Deputy Head of Financial Crime (1LOD)

b Overview /b p As Deputy Head of Financial Crime, you will lead the first-line financial crime function, combining hands-on analysis with strategic oversight. You’ll drive the transition from a manual, legacy operation to a data- and automation-driven model, strengthening controls while maintaining audit rigor. You will mentor and develop the team, shape risk-based policy, and report results to senior stakeholders. This role offers impact across governance, data analytics, and process improvement within a values-driven bank focused on growth and integrity. You will help Shawbrook scale its financial crime capabilities in a dynamic, modern banking environment. /p b Pay / Benefits /b ul li Headspace mindfulness app /li li Peppy fertility/parental support app /li li Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) /li li Cycle to work scheme /li li Contributory pension scheme /li li Minimum 27 days holiday /li /ul b Responsibilities /b ul li Oversee day-to-day financial crime operations including transaction monitoring, investigations, screening, CDD and EDD /li li Escalate complex cases and manage operational bottlenecks with timely, evidence-based decisions /li li Approve activities within delegated authority in line with policy and risk appetite /li li Represent the function in the absence of Head of Financial Crime Risk Services /li li Analyze operational and risk data to identify trends and control weaknesses /li li Champion AI and automation to streamline processes and improve detection quality /li li Collaborate with data/tech partners to translate insights into improvements /li li Contribute to MI and reporting capability as the function matures /li li Design, document and maintain robust procedures and controls, ensuring they are audit-ready /li li Complete risk assessments across products and processes and translate findings into controls /li li Support development and testing of the financial crime control library /li li Identify control gaps and lead remediation through closure /li li Produce high-quality reports and MI packs for governance forums and committees /li li Present risk and performance clearly to senior stakeholders /li li Prepare materials for Executive Committee and Board risk reporting as required /li li Build relationships with senior stakeholders and balance operational needs with robust controls /li li Advise and mentor team through the transformation to a data- and automation-driven operating model /li li Support development and career progression across the team /li li Act as a mentor and coach to team leads and senior members /li /ul b Key requirements /b ul li Significant financial crime experience in a regulated financial services firm /li li Proven experience managing and developing people while remaining hands-on /li li Experience designing, documenting and embedding financial crime policies and controls /li li Experience conducting or contributing to financial crime risk assessments (BWRA, RCSA, or equivalent) /li li Experience producing and presenting MI and reports to senior stakeholders and governance committees /li li Practical knowledge of applying AI, automation or data analytics to financial crime processes /li li Strong analytical mindset and ability to work with data to identify patterns and trends /li li Good knowledge of regulatory obligations (MLRs, JMLSG, PoCA, sanctions) /li li Ability to communicate clearly with both technical and executive audiences /li li Comfortable leading from the front and coaching others /li li Desirable professional qualification (e.g., ICA Diploma, ACAMS) /li li Experience in data or automation transformation programmes in risk/compliance (desirable) /li /ul ul li Leadership by example /li li Resilience under scrutiny /li li Pragmatic and commercially aware /li li Excel /li li SQL /li li Power BI /li /ul