SCUK Risk & Controls Manager (Financial Crime) in Surrey

This job is with Santander UK, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community.

Country: United Kingdom

Manage a Line 1 Risk & Controls team, reporting to the Line 1 Head of Financial Crime & Controls. To design and deliver QC in line with SCUK's quality frameworks and policies. Deliver ongoing assurance activities to maximise good customer outcomes and mitigate financial crime risks. Identify and escalate and oversee issues relating to quality and compliance. Undertake gap analysis and FC model calibration activities. Monitor and review control performance and team members' productivity. Promote positive and inclusive culture and work closely with other departments to continually drive improvements and efficiencies focussed around both the customer and the business.

Please note this role is a hybrid role with at least 3 days a week in the Redhill office. Remote workers will not be considered.

Responsibilities will include:

• Design, implement and execute risk-based Quality Controls across SCUK's customer and third-party journeys including: onboarding and ongoing due diligence journeys for customers and third parties including dealers, brokers, manufacturers and joint ventures.
• Name screening, customer risk assessment, transaction monitoring, enhanced due diligence, fraud controls such as CIFAS/Hunter, ABC controls such as gifts & hospitality.
• Design and implement risk based targeted/agile controls and assurance activities, gap analysis, thematic reviews, where required.
• Support calibration activities over FC models (Transaction Monitoring, Screening, Customer Risk Assessment).
• Deliver controls that provide assurance that first line operational and commercial controls are effective at detecting, preventing or mitigating Financial Crime, Fraud, and Conduct/Consumer Duty risks.
• Update processes and procedures in response to Policy updates or changes in typology or risk.
• Raise and manage dispensations / issues / waivers / breaches where required.
• Design, embed and report upon Management Information that evidences QC outcomes and trends and resolution of issues.
• Work closely with key stakeholders to proactively identify and embed areas of improvement to minimise risk associated with financial crime and consumer duty.
• Conduct design and operating effectiveness testing of financial crime controls documented in SCUK's risk system Heracles.
• Continuous improvement of controls, including development of AI models, to effectively and efficiently mitigate risk.
• Managing the teams and respective workload and SLAs in accordance with risk.
• Provide training and guidance and coaching for team members and other teams across the business.
• Promote a culture of managing financial crime risk within the scope of consumer duty and enable behaviours that promote and embed compliance with policies, standards and regulatory expectations.
• 'Think customer' in the design of the controls over the customer journeys.
• Support decisions that consider both good customer outcomes and mitigate financial crime risks within SCUK.
• Participate in operational review meetings with Joint Ventures, so that they understand the risks presented by their customers.
• Coordinate and support remediation within the relevant business area to uplift due diligence information or deficient procedures and perform risk-based re-testing of remediated issues.
• Identify root causes of issues so that the business areas can implement corrective actions to mitigate risk.
• Lead calibration sessions, so that scoring methodologies remain consistent and effective.
• Continuous improvement of controls, including development of AI models, to effectively and efficiently mitigate risk.
• Lead and/or support on projects, where required, such as gap analysis for new policy requirements.
• Provide subject matter expertise input into new systems and products and services.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with internal stakeholders at all levels to optimise business performance.
• Represent the QC team in strategic discussions, providing insights and recommendations for continuous improvement.
• Design and report Management Information that enables business areas to identify risks and implement changes.
• Demonstrate an ability to influence others at all levels promoting trust, honesty and openness. Regarded as an individual with integrity who gets things done.
• Identify, manage and resolve issues that arise with external parties promptly and courteously.
• Attend industry or other external events as appropriate, providing high quality reports.
• Adhering to our commitment to Consumer Duty ensuring we put our customers' needs first and set higher and clearer standards of consumer protection.

What we're looking for:

• Well-developed understanding of motor finance industry and consumer credit products is desirable.
• Assurance methodologies (including scoping, sampling, testing, report writing) is desirable.
• Design and implementation and execution of Quality Controls across AML, ABC, Sanctions, FOTE.
• Development of new procedures and processes that meet policies and standards.
• Ability to make balanced risk-based decisions supported with evidence.
• Represents Risk & Controls team at an organisational level and may deputise in executive level meetings.
• Ability to communicate effectively at all levels.
• Significant experience of the regulatory environment associated with financial services.
• Experience using AI (ChatGPT, Claude) within FC controls is desirable.
• Training on controls best practice and financial crime.
• Proven experience of successfully establishing new controls and implementing change.
• Proven experience of interacting with senior stakeholders enabling them to make decisions in respect of Financial Crime and Fraud.
• Proven experience of leading a team and being able to achieve results through people.
• Credible, effective and enthusiastic leader who gains commitment from others and demonstrates the ability to achieve results through people.
• Ability to think creatively in order to continually develop teams, processes and controls.
• Effective negotiation, influencing and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to deliver to tight deadlines and effectively manage conflicting organisational objectives.
• Ability to interpret and evaluate information and make appropriate recommendations.
• Demonstrates a customer centric approach representing the business with internal and external customers.
• Significant understanding of financial crime and fraud policy/regulatory/legislative issues.
• Understanding of Consumer Duty and how this interplays with Financial Crime and Fraud.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Strong PC skills across various applications, systems and ability to produce management information that is meaningful, accurate and informs decision making.
• Financial Crime qualification is essential.
• Educated to degree level is desirable.

We have a range of benefits available which include:

• Competitive salary dependent on experience.
• 30 days holiday per annum, plus bank holidays.
• Annual bonus based on personal and company performance.
• Car allowance.
• Private medical cover.
• £500 flexible benefit allowance.
• Generous pension contributions.
• Employee assistance programme.
• Sharesave scheme.
• Gym passes at a reduced rate for 3,000 gyms, leisure centres etc.

Other things you need to know:

• The hours for this role are 09:00-17:00 across Monday to Friday.
• Inclusion At Santander we're creating a thriving workplace where all colleagues feel they belong and are supported to succeed.
• We all help to make Santander a workplace that celebrates diversity and attracts, retains and develops the most talented and committed people through living our values of Simple, Personal, and Fair.
• At Santander Consumer Finance we have a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination, bullying, harassment (including sexual) or victimisation of any kind.
• Should you want to be considered for part time hours, please let us know and we can assess your requirements.

What are the next steps:

If you are interested in this role and believe you have the skills, experience, and knowledge then we'd love to hear from you. Please go ahead and click apply which will take you through some questions and allow you to submit your CV and covering letter.