At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead UCL's payment fraud prevention and ensure compliance in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join one of the world's top universities with a diverse community.
- Benefits: 41 days holiday, pension scheme, gym access, and employee support services.
- Other info: Opportunity to influence UCL's payment landscape and collaborate with various teams.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in safeguarding against financial crime at a prestigious institution.
- Qualifications: Experience in payments, fraud prevention, and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
UCL is one of the world's leading universities, consistently ranked among the global top 10. With a community of more than 50,000 students and 16,000 staff from over 150 countries, we are committed to delivering world‑class education, research and innovation while providing an exceptional experience for everyone who studies and works here. Our Finance Services team is responsible for the financial transactions that support the university's operations, including student fees, accounts payable, credit and collections, treasury operations, NHS billing and payroll.
As the complexity and volume of digital payments continue to evolve, ensuring a secure, efficient and compliant payments landscape is more important than ever. This is an exciting opportunity to join UCL at a time of ongoing transformation and play a key role in protecting the institution, our students, staff, suppliers and customers from financial crime and fraud risks.
About the role
As Payment Fraud Manager, you will be UCL's subject matter expert for payments, fraud prevention and anti‑money laundering (AML) activity. You will take ownership of the university's payment fraud framework, helping to protect a complex and high‑volume payments environment while ensuring compliance with relevant regulatory and legal obligations. Working closely with colleagues across Finance Services, Student Recruitment, Procurement, Commercial Services and Technology teams, you will identify vulnerabilities, strengthen controls and implement improvements that reduce fraud exposure and enhance the payment experience. You will oversee fraud monitoring, investigate suspicious activity, manage AML processes and support sanctions screening and Politically Exposed Person (PEP) assessments.
The role offers a unique opportunity to influence the future of UCL's payments landscape. You will work closely with external payment providers, banking partners and technology suppliers to optimise performance, improve fraud prevention capabilities and support the introduction of new payment solutions. Through data analysis and reporting, you will provide insights to senior leaders on fraud trends, financial risks and opportunities for continuous improvement. You will also build strong external networks across the higher education, banking and payments sectors, ensuring UCL remains informed about emerging threats, industry developments and best practice in fraud prevention and payment security.
About you
You will be an experienced payments, fraud prevention or financial crime professional with a strong understanding of payment ecosystems, banking mechanisms and card scheme frameworks. Comfortable operating in a complex environment, you will combine technical expertise with a practical and proactive approach to identifying risks, solving problems and delivering improvements. You will have experience managing fraud prevention activities, transaction monitoring and AML processes, with the ability to analyse large volumes of data and translate findings into meaningful actions and recommendations. Strong analytical skills are essential, along with experience using data and reporting tools to identify trends, measure performance and support decision‑making.
As a trusted specialist, you will be confident communicating complex technical concepts to a wide range of audiences and building effective relationships with stakeholders across different functions and levels of seniority. You will be equally comfortable working independently and collaboratively, balancing day‑to‑day operational oversight with longer‑term strategic improvements. Most importantly, you will be curious, detail‑oriented and motivated by the opportunity to make a tangible impact. You will thrive in an environment where you can influence change, strengthen controls and help safeguard one of the world's leading universities against evolving fraud and financial crime risks.
What we offer
As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits:
- 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave, 8 bank holidays and 6 closure days)
- Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme
- Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
- Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
- Relocation scheme for certain posts
- On‑site gym
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
- Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
- Discounted medical insurance
Visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/rewards-and-benefits to find out more.
Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.
Payment Fraud Manager employer: UK Dementia Research Institute
UCL is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises innovation and collaboration within a diverse community of over 16,000 staff. As a Payment Fraud Manager, you will benefit from extensive professional development opportunities, a generous holiday allowance, and a supportive environment that values your contributions to safeguarding the university against financial crime. Located in London, UCL provides access to a wealth of resources and networks, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the higher education sector.
Contact Details:
UK Dementia Research Institute Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Payment Fraud Manager
✨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 UK Dementia Research Institute. 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 Payment Fraud Manager
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 UK Dementia Research Institute.
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 UK Dementia Research Institute'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 UK Dementia Research Institute
✨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 UK Dementia Research Institute.
✨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 UK Dementia Research Institute 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 UK Dementia Research Institute 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.
