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- Tasks: Lead the CDD function and shape financial crime frameworks for client onboarding and monitoring.
- Company: Established financial services organisation with a focus on growth and transformation.
- Benefits: High visibility role, opportunity to influence strategy, and develop a high-performing team.
- Other info: Must be eligible to work in the UK without sponsorship.
- Why this job: Take ownership of a critical function and make a real impact in financial crime compliance.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership experience in financial crime compliance and deep expertise in CDD and EDD.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Head of CDD required for a well-established and growing financial services organisation is looking to appoint a senior leader to head up its CDD function. This is a key leadership role responsible for shaping and delivering the firm’s financial crime framework across client onboarding, due diligence, and ongoing monitoring, while supporting commercial growth in a regulated environment.
The Role
- Lead and define the strategy for CDD, EDD and customer screening across the business
- Act as the subject matter expert on client risk and financial crime controls
- Oversee end-to-end client lifecycle management, ensuring robust and proportionate due diligence
- Partner with senior stakeholders to provide practical, commercial advice on financial crime risk
- Ensure compliance with UK and international AML, sanctions and financial crime regulations
- Drive improvements in systems, controls and processes to enhance efficiency and risk management
- Lead, develop and scale a high-performing financial crime team (UK and offshore)
- Represent the function internally at senior level and externally where required
What They’re Looking For
- Strong senior leadership experience within financial crime compliance in a banking or financial services environment
- Deep expertise across CDD, EDD and complex client risk assessments
- Strong knowledge of UK AML/CTF, sanctions, and broader financial crime frameworks
- Experience operating in a regulated environment, ideally with exposure to FCA expectations
- Proven ability to balance regulatory requirements with commercial outcomes
- Experience managing and developing teams across multiple locations
- Excellent stakeholder management, with the ability to influence at senior/executive level
Why Join
- Opportunity to take ownership of a critical financial crime function
- High visibility role with direct exposure to senior leadership
- Business undergoing growth and transformation
- Scope to shape frameworks, influence strategy, and build out capability
Applicants must be located and eligible to work in the UK without sponsorship.
Head of CDD employer: MERJE
Contact Detail:
MERJE Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of CDD
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the financial services sector and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a Head of CDD role or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of UK AML/CTF regulations and financial crime frameworks. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully balanced compliance with commercial outcomes in your previous roles. We want you to shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Think of examples where you've led teams through challenges, especially in a regulated environment. Highlight your ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive improvements in systems and processes.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search. Let’s get you that Head of CDD position!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of CDD
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Head of CDD. Highlight your leadership experience in financial crime compliance and any specific achievements that align with the job description. We want to see how you can shape and deliver a financial crime framework!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Mention your deep expertise in CDD and EDD, and how you've successfully balanced regulatory requirements with commercial outcomes in the past. We love a good story!
Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills: In your application, don’t forget to highlight your experience in managing and influencing stakeholders at a senior level. This role requires excellent communication skills, so give us examples of how you've navigated complex relationships in a regulated environment.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Don’t miss out on the chance to lead our financial crime function!
How to prepare for a job interview at MERJE
✨Know Your Financial Crime Frameworks
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of UK AML/CTF regulations and financial crime frameworks. Be prepared to discuss how these regulations impact client onboarding and due diligence processes, as well as how you can ensure compliance while supporting commercial growth.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a senior leader, it's crucial to demonstrate your experience in managing and developing teams. Prepare examples of how you've led high-performing teams in the past, particularly in financial crime compliance, and be ready to discuss your approach to stakeholder management and influencing at the executive level.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your ability to handle complex client risk assessments and financial crime controls. Think of specific scenarios where you've successfully navigated challenges in a regulated environment, and be ready to explain your thought process and decision-making.
✨Align with Their Growth Vision
Research the company’s current growth and transformation initiatives. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to shaping their CDD strategy and improving systems and processes. Show enthusiasm for the opportunity to influence their financial crime function and drive improvements.