Financial Crime Team Leader (Hybrid)

Overview

As a Financial Crime Team Leader, you will play a vital role in leading a dedicated team of financial crime analysts and investigators. You will ensure our organization’s compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) regulations and implement effective financial crime prevention measures. In this position, you will oversee day-to-day operations and manage complex cases, providing strategic guidance to enhance our risk mitigation efforts. Your leadership will be crucial in fostering a proactive approach to identifying and addressing potential financial crime threats. This role requires a dynamic leader with both technical expertise and the ability to drive a high-performing team. You will be at the forefront of safeguarding the organisation against financial crime, ensuring compliance, and implementing innovative solutions to combat evolving threats.

Working pattern

This is a hybrid role, with the team working in the office three days a week.

Your working week will consist of 7.5 hour shifts scheduled between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm, Monday to Friday. You will also be required to work one day of the weekend every other week, from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm, which will be worked remotely. If you work a weekend day, you will receive a day off during the week in lieu.

In addition, you will be required to work on two bank holidays per year, for which you will receive time off in lieu.

A day in the life

• Team Leadership: Lead and manage a team of financial crime analysts and investigators, providing guidance, support, and performance feedback.
• KPI Management: Ensure the team achieves key performance indicators (KPIs) for financial crime prevention, detection, and reporting.
• Collaborative Environment: Foster a culture of collaboration, encouraging the sharing of best practices and knowledge within the team.
• SAR Oversight: Oversee the investigation of suspicious activity reports (SARs) and ensure timely submissions to regulatory authorities.
• Transaction Monitoring: Monitor daily transactions to identify red flags related to money laundering, fraud, and terrorism financing.
• Cross-Department Collaboration: Work closely with other departments to facilitate seamless communication and case resolution.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure all financial crime activities comply with internal policies, regulatory requirements, and industry standards.
• Regulation Updates: Stay informed about changes in financial crime regulations and adjust policies and procedures as needed.
• Risk Assessment: Proactively identify and assess financial crime risks, developing strategies for effective mitigation.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including regulators, law enforcement agencies, and industry peers.
• Training and Awareness: Advocate for financial crime awareness throughout the organisation by conducting training sessions for non-specialised teams.
• Continuous Improvement: Review and enhance processes and systems for monitoring, detection, and investigation of financial crime.

About you

• Strong understanding of regulatory frameworks, including AML, KYC, and sanctions screening requirements, with a particular focus on transaction monitoring and mule activity.
• Proven ability to lead and motivate a team in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent analytical, investigative, and decision-making skills.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to present complex information to senior stakeholders.
• Proficiency in relevant tools and technologies, such as transaction monitoring systems, data analytics tools, and case management platforms.
• Experience using advanced data analytics or machine learning for financial crime detection.
• Familiarity with international regulatory environments and cross-border financial crime investigations.
• Strong knowledge of emerging risks in the fintech, cryptocurrency, or digital payments space.

Diversity Statement

Zopa is proud to offer a workplace free from discrimination. Diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds leads to better products for our customers and a unique company culture for our people. We are made up of nearly 50 nationalities, have a DE&I forum made up of Zopians wanting to make a difference and we are proud of our culture where everyone can bring their full self to work. Our approach to DE&I is reflected in our hiring process so please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments.

We’re expanding!

From September 2025, Zopa will be opening a brand-new office in Manchester at WeWork, Dalton Place, 29 John Dalton Street, M2 6WF.

At Zopa we value flexible ways of working. We value face-to-face collaboration and a good work-life balance. This hybrid role requires you to come to our Manchester office 2-3 days a week.

You\’ll also have the option of working from abroad for up to 120 days a year!*, subject to having the right to work in the country of choice.

*Subject to having the right to work in the country of choice

Important: We have removed irrelevant boilerplate and kept the content focused on responsibilities, qualifications, and expectations for this role. This description reflects the information provided and does not introduce new claims.