Head of AML Operations UK Manchester, England, United Kingdom

Our AML Operations team plays a key role early in the customer journey - ensuring safe and compliant onboarding to our platform. We’re looking for an experienced leader to guide a team of 9 analysts, someone who brings not just operational know-how, but a broader vision for how AML can continuously evolve. If you’re passionate and experienced in developing people, strengthening processes, and navigating the complexity of a UK FCA-regulated environment, this is your opportunity to shape a function that sits at the heart of our business.

Your Responsibilities

• Team & Stakeholder Leadership
  • Lead and manage a team of AML operations analysts, setting clear goals, providing constructive feedback, and supporting continuous professional development.
  • Ensure clear work allocation, tracking, and prioritisation across the AML Operations team, with visibility of progress, risks, and ownership.
  • Identify, assess, and elevate financial crime risks appropriately to the MLRO or Senior Management, working proactively to propose and implement effective mitigation strategies.
  • Promote a culture of integrity, professionalism, and ethical conduct across all areas of financial crime operations.
• Operational Execution & Oversight
  • Oversee daily AML operations including KYC (Know Your Customer), PEPS / Sanctions / Adverse Media screening, transaction monitoring activities, and Suspicious Activity Reporting (SARs) ensuring timely high‑quality execution with clear end‑to‑end ownership and sound risk‑based decision‑making.
  • Ensure the consistent application of customer due diligence (CDD) and enhanced due diligence (EDD) standards in line with regulatory requirements and industry best practices (e.g. JMLSG, FCA reviews).
  • Manage and review the end‑to‑end process of Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR), including quality assurance and timely submissions to the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA).
  • Conduct quality assurance reviews of KYC files to ensure strict compliance with AML regulations and legal requirements.
  • Oversee the use of third‑party KYC, sanctions screening, and transaction monitoring platforms to support due diligence and ongoing monitoring processes, and identify improvement areas if necessary.
• Innovation & Process Improvements
  • Proactively identify areas of improvement and confidently develop or improve financial crime procedures suited for a fast‑paced and dynamic environment, incl. leading small change projects.
  • Foster strong cross‑functional collaboration with second line functions, legal, compliance, and technology teams to enhance operational effectiveness and risk management.
  • Serve as a subject matter expert on UK financial crime legislation and regulatory obligations, including POCA, the Money Laundering Regulations, the Terrorism Act, and the JMLSG guidance, demonstrating a strong and practical understanding of how these apply to day‑to‑day AML operations, staying abreast of industry developments, regulatory changes, and emerging financial crime trends, and disseminating relevant insights across the team and wider business.

Your Profile

• Proven track record of managing AML/financial crime operational teams within a UK FCA‑regulated financial institution (this role is suitable for experienced leaders in the area).
• Bachelor’s degree in finance, business, law, or a related discipline.
• A relevant professional certification (e.g. CAMS, ICA Diploma, or equivalent) is highly desirable.
• Proven hands‑on experience managing the end‑to‑end Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR) process, including investigation, decision‑making and timely submission to law enforcement.
• Hands‑on experience with third‑party tools for KYC, sanctions screening, and transaction monitoring.
• Experience in having implemented change processes or change projects successfully, for example in regards to the tools/platforms used for daily operations.
• Strong analytical and communication skills, with exceptional attention to detail and a structured approach to risk assessment and reporting.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and meet high standards under pressure in a rapidly changing environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage effectively at all levels of the organisation.
• A proactive and forward‑thinking mindset, committed to continuous improvement and excellence in AML operations.

Join our mission, join our team – and grow with us! At Raisin, we care about each other and it is one of our top priorities to foster an open and caring environment in which everyone feels welcome and comfortable. Our culture is strongly driven by our ambitious team, which connects more than 75 different nationalities. As part of our team, you will benefit from Employee Development Budget of £1,700 and 4 full training days per year. Always hungry? Breakfast, snacks, daily fresh fruit and drinks are at your disposal around the clock. We are hybrid working, we are in the office twice a week, giving the team the opportunity to collaborate and spend time together. Wednesday is our core day in the office. We offer 28 days + Bank Holidays of holiday a year. One day birthday leave and gift voucher to celebrate your birthday. We offer you a company stakeholder pension with a minimum employer contribution of 5%. The opportunity to experience our annual retreats in exciting European cities and other team building events. We value diversity and the unique experiences each individual brings. If you’re excited about this role but don’t meet every requirement, we still encourage you to apply. We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone, regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, or gender identity.