliver AML and CTF training programs across the company to promote awareness and regulatory compliance.
  • Ensure that all employees understand their obligations in identifying and reporting financial crime risks.
• Regulatory & Industry Engagement
  • Stay abreast of relevant regulatory changes and industry trends through proactive horizon scanning.
  • Represent the company at industry events and maintain strong working relationships with regulators, law enforcement agencies, and banking partners.

Key Outcomes (First 6–12 Months)

• Establishment of a strong and scalable financial crime framework.
• Measurable improvements in the accuracy and efficiency of SAR submissions.
• Reduction in false positives through improved transaction monitoring.
• Development of a streamlined, end-to-end process for managing complaints, chargebacks, and fraud cases.
• Enhanced automation and quality of financial crime reporting (MI).
• Strengthened external relationships with key partners, banks, and regulatory bodies.

Skills & Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years' experience in a financial crime or AML role within an FCA-regulated environment.
• University degree in Law, Finance, Risk, or a related field (preferred).
• Professional certifications such as ICA or ACAMS (required).
• Strong working knowledge of the Money Laundering Regulations (MLR), Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA), Joint Money Laundering Steering Group (JMLSG) guidance, and relevant sanctions regimes.
• Experience with SAR submissions, fraud prevention, transaction monitoring systems, and complaint/chargeback handling.
• Proficiency in tools such as Jira; experience with AI-driven AML solutions is advantageous.
• Excellent communication, analytical, and stakeholder management skills.
• Familiarity with complex corporate structures and the ability to identify beneficial ownership.
• Highly organised and proactive, with a strong attention to detail and robust record-keeping capabilities.

What the Company Offers

• 33 days of annual leave (including public holidays)
• Up to 5% employer pension contribution
• Comprehensive private health and dental insurance (covering employees and their families)