Ashton Recruitment is recruiting on behalf of our client for an experienced Financial Crime Specialist to join their Risk and Compliance function in Romford.

Financial Crime Specialist – AML & Compliance

Location: Romford, Essex
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced financial services compliance professional to take a key role in the prevention and investigation of financial crime within an FCA-regulated environment.

The successful candidate will provide financial crime and regulatory compliance support across the business, carrying out investigations, advising internal and external stakeholders and supporting the Financial Crime Compliance Manager and MLRO.

Key Responsibilities

• Investigate and report suspicious activity relating to financial crime and money laundering
• Take ownership of more complex financial crime investigations and cases
• Identify cases requiring onward escalation to clients, regulators or relevant enforcement bodies
• Provide practical advice to the business and clients on financial crime and compliance matters
• Support the Financial Crime Compliance Manager and deputise when required
• Assist with oversight of AML screening and ID&V controls
• Review sanctions, Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) and adverse media screening
• Review and approve relevant financial crime procedures, documentation and training materials
• Carry out regulatory horizon scanning across FCA and wider financial crime developments
• Monitor developments from bodies including the FCA, JMLSG, FATF and HM Treasury
• Assess regulatory changes and ensure policies, procedures and controls remain compliant
• Produce financial crime management information and reporting
• Attend client meetings and provide updates on financial crime and compliance matters
• Support the MLRO and wider Risk and Compliance function
• Work closely with operational and compliance teams to promote a strong compliance culture

Essential Criteria

• Previous experience within the retail financial services industry, specialising in financial crime prevention and/or anti-money laundering
• Regulatory compliance experience within an FCA-regulated financial services environment
• Strong understanding of UK regulatory requirements relating to financial crime and money laundering
• Good knowledge of AML, sanctions, PEPs and financial crime screening
• Good understanding of JMLSG guidance
• Understanding of FCA regulatory requirements within financial services
• Strong investigation and analytical skills
• Ability to interpret regulatory requirements and provide practical compliance advice
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Confidence influencing and communicating with management-level stakeholders
• Strong attention to detail and decision-making skills
• Excellent planning, organisation and time-management skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint

Desirable

• ICA qualification
• ACAMS certification
• Professional qualification in regulatory compliance, financial crime or anti-money laundering
• Experience within Life & Pensions or outsourced financial services
• Knowledge of risk management and audit controls
• Wider knowledge of financial crime and AML industry best practice
• Experience using SQL
• Advanced Excel skills, including VBA/macros

The Ideal Candidate

You will be an experienced financial crime or AML professional who is comfortable investigating complex cases, interpreting regulatory requirements and providing practical advice to both operational teams and senior stakeholders.

You will have a strong understanding of the FCA-regulated financial services environment and be confident working across AML, sanctions, PEP screening, suspicious activity investigations and regulatory change.

This role would suit candidates currently working as a Financial Crime Analyst, Senior AML Analyst, Financial Crime Officer, AML Compliance Officer or Financial Crime Specialist who are looking to take on broader responsibility within a compliance function.

If you have strong financial crime and AML experience within UK financial services, apply today through Ashton Recruitment.

If interested, apply directly or contact Michael on 028 9043 6543.

Ashton Recruitment is acting as a Recruitment Agency.