Overview

Our client, a leading banking group, is seeking to appoint an excellent Head of Financial Crime to join its Insurance, Pensions & Investments (IP&I) business, an area on a mission to redefine the industry through innovation, data, and customer-first digital experiences.

This is a high-impact leadership role; reporting to the Chief Controls Officer, you’ll design a robust and scalable economic crime framework, lead a high-performing team, and drive transformation of the control environment using automation, AI, and actionable insights.

This is an opportunity to influence at the highest levels, lead meaningful change, and help protect millions of customers while enabling sustainable growth of a leading UK financial services provider.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and delivery of a proactive, data-led economic crime control environment across fraud, AML, sanctions, and anti-bribery.
• Develop and inspire a high-performing, diverse, and commercially focused team across onshore and offshore locations.
• Champion innovation by integrating automation, AI, and insights to enhance control effectiveness and customer outcomes.
• Support the delivery of exceptional end-to-end customer experiences while ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Lead control testing, risk assessments, and governance reporting, working with regulators and internal/external stakeholders.
• Partner across Group functions, sharing insights and best practices to strengthen the Group’s economic crime posture.

Qualifications

The successful candidate will have proven experience in financial crime risk management (fraud, AML, sanctions, ABC), including policy design, regulatory compliance, and control testing. A track record of building, leading, and motivating high-performing, diverse teams in fast-paced environments. Strong ability to balance regulatory requirements with commercial objectives and customer needs – especially in vulnerable customer contexts. Comfortable with ambiguity and transformation, with experience driving innovation through data, technology, and process improvement. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence at all levels, including executive and regulatory stakeholders. A strong understanding of the Insurance, Pensions & Investments landscape, with experience in hybrid or digital transformation initiatives.

About the job

• Contract Type: Permanent
• Workplace Type: Hybrid
• Experience Level: Director
• Location: Edinburgh
• Specialism: Risk & Compliance
• Focus: Financial Crime
• Industry: Insurance
• Salary: £120,000 - £140,000 per annum + Plus benefits

Robert Walters Operations Limited is an employment business and employment agency and welcomes applications from all candidates.

Date posted: 1 October 2025

Consultant: Claire Singer