At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the financial crime strategy and ensure compliance across various risk management activities.
- Company: Join Together, a leading mortgage provider with over 50 years of experience.
- Benefits: Enjoy 26 days holiday, health plans, gym access, and a discretionary bonus.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace committed to supporting all employees.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in financial crime prevention while shaping company strategy.
- Qualifications: 10 years in Financial Crime with an SMF17 position in Financial Services.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 88000 £ per year.
Benefits of working at Together:
- 26 days holiday, and a day off for your birthday (increasing with service to 30 days), plus bank holidays
- Free access to company holiday homes
- Buy & sell holidays
- Discretionary annual bonus plus an additional Shared Reward Bonus
- Matched pension contribution
- Health cash plan plus Private medical insurance
- Life assurance and Critical illness cover
- Travel season ticket loans and Ride to work scheme
- Free local gym access
- Local bar / restaurant discounts
We're Together. For over 50 years, we've helped thousands of people, businesses and professionals unlock their property ambitions with our common-sense approach to mortgages and secured loans. We take the time to understand our customers and our door is always open, so we can often help when other lenders can't or won't. Based in Cheadle, Cheshire, our 750 colleagues help our customers throughout the UK, backed by the power of a £7 billion loan book.
As the Director of Financial Crime and MLRO you will provide leadership and accountability for the organisation's financial crime framework, strategy and risk management activities across Anti-Money Laundering, Counter Terrorist Financing, sanctions, fraud and anti-bribery and corruption. You will act as the designated MLRO, ensuring robust governance, regulatory compliance and effective controls that protect the organisation from financial crime, regulatory exposure and reputational harm.
You will also lead the development of a forward-looking financial crime strategy aligned to business objectives, regulatory expectations and risk appetite, while providing independent oversight, challenge and assurance to the Executive and Board.
As a Director of Financial Crime and MLRO we are looking for someone to:
- Define and lead the enterprise-wide Financial Crime Strategy and risk appetite framework
- Act as the SMF 17 MLRO with accountability for the firms AML and financial crime control framework
- Provide expert advice and independent challenge to the Chief Risk Officer, the Board, Executive Committee and senior leadership on financial crime risks and regulatory developments
- Own the Financial Crime Risk Assessment framework, ensuring emerging and existing risks are identified, assessed, managed and reported
- Oversee AML, sanctions, fraud, anti-bribery and corruption, customer due diligence, enhanced due diligence and transaction monitoring programmes
- Lead regulatory engagement with the FCA, NCA, law enforcement agencies, auditors and other external stakeholders
- Sponsor and oversee financial crime transformation initiatives, ensuring systems, controls, data and technology remain effective and scalable
- Deliver Board and Committee reporting, management information and key risk indicators relating to financial crime exposure and control effectiveness
- Ensure robust advice, monitoring, assurance and testing programmes are in place and that remediation activities are delivered effectively
- Promote a strong financial crime culture through leadership, communication, training and accountability across the organisation
- Lead and develop a high-performing Financial Crime function, ensuring succession planning, capability development and talent management
- Represent the organisation externally and act as the senior thought leader on financial crime risks, trends and industry best practice
- Meet the expectations of the SMCR regime and in particular the SMF17 prescribed responsibilities
- Implement appropriate compliance and risk management, controls, processes, and procedures to deliver effectively and efficiently in the 2LOD Financial Crime function/processes
- Ensure colleagues have the appropriate skills and knowledge to enable good performance now and in the future, supporting career development and succession planning across the firm
Qualifications:
Essential:
- Must have held an SMF17 position in Financial Services
- 10 years in Financial Crime
- Experience working for a lender
- Extensive knowledge in AML Frameworks and strategy
- Demonstrates gravitas and delivers with impact
Together embraces diversity and inclusion, and are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. Not only do we welcome difference – we celebrate it, support it and really value our colleagues for who they are. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills. If you feel you'd benefit from any support or reasonable adjustments during any stage of the recruitment process, please don't hesitate to let us know when completing your application. This information will be picked up by our team, so we can try and put steps in place to help you be at your best through this process.
Please note that all successful applicants will undergo relevant employment reference, financial and criminal record checks.
Director of Financial Crime and MLRO employer: Together Financial
Together Financial is an attractive employer due to its comprehensive benefits package, including generous holiday allowances and health plans. The company promotes a positive work culture that values employee well-being and offers opportunities for professional development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Financial Crime and MLRO
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Together Financial. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Financial Crime and MLRO
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Together Financial.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Together Financial's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Together Financial
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Together Financial.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Together Financial will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Together Financial employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
