Financial Crime Quality Assurance Lead

The Quality Assurance Lead is tasked with designing, implementing, and enhancing the firm’s quality assurance (QA) framework to uphold the highest standards of financial crime prevention and compliance. Reporting to the Head of Governance & Oversight, this role provides independent, robust oversight of critical compliance functions, such as transaction monitoring, Know Your Client (KYC) processes, and customer due diligence reviews. The candidate will develop and execute control testing programs to evaluate the effectiveness of financial crime controls, ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements, internal policies, and industry standards. By fostering a culture of continuous improvement, the role strengthens governance frameworks, identifies risks, and delivers actionable insights to mitigate financial crime exposure within the firm’s legal operations.

Key responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain a robust QA framework for Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Terrorism Financing (CTF) compliance, supporting the firm’s obligations under applicable Financial Crime laws and regulations.
• Conduct independent reviews and control testing of Financial Crime compliance processes—such as transaction monitoring, KYC assessments, and customer due diligence—to identify deficiencies, evaluate control effectiveness, and drive corrective actions.
• Analyse QA results to deliver detailed, actionable insights and recommendations to the Head of Governance & Oversight, addressing compliance risks, control gaps, and potential enhancements.
• Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) and quality metrics to monitor the firm’s Financial Crime compliance performance, ensuring clarity and accountability within governance structures.
• Collaborate with internal teams to address weaknesses uncovered through QA reviews via targeted training, policy refinements, or process improvements.
• Manage the documentation and reporting of QA activities, maintaining thorough records to support audit readiness and regulatory or internal oversight requirements.
• Keep informed of evolving financial crime regulations, and risks specific to the legal sector, adapting the QA framework to strengthen compliance and address emerging threats.
• Assist the Head of Governance & Oversight in developing governance reports, risk assessments, and strategic initiatives to enhance the firm’s financial crime control environment.
• Comply with WHS obligations and responsibilities in accordance with the requirements for this role as set out on the firm intranet.

Qualifications, skills and experience

Educational Background

• Bachelor’s degree in Law, Business, Finance, Criminology, Risk Management, or a related discipline is preferred.
• Postgraduate qualifications in Financial Crime Compliance, Anti-Money Laundering, Risk Management, or QA would be advantageous.

Certifications

• Professional certifications or training in AML/CTF (e.g., ICA), risk management, or quality assurance methodologies are advantageous.

Experience

• 3 years+ in quality assurance, financial crime compliance, regulatory risk, or audit roles, preferably within a law firm, financial institution, or other entity subject to the UK’s AML/CTF regime.
• Experience conducting independent compliance reviews, quality assurance audits, and control testing in an AML/CTF or risk environment.
• Proven ability to assess AML/CTF risks, evaluate compliance frameworks, and drive quality improvement initiatives within a regulatory context.
• Strong background in KYC, CDD, transaction monitoring, and suspicious activity reporting (SAR) processes.
• Hands-on experience with QA methodologies, compliance control testing, and remediation planning, particularly in financial crime operations.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, working effectively with legal, compliance, and operational teams to implement QA improvements.
• Prior experience liaising with regulators such as the SRA is highly desirable.
• An innovative mindset, curious about AI and emerging technologies.

Key Performance Indicators

• Knowledge: In-depth understanding of AML/CTF compliance frameworks and UK regulatory expectations; strong working knowledge of KYC, CDD, transaction monitoring, and SMR requirements; familiarity with AML/CTF risk management principles, QA methodologies, and process improvement frameworks; understanding of key financial crime threats, typologies, and industry trends; awareness of internal audit principles, operational risk management, and control effectiveness testing.
• Skills: Expertise in designing and implementing QA programs for financial crime compliance functions; strong problem-solving and analytical capabilities; ability to develop and execute QA testing plans aligned with regulatory requirements and business needs; skilled in stakeholder engagement and collaboration across compliance, legal, and operational teams; strong verbal and written communication skills for reporting QA findings and recommendations to senior leadership; proficiency in using QA tools, risk assessment software, and data analytics platforms to track compliance trends; experience in developing and delivering training programs based on QA insights and compliance trends.
• Abilities: Ability to identify weaknesses in AML/CTF processes and drive corrective actions through structured QA programs; capacity to engage, influence, and educate stakeholders on the importance of quality assurance in financial crime risk management; flexibility to adapt QA methodologies in response to evolving regulatory expectations and risk assessments; ability to work under tight deadlines and regulatory scrutiny, ensuring accurate and effective QA oversight; dedication to continuous improvement, ensuring compliance processes evolve with emerging financial crime risks.
• Behaviours: Strong attention to detail to ensure consistency and accuracy in AML/CTF compliance monitoring; proactive approach to identifying and addressing quality control issues before they escalate into compliance failures; demonstrated integrity and ethical responsibility in handling sensitive compliance data and QA reporting; ability to work collaboratively within cross-functional teams to strengthen financial crime compliance efforts; commitment to ongoing learning and professional development, ensuring QA methodologies remain aligned with best practices.
• Attributes: Strategic mindset with the ability to align QA initiatives with broader financial crime risk management objectives; resilience and adaptability to navigate regulatory changes and evolving business risks; ability to balance compliance enforcement with business efficiency, ensuring QA processes enhance operational effectiveness; strong leadership capabilities, inspiring a culture of quality, accountability, and compliance excellence.

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