Regional Head of Financial Crime Operations

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’re a bank, but better: fairer, easier to use and designed to demystify money for everyone. We employ more than 3,000 people across our London, Southampton, Cardiff and Manchester offices.

About the role:

Reporting to our Director of Financial Crime Operations, this new role will provide leadership across teams responsible for both AML and Fraud Operations at Starling Bank. This role requires a deep understanding of Operations management, with experience in managing Fraud, Anti-Money Laundering and Customer Due Diligence operations and developing strategies, an ability to foresee potential vulnerabilities, and the skills to lead a multidisciplinary team in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

The successful candidate will be Manchester based and spend a minimum of 10 days per month in the office, with the rest from home. Travel to our other operational sites (Cardiff, London & Southampton) will be required.

This individual should possess a wealth of Senior Operations leadership experience ideally in the financial crime space.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Operational Leadership: Oversee daily operations of the AML & CTF, CDD, EDD and all fraud departments, ensuring optimal performance and compliance.
• Defining strategy: Collaborate with the Head of Financial Crime Governance & Strategy to design and enhance operational analytics, reporting, planning, change, risk, governance and controls.
• Project Management: Oversee and provide insight, leadership and guidance in relation to projects that fall outside of BAU operations.
• Implement Operational frameworks and structure to enhance and develop the Fin Crime Operational teams.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with key internal stakeholders.
• Accountable for the Operational performance of the Financial Crime Operation.
• Team Development and Leadership: Develop, coach and lead Head of departments and their teams.
• Ensure regular collaboration with stakeholders and participate in the development of new rules and controls.

Behaviours & Competencies:

• Operational Excellence: Enthusiasm and drive to produce the best operational teams.
• Inspirational: The ability to inspire and motivate their team.
• Time Management: Ability to manage time and juggle various tasks.
• Stakeholder Management: Build and maintain good working relationships with all areas of fin crime.
• Communication: Exceptional communication and presentation skills.
• Knowledge: A deep understanding of financial crime prevention, anti-money laundering regulations, sanctions, and insurance laws.
• Highly organised and structured way of working.

Skills & Experience:

• A strong background in FC operations with a broad knowledge of Fraud, AML and CTF Operations.
• Subject Matter Expert: A detailed understanding of AML, KYC, Sanctions, Fraud, CTF, Tax Evasion and the UK regulatory environment.
• Ability to deliver presentations across all business levels.
• Strong data interpretation skills and persuasive presentation abilities.
• The ability to efficiently integrate, transform, model, and visualise data from various sources.
• Excellent communication and people leader skills.

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.
• Generous family-friendly policies.
• Incentives refer a friend scheme.
• Perkbox membership giving access to retail discounts.
• Access to initiatives like Cycle to Work, Salary Sacrificed Gym partnerships and Electric Vehicle (EV) leasing.

About us:

Starling Bank is an equal opportunity employer, and we’re proud of our ongoing efforts to foster diversity & inclusion in the workplace.