Economic Crime Risk and Controls Lead

MERJE is seeking an experienced financial crime professional to join a leading FS business who are looking for an Economic Crime Risk and Controls Lead. This senior leadership position offers the opportunity to shape and oversee critical risk management frameworks across sanctions, money laundering, fraud, and compliance functions.

£55-58k

Bedfordshire - 2-3 days a week in the office

The Role

The EC Risk and Controls lead role encompasses functional responsibility for risk assessment, quality assurance, risk appetite, and management information across all economic crime risk types. Reporting directly to the Group Economic Crime Director & MLRO, this position provides strategic oversight and ensures regulatory compliance throughout the organisation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design and operate core components of the Group Economic Crime Risk Management Framework, including risk assessment, quality assurance, risk appetite, and MI reporting across all business areas
• Ensure robust financial crime risk assessment processes meet regulatory expectations and industry best practice, delivering clear outputs to senior management and executives for informed decision-making
• Establish and maintain quality assurance frameworks providing independent second-line assurance around key first-line economic crime controls across the Group
• Coordinate stakeholders in drafting Economic Crime Risk Appetite Statements, track performance against metrics, and escalate out-of-appetite positions appropriately
• Produce comprehensive management information and reporting for the MLRO, Executive Risk Committee, Boards, and external regulators, maintaining data integrity and accessibility

Required knowledge and experience:

• Comprehensive understanding of UK financial crime laws, regulations, guidance, and industry standards
• Previous leadership-level experience managing financial crime processes, procedures, and teams within a regulated financial institution
• Excellent financial crime data analysis skills, with proven ability to manage large datasets, identify trends, and produce insightful reports combining multiple data sources
• Strong ability to assess short- and long-term impacts of commercial decisions on risk, with innovative problem-solving capabilities and sound judgement
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with ability to influence and challenge stakeholders at all organisational levels whilst building collaborative working relationships

This position represents an excellent opportunity for an accomplished 2LOD financial crime professional to make a significant impact within a major UK organisation. If you possess the requisite technical expertise, 2nd line and leadership experience, we encourage you to apply for the role

Applicants must be located and eligible to work in the UK without sponsorship.

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