At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of a Quality Control framework and oversee financial crime operations.
- Company: Northreach, a specialist recruitment partner in Financial Services and FinTech.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth opportunities, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity to travel and engage with key external partners.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact in financial crime oversight and enhance operational standards.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in Financial Crime or AML with strong data analysis skills.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 80000 £ per year.
Northreach is a specialist recruitment partner connecting exceptional talent with high-growth businesses across Financial Services, FinTech and Digital. We partner with ambitious organisations to help them attract exceptional talent while supporting professionals with exciting career opportunities across the Financial Services ecosystem.
The Quality Control Lead is responsible for establishing, embedding, and managing the Quality Control (QC) framework and management information (MI) suite across outsourced financial crime operations and first-line processes. The role drives the oversight of key external partners, assessing decision quality, SLA compliance, and consistency in rationale across PEPs, Sanctions, and Transaction Monitoring. This is a high-impact, greenfield-style opportunity with an implementation roadmap to adapt internal methodologies, build operational dashboards, and establish robust vendor remediation workflows.
Key Responsibilities
- Framework Development & Rollout: Design, build, and embed a Quality Control (QC) framework - including sampling methodologies, review criteria, rating scales, and remediation workflows.
- Third-Party & Operational Oversight: Conduct routine QC checks on Level 1 alert handling across PEPs, Sanctions, and Transaction Monitoring performed by outsourced providers and internal first-line teams.
- Vendor Management & Site Visits: Travel to vendor locations (primarily Birmingham ~1 day per week initially) to align operational standards, evaluate alert disposition quality, and enforce SLAs.
- Data & MI Reporting: Analyze raw operational data using Excel and Power BI to produce monthly and quarterly executive MI packs, dashboards, and trend analysis for governance forums.
- Constructive Challenge & Remediation: Act as the primary challenge function for third-party decision accuracy, escalating control gaps, establishing remediation timelines, and executing re-testing protocols.
Key Skills
- Financial Crime & AML Expertise: 5+ years of hands-on experience in Financial Crime, AML, Transaction Monitoring, Sanctions, or Risk & Compliance Quality Control in a regulated environment.
- QC Framework Design: Demonstrated ability to build or adapt sampling models, review checklists, and issue-rating structures for first-line oversight.
- Vendor & Stakeholder Management: Strong communication skills with the confidence to challenge third-party providers constructively on decision rationale, error rates, and SLAs.
- Data Analysis & MI Tooling: Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and working knowledge of Power BI to manipulate data streams, identify trends, and format executive-level reporting.
- Regulatory Knowledge: Deep understanding of UK Money Laundering Regulations, POCA, FATF standards, Sanctions regimes, and FCA regulatory expectations.
Quality Control Lead in London employer: Northreach
Join a dynamic financial services organisation in North Liverpool that prioritises collaboration and employee growth. With a strong focus on exceptional customer service, we offer flexible working arrangements, competitive salaries, and comprehensive benefits, including generous annual leave and ongoing training opportunities. This is an excellent environment for those looking to thrive in a fast-paced setting while building meaningful relationships with clients and stakeholders.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Quality Control Lead in London
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Northreach. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Quality Control Lead in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Northreach.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Northreach's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Northreach
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Northreach.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Northreach will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Northreach employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
