Executive Search Consultant - C-suite, Senior Leadership teams, within Risk & Compliance across the Fintech space, in Payments, Lending, Trading…

Head of Financial Crime (2nd Line)

About the Opportunity

We’re supporting a high growth fintech that’s helping small businesses manage their money more efficiently. As the company scales across the UK and internationally, we’re looking for an experienced Head of Financial Crime (2nd Line) to lead strategy, oversight, and challenge across its financial crime framework.

This is a senior, high impact role, ideal for someone who combines regulatory depth with a commercial and collaborative mindset.

What You’ll Do

• Define and evolve the financial crime strategy, framework, and policies in line with regulatory standards and business objectives.
• Own the Financial Crime Risk Assessment, providing oversight and challenge across key risk areas.
• Partner with Product, Risk, and Operations teams to embed effective controls and ensure financial crime risks are managed across products and markets.
• Provide independent 2nd Line challenge and advice on CDD/EDD, transaction monitoring, and suspicious activity reporting.
• Oversee targeted reviews and testing to assess the design and effectiveness of 1st Line controls.
• Advise leadership on emerging risks, regulatory changes, and opportunities for innovation in financial crime prevention.

What We’re Looking For

• 6+ years’ experience in financial crime compliance or AML oversight within UK financial services (Fintech or Neobank required).
• Strong knowledge of MLRs, POCA, sanctions regimes, and best practice standards.
• Proven track record of leading and developing high‑performing teams.
• Ability to influence and advise senior stakeholders, balancing regulatory integrity with business needs.
• Professional qualification (e.g., ICA Diploma in AML) is desirable.
• Commercially minded, collaborative, and comfortable operating in a fast‑paced, scaling environment.

Why This Role

This is a rare opportunity to shape and lead a 2nd Line Financial Crime function in a business where compliance is seen as a strategic partner, not a blocker. You’ll have the autonomy to drive improvements, influence direction, and build scalable frameworks that enable safe, sustainable growth.

Competitive salary, equity and benefits

Hybrid – London-based (3 days per week in office)

Seniority level

Director

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Finance