Head Of Financial Crime Prevention

Head of Financial Crime Prevention                                             

Hybrid/ Manchester 

Salary, up to £70,700 + Car Allowance

full time, 35 hours per week

Want to change the world? A career that makes a difference

We’re not a bank that follows the crowd. Instead, we like to stand out for all the right reasons. Our bank is built on co-operative values that stand strong today. A lot has happened in 150 years, we don’t just help people with their money, but help people fight for justice and the causes they care about. Our unique customer-led Ethical Policy, has made us a natural leader in environmental and social issues today, and we’re market leaders in ESG as rated by leading ESG ratings agency Sustainalytics*.

There has never been a more pressing time for our Bank to focus our efforts on causes that matter to our customers and colleagues. Why not see where you can make a change, and join the UK’s original ethical bank to continue our ambitions to lead the industry on environmental and social issues in 2024 and beyond.

This role is hybrid working, with the requirement to attend our Skelmersdale or Manchester office 3 times a week. On occasion you will be requested to attend our Leek office.

The role:

As the Fraud & AML Prevention Manager, you’ll shape, define and lead specialist Financial Crime support across 1LOD to ensure compliance with the Bank’s Financial Crime (AML & Fraud) risk policies, control standards and procedural documentation (and more broadly across the Risk Management Framework).

You’ll also use your expert advice and guidance to enable Financial Crime responsibilities, across both Retail and SME banking environments, are fully understood with sufficient evidence in place to ensure that the Executive Directors are able to discharge their SMR and risk owner accountabilities. Assisting with informing and evolving fraud defences to detect and prevent fraud and ensuring products and service developed are compliant with requirements in respect of Financial Crime Prevention.

Key Accountabilities:

• Provide Fraud & AML expertise and consultancy support across all areas of accountability. Carry out analyses and investigations (independently or through technical/specialist leadership) of complex problems, issues and opportunities. Present your own ideas and views, raise issues and challenge where appropriate.
• Review and assess compliance of existing Fraud & AML processes and procedures with the Bank wide control standards.  Where gaps or deficiencies are identified, ensure that an appropriate remediation plan is in place and tracked through to a conclusion.
• Review, develop and analyse Fraud & AML Risk MI in order to identify emerging Financial Crime risks and issues or deficient controls.
• Provision of trusted, fit for purpose advice and support to business areas to ensure the customer receives fair outcomes and avoids Financial Crime breaches.
• Responsible for the development of Fraud & AML training, awareness strategies and action plans where gaps or capability issues are identified. Ensuring corrective actions are delivered on a timely basis and in line with regulations.
• Responsible for the overall delivery of the Financial Crime Education Plan for colleagues and customers.
• Ensure that the Risk Owner has sufficient evidence to demonstrate that they are discharging their accountabilities under the Risk Management Framework through the provision of an appropriate level of reporting and governance, risk events, issues and action management.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required:

• Detailed understanding of operational processes across Retail & SME banking
• Expert Fraud & AML knowledge
• High level of understanding of the Risk Management Framework
• Hold a relevant professional qualification in Financial Crime and/or Risk Management
• Strategic thinking – identifying strategic risks and helping define objectives and plans demonstrating a clear understanding of the bank’s strategy.
• Excellent stakeholder management and negotiation skills.
• Ability to interact and influence with stakeholders across all levels of the organisation
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Comprehensive understanding of company strategy and objectives and has the ability to directly align role to the business strategy

What You Can Expect From Us:

• Flexible and remote working
• Car Allowance and Private Medical
• 27 days holiday rising to 30 with service, plus opportunity to buy 5 extra days
• Annual Bonus Scheme
• Competitive pension with up to 10% employer contribution
• Income protection / life assurance
• Commitment from employers on continued learning & development
• Wellbeing support ‘Help@Hand’ offers mental health support, physiotherapy, GP’s for both you and your family.
• 2 paid days for volunteering per year
• Family friendly policies and supportive working environment
• Colleague network groups committed to inclusion and diversity within our Bank.

We can only consider candidates with the right to work in the UK at this time.

Our Bank is committed to continuing to create a diverse workforce and an inclusive environment where all colleagues can fulfil their potential. We welcome applications from talented individuals from all backgrounds and lifestyles who can work with us in maintaining a culture of belonging, where people are valued and respected.

If your application is selected for recruitment, we will ask if you require any reasonable adjustments in order to proceed to an interview with us.

If you require more information or this document in a different format, please contact careers@co-operativebank.co.uk

As a reputable employer regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, all offers of employment for this role are subject to a series of background checks, including criminal (DBS) and financial checks.

*Rated by Morningstar Sustainalytics in the Regional Banks sub-industry with a score of 8.5 as of 9 October 2023.