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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: Join a dynamic team and enjoy excellent career growth opportunities.
- 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 in London employer: MERJE
Contact Detail:
MERJE Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of CDD in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or attend relevant events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that Head of CDD role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of UK AML/CTF regulations and financial crime frameworks. We want you to be the go-to expert in the room, so practice articulating your experience with CDD and EDD strategies.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! When discussing your past roles, highlight how you’ve developed teams and influenced senior stakeholders. We need to see that you can drive improvements and manage client risk effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of CDD in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of CDD role. 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 bring value to our team!
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 navigated regulatory environments in the past. Let us know what excites you about joining StudySmarter!
Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills: In your application, be sure to highlight your experience in managing and influencing stakeholders at a senior level. We’re looking for someone who can partner effectively across the business, so share examples of how you've done this in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, we love seeing applications come through our own platform!
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 enhancing efficiency in systems and processes, showing that you understand their goals and are excited about the opportunity to make an impact.