Senior Manager of Compliance (AML/Financial Crime role – Wholesale Banking)

THE COMPANY:

Our client is an international full-service commercial bank.  They are looking to hire a Senior Manager of Compliance for their London business. This role has a strong focus on financial crime, anti-money laundering (AML), sanctions, and anti-bribery and corruption (ABC) compliance.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Maintain and enhance the financial crime compliance framework, including policies, procedures, and controls, ensuring compliance with UK laws and regulatory requirements.
• Support the CCO to ensure the Branch comply with the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing, and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017.
• Assist the CCO to oversee the branch’s compliance with FCA/PRA regulations and JMLSG guidance related to financial crime.
• Assist the CCO in identifying, assessing, and managing financial crime risks, including AML, sanctions, ABC, and fraud risks.
• Support the preparation and submission of Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) to the National Crime Agency (NCA) and maintain related records.
• Conduct regular reviews of the Financial Crime Risk Assessments, escalating issues and recommending enhancements to mitigate risks.
• Monitor compliance with UK, International and US sanctions regimes, including screening payments and customer records for sanctions breaches.
• Oversee client onboarding processes, ensuring compliance with KYC, Customer Due Diligence (CDD), and Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) requirements for high-risk customers, including Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs).
• Conduct ongoing monitoring of customer activity and ensure accurate maintenance of client files and KYC documentation.
• Act as the primary point of contact in the MLRO’s absence.
• Provide advice to staff on financial crime issues and escalation protocols, ensuring that suspicious activity is reported appropriately.
• Assist the MLRO in preparing financial crime-related reports for senior management, Head Office, and regulatory bodies.
• Design and deliver AML, sanctions, and financial crime compliance training to staff, fostering a culture of compliance and risk awareness.
• Provide tailored guidance to front-office and operational teams on high-risk areas, such as sanctions screening and transaction monitoring.
• Assist in preparing for and managing internal and external audits and regulatory inspections related to financial crime compliance.
• Ensure timely resolution of any findings or recommendations from audits or reviews.
• Support the preparation of reports for internal committees (e.g., Management Committee (ManCo), Audit and Risk Committee (ARCo)) and Head Office.
• Act as a compliance representative in committees or meetings as required, presenting financial crime updates and escalating significant issues.
• Assist the CCO in implementing the branch’s Compliance Monitoring Programme, with a focus on financial crime-related activities.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• Must come from a Commercial/Wholesale/Corporate Banking background
• DMLRO /AML manager experience from wholesale banking background
• Strong knowledge of the regulatory requirements for third-country branches in the UK, including FCA and PRA rules, AML regulations, and JMLSG guidance.
• Significant experience in managing AML, sanctions compliance, and ABC programmes within a regulated financial institution; Practical knowledge of transaction monitoring systems and sanctions screening tools.
• Proven ability to fulfil MLRO responsibilities, including handling SARs, managing financial crime risks, and liaising with regulators.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail and meeting deadlines; Strong analytical and investigative skills to assess risks and identify suspicious activity.

For further information please contact Hannah Tabatabai