Head of Financial Crime Operations Transformation – 6 Month Fixed Term Contract

Starling Bank

. Hold accountability for Starling Bank’s financial crime interim operational delivery and transformation across AML, CTF, CDD, and EDD teams .

Posted 11/4/2026full-timeManchester • United KingdomLeadWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates deep expertise in UK Financial Crime regulatory guidelines and a proven track record in managing financial crime operations. Exhibits strong leadership and analytical skills to drive operational transformation and continuous improvement in compliance and risk management.

Highest-signal resume keywords

UK Financial Crime Regulatory GuidelinesFinancial Crime Operations ManagementRisk Framework TransformationAnalytical MindsetOperational KPI Management

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

AMLCTFCDDEDDStatistical AnalysisOperational WorkflowsData ManagementProcess OptimizationRisk-Based ApproachChange Management

Soft Skills

Accountable LeadershipCustomer-FocusedExcellent CommunicationProblem-SolvingConflict Resolution

Industry Keywords

MLRsJMLSGPEPsSanctionsFinancial Crime TypologiesSME CustomersGovernanceOperational DeliveryContinuous ImprovementEmpowered Culture

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Hold accountability for Starling Bank’s financial crime interim operational delivery and transformation across AML, CTF, CDD, and EDD teams
Lead a team of senior professionals and team managers in the First Line of Defence
Influence transformation of strategic direction and ensure robust governance aligned with departmental strategy and the Bank’s Risk Appetite
Oversee Operations transformation and operational delivery for AML, CTF, CDD, and EDD across customer segments in line with agreed SLAs
Ensure alert handling and case reviews are completed to a high quality and in a timely manner
Maintain resourcing to handle workload demand and manage operational KPIs, OKRs, and KRIs
Lead continuous improvement of the control environment, focusing teams on a risk-based approach and reducing false-positive alerts
Maintain awareness of financial crime typologies unique to SME customers
Partner with SME leadership and commercial teams to build, develop, and align financial crime capabilities and operating models for SME customers
Partner across 2nd Line Risk, Compliance, Product, Engineering, and Data to embed new initiatives and regulatory updates
Identify opportunities to optimise processes, drive continuous improvements, and improve customer outcomes
Deliver consistent communication across teams and engage operational managers to create an empowered problem-solving culture
Navigate complex organisational challenges, including change management
Resolve significant team or functional conflicts while making risk decisions with departmental impact
Report to the Director of Specialist Banking Operations

Requirements

What you’ll need

Deep subject matter expertise in UK Financial Crime regulatory guidelines, MLRs, JMLSG, PEPs, and Sanctions
Technical competency in understanding models, data, MI, statistical analysis, and operational workflows
Proven track record of managing and transforming financial crime operations and risk frameworks within regulated banking
Accountable, resilient, and customer-focused leadership style that role models Starling Group values
Ability to make difficult decisions with full transparency
Analytical mindset
Ability to champion simplicity across functions, encourage external input and disruptive thinking, and raise the bar for strategic performance
Excellent communication and listening skills
Ability to create a safe environment to share feedback, surface issues, and resolve conflicting requirements across functions
Ability to work 37.5 hours per week, with shifts between 9am and 5:30pm Monday to Friday
Expected to travel to other office locations depending on business needs

Benefits

Comp & perks

Work on projects that directly shape the future of banking and improve customers' financial lives
Freedom to accomplish goals in innovative ways at a technology-led bank
Collaborative, empowered, and forward-thinking team culture
Opportunities for professional growth, learning new technologies, taking on new challenges, and owning interesting work from day one
Living Wage employer
Flexible working
Fair, open, and safe working environment with compassion and inclusion
Company-enhanced salary sacrifice pension scheme with 7% employer contribution
Private Medical Insurance with Vitality, including mental health support and cancer care
Partner discounts with Waitrose, Mr&Mrs Smith, and Peloton
25 days holiday plus flexible use of public holiday allowance
Extra day's holiday for birthday
Life Insurance at 4x salary
16 hours of paid volunteering time per year
Ability to buy or sell annual leave
Generous family-friendly policies
Annual leave increases with length of service
Option to buy or sell up to five extra days off
Incentivised refer a friend scheme
Perkbox membership with retail discounts, wellness platform access for physical and mental health, and weekly free and boosted perks
Cycle to Work initiative
Salary Sacrificed Gym partnerships
Electric Vehicle (EV) leasing