At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead investigations into illicit finance and crypto activities across diverse projects.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking company at the forefront of digital investigations.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, performance bonuses, and flexible hybrid working.
- Other info: Collaborative team culture with opportunities for career growth and niche training.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by tackling financial crime and shaping innovative solutions.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in illicit finance investigations and strong OSINT skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 ÂŁ per year.
We are hiring a Principal Analyst to lead illicit finance and crypto investigations across our project portfolio. Our Digital Investigations Team works with governments, social media platforms, corporates, and non‑profits to identify, map out, and attribute adversarial networks. We are looking for an investigator skilled in mapping financial flows across blockchains, exchanges, shell structures, and the open web – combining on‑chain analysis with OSINT to map the digital infrastructure behind state and non‑state illicit finance operations.
What you’ll be doing:
- Investigating crypto‑enabled threat activity including but not limited to: state‑linked finance; sanctions evasion; ransomware laundering; exchange‑linked fraud; sophisticated scam operations; and terrorism financing.
- Tracing illicit funds across blockchains, mixers, bridges, and off‑ramps, and attributing networks to threat actors.
- Investigating and mapping out illicit finance networks across on‑chain activity, digital infrastructure, and corporate records.
- Researching and attributing novel TTPs including obfuscation and evasion.
- Deploying, reviewing, and improving our in‑house technical capability alongside commercial blockchain analytics tools.
- Producing concise, contextualised intelligence reporting.
- Briefing clients.
On day one you’ll bring:
- Advanced open‑source intelligence (OSINT) skills, with at least three years of direct practical experience focusing on illicit finance / crypto investigations (essential).
- Experience with blockchain investigations and a range of analytics platforms and tracing tools (essential).
- Practical experience investigating crypto‑enabled threat actors, illicit finance, financial crime (essential).
- The mindset of an investigative journalist, a curious and persistent investigator.
- The ability to write clear and concise reports (essential).
- Experience leading client projects and briefing clients (desirable).
- A track record of training and mentoring analysts (desirable).
Why join us?
- A diverse workload across multiple complex projects and investigations.
- A collaborative and supportive team at the forefront of this sphere.
- Clients who get what we do and offer us genuine innovation opportunities.
- A meritocratic environment that promotes career progression and development.
- Niche training to support niche skill sets.
- Hybrid working which allows you to strike the perfect work‑life balance.
Our Benefits:
- Performance related bonus
- Life Assurance – 4x your annual salary
- ÂŁ45 Monthly cost of living voucher
- 25 days’ annual leave plus all standard UK public holidays.
- Vitality Healthcare
- Annual eye care support
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Subsidised gym membership
- Winter flu vaccination
- Work from home allowance
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at PGI:
As a British company which operates internationally, we draw strength from the diversity of our people. Without our diverse team, we couldn’t do the work we do. We are involved in projects across 80+ geographies, our people speak 25+ languages and come from a variety of backgrounds. By hiring and cultivating a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce, we can uphold values that enable every member of the team to thrive, while delivering novel solutions to novel problems.
Accessibility at PGI:
Every individual has different requirements, so we are committed to implementing reasonable adjustments to mitigate physical and non‑physical barriers in the workplace.
Principal Illicit Finance Analyst in London employer: Protection Group International
Contact Detail:
Protection Group International Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Illicit Finance Analyst in London
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, webinars, or even local meetups. The more you engage with others, the better your chances of landing that Principal Analyst role.
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, don’t hold back! Share your experiences with blockchain investigations and how you've tackled illicit finance challenges. Let them see your passion and expertise in action.
✨Tailor Your Approach
Every conversation is an opportunity! Make sure to tailor your discussions to highlight how your skills align with their needs. Talk about your OSINT skills and how they can benefit their projects – it’ll make you stand out!
✨Apply Through Our Website
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 and take the initiative to reach out directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Illicit Finance Analyst in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Skills: Make sure to highlight your advanced OSINT skills and experience with blockchain investigations. We want to see how your background aligns with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your expertise!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured reports, so demonstrate that skill right from the start. Remember, clarity is key!
Tailor Your Application: Take a moment to tailor your application to our job description. Mention specific experiences that relate to investigating crypto-enabled threats and mapping financial flows. This shows us you’re genuinely interested in the role!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Protection Group International
✨Know Your Blockchain Basics
Before the interview, brush up on your blockchain knowledge. Understand how transactions work, the role of mixers and bridges, and be ready to discuss specific cases where you've traced illicit funds. This will show your expertise and confidence in the subject matter.
✨Showcase Your OSINT Skills
Prepare examples of how you've used open-source intelligence in past investigations. Be ready to explain your methodology and the tools you used. This will demonstrate your practical experience and problem-solving abilities, which are crucial for this role.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Threat Actors
Familiarise yourself with various crypto-enabled threat actors and their tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs). Bring specific examples of how you've investigated these actors and what insights you gained. This will highlight your analytical skills and investigative mindset.
✨Practice Clear Reporting
Since producing concise intelligence reports is essential, practice summarising complex information clearly. Prepare a brief report on a past investigation or a hypothetical scenario. This will showcase your writing skills and ability to communicate effectively with clients.