Financial Crime Manager (UK MLRO Office)

Job Description

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Financial Crime Manager to join the UK MLRO Office at Wise. This is a second-line managerial role that will play a crucial part in supporting the Deputy MLROs in discharging Wise Payments Limited's Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Terrorist Financing (CTF) obligations under UK regulations.

The successful candidate will be instrumental in ensuring the effectiveness of our financial crime controls in the UK, driving continuous improvement, and providing expert advice across a broad range of financial crime matters, including fraud.

Key Responsibilities:

AML/CTF Oversight & Support:

• Support the Deputy MLROs in the effective discharge of AML/CTF obligations, ensuring compliance with all relevant UK regulations.

• You are an excellent communicator, capable of articulating complex technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.

• Lead on day-to-day financial crime risk management activities and manage internal escalations effectively.

• Oversee the implementation and assess the effectiveness of AML/CTF controls across all UK products and services.

• Provide robust oversight of AML risks and controls specifically for Wise Platform partners.

Reporting & Stakeholder Engagement:

• Gather, draft and review Management Information (MI), board updates, and regulatory reports to support the MLRO reporting process.

• Act as an alternate point of contact for law enforcement agencies when required.

Policy & Process Improvement:

• Drive the continuous improvement of AML policies, systems, and operational processes to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of our financial crime framework.

Broader Financial Crime Expertise:

• Apply strong knowledge of fraud prevention and detection, working collaboratively with first-line teams including our product compliance colleagues to enhance fraud controls.

• Work with the first line on ongoing reporting in relation to authorised push payment and reimbursement fraud (APPR).

• Demonstrate a working knowledge of APPR and contribute to uplifting fraud controls and effectively managing UK fraud data.

• Proactively stay abreast of new regulatory requirements and industry best practices related to APPR and broader fraud prevention, providing expert input and translating these developments for internal implementation.

• Understand and articulate key risks for FIs offering correspondent services and work with first line on manage those financial crime risks whilst enabling the business to grow

• Support / advise 1LoD with enhancing the partnership onboarding procedures and oversee highest risk partner approvals/exceptions/advisory

• Be the first point of contact for the partner risk assessment team for partnership related high risk escalations and provide MI for ongoing monitoring of the existing partners

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a financial crime role within a regulated financial services environment in the UK, ideally financial technology or correspondent banking.

• Solid understanding of UK AML/CTF regulations, including the Money Laundering Regulations 2017.

• Demonstrable experience in managing financial crime risks and implementing effective controls.

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data and produce clear, concise reports.

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to engage effectively with various stakeholders, including senior management and regulators.

• Proactive and self-motivated with a strong attention to detail.

• Experience with APPR is highly desirable, as will form a fundamental area of focus in this role.

• Experience in fraud prevention and an understanding of UK fraud data is essential.

Additional Information

• Hybrid working - 3 days in the office and 2 from home

• Working hours - 9am to 6pm

For everyone, everywhere. We're people building money without borders — without judgement or prejudice, too. We believe teams are strongest when they are diverse, equitable and inclusive.

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Inclusive teams help us live our values and make sure every Wiser feels respected, empowered to contribute towards our mission and able to progress in their careers.

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