Director of Financial Crime & Payments

Location: Hybrid, Manchester
Salary: Competitive DOE

Our client is looking for an experienced Director of Financial Crime & Payments to lead the strategy, development and transformation of their Financial Crime and Payments functions.

This is a senior leadership opportunity for someone who combines deep financial crime expertise with a strong understanding of payment operations, technology and regulatory compliance. You'll play a pivotal role in shaping the organisation's future, driving innovation through AI and automation while ensuring robust controls, excellent customer outcomes and regulatory excellence.

As Director of Financial Crime & Payments, you'll be responsible for developing the organisation's financial crime operating model while providing executive oversight of payment operations across card payments, Faster Payments, BACS and other payment services.

Working closely with senior leaders across Product, Technology, Risk and Compliance, you'll lead strategic transformation programmes, champion the use of AI and machine learning, and ensure the business remains at the forefront of financial crime prevention and payment innovation.

• Lead the strategy and transformation of Financial Crime and Payments across the business.
• Develop and evolve the financial crime operating model to support business growth and regulatory compliance.
• Oversee financial crime controls across KYC, transaction monitoring, sanctions screening, fraud prevention and investigations.
• Drive the adoption of AI, machine learning and automation to improve operational efficiency and risk management.
• Provide executive oversight of payment operations, including card payments, Faster Payments, BACS and international payments.
• Manage strategic relationships with payment schemes, service providers and external partners.
• Ensure compliance with FCA regulations, payment scheme requirements and wider financial crime legislation.
• Partner with Product and Technology teams to develop innovative payment solutions.
• Present reporting and strategic updates to Executive Committees, Boards and regulatory stakeholders.
• Lead, develop and inspire high-performing Financial Crime and Payments teams.

• Significant senior leadership experience within Financial Crime, AML, Fraud, Payments or Risk in a regulated financial services environment.
• Extensive knowledge of the full financial crime lifecycle, including KYC, customer due diligence, transaction monitoring, sanctions screening and fraud management.
• Proven experience leading financial crime transformation programmes and operating model design.
• Strong understanding of UK financial crime regulations, FCA requirements and AML legislation.
• Experience implementing AI, machine learning or automation within regulated environments.
• Strong knowledge of UK payment schemes, including Mastercard, Faster Payments and BACS.
• Experience leading large-scale change programmes and engaging with regulators, auditors and executive stakeholders.
• Excellent commercial awareness with the ability to balance customer experience, risk and operational performance.

• Experience within fintech, challenger banks or e-money institutions.
• Knowledge of Visa, CHAPS, SWIFT and international payment schemes.
• Professional qualifications in Financial Crime, AML, Risk or Payments.

• Competitive salary.
• Hybrid working with flexibility to balance office and home working.
• The opportunity to shape the future of Financial Crime and Payments within a growing fintech business.
• A highly strategic leadership role with significant influence across the organisation.
• Exposure to cutting-edge AI and machine learning technologies.
• A collaborative, forward-thinking culture with genuine opportunities to drive innovation and transformation.

If you're an experienced leader looking to shape the future of financial crime prevention and payment services within an innovative financial services organisation, we'd love to hear from you.