Head of Financial Crime Operations

Role Title: Head of Financial Crime Operations

Reports to: Global Director of Financial Crime Operations

Location: London/Birmingham/Ireland/Wilmslow (Hybrid)

Job Type: Permanent

About EML

EML Payments is a global leader in the fintech space. Our mission is to create awesome, instant, and secure payment solutions that connect our customers to their customers, anytime, anywhere, wherever money is in motion. Our Purpose is to inspire transformative digital change for our customers and communities.

As an issuer and processor, we provide our clients and partners with innovative alternatives to traditional banking solutions for reloadable and non-reloadable programs. We are agile, we are innovative. We take a partnership approach; we tailor solutions and place a strong focus on operational excellence.

Our place is one of collaboration, teamwork & innovation. But, above all, it’s one that embraces difference. And rather than have you blend in, we want to help you unleash your full potential.

The team you’ll be joining

Every day, our team tackles some of the most complex and evolving threats related to money laundering, fraud, terrorist financing and sanctions. We operate at speed and scale, monitoring transactions, investigating suspicious patterns and safeguarding our customers, EML and the global financial system.

This isn’t your average operations team. We are global in scope with specialists in data analytics, investigations, fraud and anti-money laundering. We collaborate with law enforcement and internal business units to ensure every risk is assessed and our customers are protected.

Operating across multiple jurisdictions, the department works closely with Compliance, Technology and Commercial teams to own and manage financial crime risk in the first line of defence (1LOD).

The Role

The Head of Financial Crime Operations will report directly to the Global Director of Financial Crime Operations and will be responsible for the line management of teams conducting AML Transaction Monitoring, Client Due Diligence (KYB and KYC), Screening (Payments and Cardholders). Key stakeholders include Compliance, Technology, Commercial and will work with external parties including third party vendors and customers.

What you’ll do

• Oversee, lead and manage the first line of defence teams conducting transaction monitoring, customer due diligence (KYB/KYC), enhanced due diligence (EDD) and payments sanctions screening for EML globally.
• Support the delivery of significant control improvements to the first line of defence.
• Develop a high-performing team, fostering a culture of ownership, curiosity, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with Product and Technology to enhance the financial crime technology offering and where appropriate drive the adoption of machine learning, AI and data analytics to enhance analyst experience and efficiency.
• Work with the Head of Fraud to ensure financial crime processes have clear hand offs and escalation paths across the department.
• Be an escalation point for the Financial Crime Operations team for complex cases and queries.
• Support regulatory exams and audits when required.
• Ensure procedures and best practice are always followed.
• Establish key risk indicators, metrics and dashboards for management and board reporting.
• Deputise for the Director of Financial Crime Operations when required.

What you’ll bring

• A proven track record of leading and enhancing globally disbursed financial crime operations teams.
• Experience using, enhancing and tuning third party financial crime tools and third-party platforms.
• A practical understanding of global AML, CTF and Sanctions regulation.
• Strong commercial acumen with a consideration of how system and process controls impact client experience and operational costs.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with stakeholders and all levels of the organisation.
• A high standard of written and analytical skills with the ability to identify and assess financial crime risks and propose appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Professional qualifications such as CAMS or ICA are highly desirable.

What you will be offered

If you love what you do, you should love where you do it. We appreciate that everyone’s different and has their own preferences of where and how to work. We genuinely believe in the power of regular face-to-face interactions in building close connections with our teams, but we also strongly believe people can work effectively remotely. This means that combining both is the key to success.

• 25 days annual leave plus 2 days for volunteering, plus your birthday off - Plus an additional Take5 days should you use all of your 25 days!
• Global business landscape that connects you with colleagues working throughout Australia, UK, North America and Europe with both short-term and long-term secondment options.
• Hybrid working - Be empowered to work smarter, in a way that suits your lifestyle
• Company Enhanced Family Leave Options*
• 12 weeks paid New Parent Leave*
• Paid Professional Memberships
• Pension Scheme*
• Short term bonus scheme*
• Company Private Medical Insurance Scheme – 50% covered by EML*
• Long term illness cover – 75% of your basic Annual Salary
• Life Assurance (Death in Service) Cover – 4x your basic Annual Salary
• Employee Assistance Programme – accessible 24/7
• BenefitsHub – get discount vouchers for your favourite retailers

(*some benefits are subject to qualifying criteria)

Company Culture and Values

Our place is one of collaboration, teamwork & innovation. But, above all, it’s one that embraces difference. And rather than have you blend in, we want to help you unleash your full potential.

Company Structure

EML is an ASX listed company head quartered in Brisbane, Australia, with approximately 480 employees throughout Australia, Europe, the UK, and America.

EEO Statement

Integrated into our Core Values is EML's commitment to diversity and inclusion. EML is committed to being a globally inclusive company where all people are treated fairly, recognised for their individuality, promoted based on performance and encouraged to strive to reach their full potential.

We believe in understanding and respecting differences. This concept encompasses but is not limited to human differences with regard to race, ethnicity, religion, gender, culture, and physical ability. Every individual at EML has an ongoing responsibility to respect and support a globally diverse environment.