AML Financial Crime Investigator in Manchester

Kroo has a big vision. To be the first bank that is both trusted and loved by its customers. We’re helping people take control of their financial future and achieve their goals, whilst making a positive impact on the planet. Here at Kroo, doing what is right is in our DNA. We act with integrity, transparency and honesty. We think big, dream big, and relentlessly pursue our goals. We like to be bold, break new ground, and we never stop learning. But most importantly, we are on this journey together.

We are a multi-disciplined team of experienced technology, banking, customer experience, marketing, and legal professionals who share a passion for the company’s mission and believe in a collaborative approach to creating the greatest social bank. We are building a diverse team of inquisitive people who want to understand customer needs and behaviour so we can develop innovative products that change people’s lives for good. We’re searching for a resourceful and enthusiastic Financial Crime Investigator, who will amongst other things, support the day-to-day operations of the First Line Financial Crime Operations function. The Kroo is growing and we’d love to hear from you if you’re interested in joining us on our journey!

As a Financial Crime Investigator, your key responsibility is to strengthen our financial crime prevention efforts. This role is pivotal in identifying, investigating, and mitigating potential financial crime risks including money laundering, terrorist financing, and fraud. You will have a keen eye for detail, strong analytical skills, and a thorough understanding of regulatory compliance related to financial crime.

• Alert Investigation: Conduct thorough investigations of transaction monitoring alerts to identify and assess suspicious activity. This includes investigating sanctions, Politically Exposed Persons (PEP), and adverse media alerts.
• AML/CTF and Fraud Management: Manage and execute Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Counter-Terrorist Financing (CTF), and fraud investigations from initiation to conclusion. This includes the preparation and submission of Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) to relevant authorities.
• Trend Analysis: Proactively analyse data to identify emerging trends in financial crime, utilising findings to enhance detection and prevention strategies.
• Collaboration and Liaison: Collaborate with other financial institutions and law enforcement agencies as necessary. Maintain effective communication with other business departments to support financial crime prevention efforts.
• Customer Service Support: Handle escalations from the Customer Service team, providing expert advice on actions required to mitigate risks and resolve issues.
• Process Improvement: Support the continuous optimisation of financial crime prevention processes, systems, and procedures, ensuring they remain effective and compliant with regulatory standards.

While not essential, the following experience and qualifications are highly desirable in our ideal candidate for this position:

• Experience in Financial Crime Prevention: Proven experience in investigating and mitigating financial crime risks, including money laundering, terrorist financing, and fraud.
• Regulatory Knowledge: A strong understanding of Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Counter-Terrorist Financing (CTF), sanctions, and compliance regulations.
• Analytical Skills: Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify suspicious activity and trends.
• Alert Investigation Expertise: Hands-on experience in investigating transaction monitoring alerts, sanctions, Politically Exposed Persons (PEP), and adverse media cases.
• Reporting Skills: Proficiency in preparing and submitting Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) to relevant authorities.
• Data Analysis: Ability to conduct trend analysis to proactively identify emerging financial crime risks and improve prevention strategies.
• Collaboration Skills: Experience working with law enforcement, other financial institutions, and internal departments to support financial crime prevention efforts.
• Customer Service Acumen: Ability to handle escalations from the Customer Service team, providing expert advice and practical solutions.
• Process Optimisation: A track record of improving processes, systems, and procedures to enhance compliance and efficiency.
• Attention to Detail: A meticulous approach to investigations and regulatory documentation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certifications in financial crime prevention, such as CAMS (Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist) or CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner).
• Familiarity with financial crime detection tools and technologies.
• Prior experience in a financial institution or a compliance-focused role.

We can be flexible with the structure of our interview process if someone's circumstances or timescales require it but our general structure is: People screen interview - 45 mins, Technical interview challenge with the hiring manager - 45 mins, Head of division interview - 45 mins. Successful candidates after the technical stage will be invited to informally meet the team in person and see our fantastic offices. Please let us know if you have any specific requirements or need assistance so we can be as accommodating as possible for you.

At our cutting-edge fintech company, we know that attracting and retaining the best talent means offering top-notch benefits that help our employees thrive both in and outside of work. Check out what we currently offer:

• Generous holiday time: 25 days annual leave, 8 bank holidays, 1 Kroo bank holiday (June 24th), and 1 day off during the week of your birthday.
• Personal days: We know that life can be unpredictable, so we offer 3 personal days to use as needed.
• Employer-sponsored volunteer program: We're passionate about giving back to our community, and we support our employees in doing the same with up to 4 hours per month of employer-sponsored volunteer time.
• Mental health support: We care about the mental health of our team members and offer access to Spill, our mental health support partner.
• Workplace pension: We want you to feel secure about your future, so we offer a workplace pension with a 5% employee contribution and a 3% employer top-up.
• Top-notch equipment: We provide top-of-the-line equipment necessary for smooth hybrid work, including a MacBook laptop. Additionally, we also offer support in establishing your home office by contributing towards your setup if required.
• Modern office: You'll enjoy access to our modern, bustling workspace in central Manchester.
• Cycle to Work scheme: We encourage sustainable transportation with our Cycle to Work scheme.
• Electric Car scheme: We're committed to reducing our carbon footprint, and our Electric Car scheme makes it easy for our employees to do the same.
• Enhanced parental leave: We know that family comes first, and we offer an enhanced parental leave policy to support our employees in starting and growing their families.
• Room for growth: As a fast-paced, high-growth start-up, we're dedicated to providing our employees with room to grow and excel.
• You get full healthcare for you and your nuclear family via Vitality.
• Hybrid Working: At Kroo Bank, we have a hybrid policy that gives both individuals and teams a lot of freedom when it comes to using the office space to boost productivity. Our Manchester office is a great resource when used effectively. So, employees who can occasionally come to the office are a good fit for how we work right now. Keep in mind that this job involves working from 7am to 19.30 over 5 days totalling 37.5 hours per week, including one weekend per month. (Shifts provided well in advance) This will be a mix of remote and office work, so you won't need to be on-site all the time and regular commuting expenses to your designated office will not be reimbursed.

We wholeheartedly uphold our commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. Every employee is highly regarded, respected, and supported without any form of judgement or prejudice. We consider Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion as fundamental pillars guiding our path in all aspects of our bank. We also ensure that reasonable adjustments are made available to all candidates throughout the recruitment process.

To all Recruitment Agencies: At Kroo Bank, agency resumes are strictly prohibited. Do not submit agency resumes or forward them to our job advertisements or Kroo Bank employees. Be aware that Kroo Bank will not assume any responsibility for fees incurred due to unsolicited resumes. To ensure a fair and efficient application process, all candidates are kindly requested to submit their applications directly through the advertised platform. We kindly ask that you refrain from reaching out to the company or its employees via email, LinkedIn, or any other communication channels for inquiries or updates. Please note that any attempts to contact us through these channels will not receive a response. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Please note: Kroo values honesty and integrity in all candidates therefore, applications should be accurate and truthful. As part of our hiring process, we conduct employment history and reference checks. Any undisclosed discrepancies, misrepresentations, or false information may result in the withdrawal of your application or job offer.