Executive Director – Financial Crime (App: 462b-)

Base Pay Range

Referment is working exclusively with one of the world’s most globally recognised Investment Banks to appoint an Executive Director to lead a critical, multi-year Financial Crime and Regulatory Change programme across the EMEA region.

This is a senior, visible leadership role for a proven financial crime professional who enjoys operating at Executive level and shaping a regulatory control framework within a complex, global environment.

You will lead a major regulatory transformation programme within the First Line of Defence (1LOD), supporting the bank’s response to evolving AML, KYC and Financial Crime regulation across Europe.

This role carries significant exposure to senior leadership, regulators and global stakeholders – you will be responsible for defining and delivering the strategic roadmap, embedding regulatory change into operations, and strengthening the bank’s overall risk posture.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and delivery of a large-scale, multi-year regulatory change programme across EMEA
• Act as senior point of contact for regulatory engagement related to financial crime transformation
• Partner closely with Compliance, Technology, Operations and senior business stakeholders
• Own programme governance, reporting, controls, risk management and execution
• Drive regulatory readiness across new and existing European regulation (including EU AML reform)
• Provide confident challenge and direction at Executive and Committee level
• Ensure regulatory initiatives are operationally embedded within the First Line of Defence

We Are Seeking a Senior-level Candidate With

• 15–20+ years’ experience in Financial Services
• Strong background within top‑tier Investment Banks, Asset Managers, or global financial institutions

Deep Knowledge Of

• AML / KYC / Financial Crime regulation
• EU regulatory reform, including 6AMLD and prior AML Directives (4AMLD / 5AMLD etc.)
• Proven senior leadership experience delivering regulatory or transformation programmes
• First Line of Defence (1LOD) experience – not advisory‑only profiles
• Executive‑level stakeholder management capability
• Fluent English (German and/or other major European languages are highly desirable)
• Must be able to work 3 days per week onsite in London
• Able to start within 1 month (3‑month notice periods unfortunately cannot be considered)

Why is this a great opportunity?

• Executive role within a globally recognised Investment Bank
• High‑impact programme with international visibility
• Long‑term, permanent opportunity
• Market‑leading compensation
• Opportunity to shape financial crime strategy at scale

If you are operating at Executive Director level and have led complex AML / KYC or Financial Crime change programmes inside large financial institutions, we would love to hear from you.

Seniority Level

Director

Employment Type

Full‑time

Job Function

Management

Industries

Financial Services, Investment Banking, Banking