Head of Financial Crime Operations

We have the new and exciting opportunity to join us as the Head of Financial Crime Operations. This role will lead the financial crime operations function of the group, covering risk disciplines across anti money laundering, sanctions, terrorist financing and the facilitation of tax evasion. This is a senior leadership position ensuring effective risk management, compliance with regulatory requirements, and implementation of operational strategies to detect and prevent financial crime.

 The person in role will provide leadership to operational teams handling financial crime due diligence reviews (including EDD), transaction monitoring and sanctions/AML screening alert reviews, thorough and timely investigations to deem suspicion and ensure timely disclosure to the law enforcement through SAR reporting, whilst ensuring post SAR risk mitigation is adequate with a well-established feedback loop to the strategy and analytics team. It will also provide effective reporting and thought leadership around utilising data and analytics to drive efficiency within operational processes.

 The role holder will also ensure governance frameworks align with legal, regulatory, and compliance obligations as well as reporting on key risks, trends, and mitigation strategies to senior leadership and regulatory bodies.

 Benefits:

•  28 days holiday a year plus bank holidays and a holiday buy/sell scheme
• Annual discretionary bonus scheme
• Personal pension with enhanced contributions
• Car allowance
• Private medical and health screenings
• Maternity, paternity and shared parental leave
• Extensive wellbeing support
• Life assurance (6 times annual salary)

Find out more about the fantastic benefits of joining Coventry Building Society here

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

For this role you’ll already be an Economic Crime Expert with detailed knowledge and experience of AML, sanctions, tax evasion, and respective regulatory requirements and how these are applied through effective operational strategies.

• Strong senior leadership experience with a passion for developing others and driving high standards within Economic Crime.
• Significant experience of leading financial crime operations through significant change programs.
• SME insight into best-in-class financial crime risk management and how this translates through operational discipline.
• Experience in financial services and / or banking.
• AML experience including due diligence and / or transaction monitoring. 
• Leadership & Stakeholder Management with the experience to collaborate with and influence senior stakeholders, regulators, and law enforcement.
• Strong data analysis, investigative, and risk assessment capabilities.
• Good regulatory knowledge with a deep understanding of FCA, PRA, AML/CTF, and sanctions regulations in financial services.
• Sound Technological Proficiency with experience with financial crime detection systems, AI, and data analytics tools.

• Certifications in ICA Diploma in Financial Crime Prevention, CAMS (Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist), CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner),CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) or equivalent.
• Experience of leading through an integration.

In 2025, Coventry Building Society purchased The Co-operative Bank. Bringing together our purpose-led building society with the UK’s original ethical bank was the start of an exciting journey.

Trusted by over four million people, we’re a mutually owned business free from shareholders, and with our combined experience of almost 300 years, our ethics and dedication will continue to guide us. Together, we have shared values and an ethical approach towards our members, customers and colleagues.

We’re officially recognised as a ‘Great Place to Work’ and our benefits go beyond basic pay, with a discretionary bonus scheme, a culture of reward and recognition and comprehensive support for wellbeing. 

We’re serious about equality, of race, age, faith, disability, and sexual orientation and we celebrate diversity. By working together, we know you’ll build more than just a career with us.

Flexibility and why it matters

We understand the need for flexibility, so wherever possible, we’ll consider alternative working patterns. Have a chat with us before you apply to see what the possibilities are for this role.                 

Proud to be a Disability Confident Committed Employer

We’re proud to offer an interview or assessment to every disabled applicant who meet the minimum criteria for our vacancies. As part of the application process, disabled applicants can opt in for the Disability Confident Interview Scheme. If there are ever occasions where it is not practicable to interview all candidates that meet the essential criteria, such as when we receive a high number of applications, we commit to interviewing disabled candidates who best meet the minimum essential and desirable criteria.