SME Financial Crime Technical Manager

Hello, we’re Starling. We built a new kind of bank because we knew technology had the power to help people save, spend and manage their money in a new and transformative way. We’re a fully licensed UK bank with the culture and spirit of a fast-moving, disruptive tech company. We employ more than 3,500 people across our London, Southampton, Cardiff and Manchester offices.

Our recruitment process: Interviewing is a two way process and we want you to have the time and opportunity to get to know us, as much as we are getting to know you! Our interviews are conversational and we want to get the best from you, so come with questions and be curious. Following your application being reviewed, you can expect the below:

• Stage 1 - Telephone prescreen with recruiter
• Stage 2 - Role related interviews

Closing date: Thursday 17th April, 12pm

Location: Internal colleagues from all locations can apply, for external candidates this search is focused in Manchester.

About the role: This role will be pivotal in supporting with the embedding of the SME Financial Crime operating model to deliver Starling's Business Banking growth strategy. As a financial crime expert, the role holder will be instrumental in enhancing the SME compliance culture, safeguarding Starling and their customers against financial crime risks; including money laundering, terrorist financing, tax evasion, modern day slavery and bribery and corruption. The SME Financial Crime Technical Manager will drive continuous improvements in financial crime risk, acting as 1st line advisory for SME queries and new initiatives, ensuring alignment to industry standards.

Key Accountabilities & Responsibilities:

• Supporting the Head of SME Financial Crime to deliver improvements in performance strategy.
• Keeping abreast of emerging typologies, incorporating insights for business opportunities.
• Collaborating with AML Strategy to identify gaps and inefficiencies to develop solutions to improve processes.
• Supporting the oversight of anti-financial crime systems for SME customers including transaction monitoring and screening.
• Designing and implementing new financial crime prevention frameworks, policies and procedures.
• Leading opportunities to enhance SME financial crime controls leveraging machine learning to mitigate future risks.
• Implementing robust governance for high risk SME retention and exit decisions, enabling accurate oversight reporting.
• Completing gap analyses in response to horizon scanning and regulatory changes.
• Managing stakeholder communications, influencing decisions and challenging the status quo.
• Proactively analysing data to make informed business decisions.
• Designing SME financial crime training, collaborating with learning and competency teams to align delivery to strategic priorities.
• Working in partnership with the SME Financial Crime Operations Manager to achieve shared COO and SME Banking objectives.

Behaviours & Competencies:

• Financial Crime Knowledge - Technical working knowledge of financial crime regulations.
• Customer Centricity - Ability to balance regulatory risk with customer centricity to support commercial growth.
• Communication - Excellent communication skills (verbal and written) with the ability to explain complex issues and solutions to a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Prioritisation - Demonstrates personal resilience and rigor to deliver competing strategic priorities.
• Analytical Skills - Strong analytical skills with the ability to think creatively to overcome business challenges.

Skills & Experience:

• Minimum of 5+ years proven experience in 1LOD/2LOD financial crime, with the ability to adapt to dynamic and agile operating environments.
• ICA Diploma in Anti Money Laundering or Financial Crime Prevention.
• Critical thinking with a customer focussed approach to problem solving.
• In depth experience of managing regulatory oversight and external body actions.
• Deep awareness of SME customers and their needs.

Benefits:

• 25 days holiday (plus take your public holiday allowance whenever works best for you)
• An extra day’s holiday for your birthday
• Annual leave is increased with length of service, and you can choose to buy or sell up to five extra days off
• 16 hours paid volunteering time a year
• Salary sacrifice, company enhanced pension scheme
• Life insurance at 4x your salary & group income protection
• Private Medical Insurance with VitalityHealth including mental health support and cancer care.
• Partner benefits include discounts with Waitrose, Mr&Mrs Smith and Peloton
• Generous family-friendly policies
• Incentives refer a friend scheme
• Perkbox membership giving access to retail discounts, a wellness platform for physical and mental health, and weekly free and boosted perks
• Access to initiatives like Cycle to Work, Salary Sacrificed Gym partnerships and Electric Vehicle (EV) leasing

About us: You may be put off applying for a role because you don't tick every box. Forget that! While we can’t accommodate every flexible working request, we’re always open to discussion. So, if you’re excited about working with us, but aren’t sure if you’re 100% there yet, get in touch anyway. We’re on a mission to radically reshape banking – and that starts with our brilliant team. Whatever came before, we’re proud to bring together people of all backgrounds and experiences who love working together to solve problems. Starling Bank is an equal opportunity employer, and we’re proud of our ongoing efforts to foster diversity & inclusion in the workplace.