Financial Crime Operations Specialist

Job Description

Financial Crime Operations Specialist | Vanguard

The Tone:
This is a hybrid role at Vanguard, located in London, England, United Kingdom, requiring 3 days in the office (Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday). Vanguard is an investment management company focused on managing funds solely in the interests of its clients, providing low-cost, uncomplicated investments to help millions achieve their goals. This role is crucial for strengthening the controls that protect clients, the business, and the wider financial system by acting as a subject matter expert in financial crime operations and contributing to strategic risk management.

The TL;DR
• Role: Full Time
• Type: Full-time
• Location: Hybrid, London, England, United Kingdom

• Team: Financial Crime team
• Mission: Act as a subject matter expert to identify, assess, and escalate financial crime risks, helping to shape and enhance Vanguard’s financial crime framework for robust client protection.
• Tech Stack: Screening, case management, customer risk assessment tools

What You’ll Actually Do
• Risk Assessment Leadership: Lead complex Customer Due Diligence (CDD), Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD), Source of Wealth (SoW), and periodic review activities, applying sound judgment to identify, assess, and escalate financial crime risks where appropriate.
• Subject Matter Expertise: Act as a trusted subject matter expert on customer risk assessments, financial crime controls, and regulatory requirements, providing guidance and constructive challenge to stakeholders and colleagues.
• Control Development & Enhancement: Support the design, implementation, testing, and continuous enhancement of financial crime controls, identifying opportunities to improve both effectiveness and efficiency.
• Reporting & Compliance Support: Produce high-quality, evidence-based risk assessments, investigation summaries, and management information, while supporting internal and external audits, regulatory reviews, and remediation activities.
• Framework Evolution & Coaching: Contribute to the development of policies, procedures, and guidance, drive continuous improvement initiatives, and coach colleagues to help build team capability and foster a strong culture of compliance.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Undergraduate degree or equivalent experience, coupled with demonstrable experience in AML/KYC, CDD, EDD, SoW, periodic reviews, or financial crime investigations within Financial Services, specifically assessing higher-risk clients and complex financial crime scenarios.
• Experience: Strong understanding of the Financial Crime lifecycle and regulations including AML, Sanctions, Bribery and Corruption, and Tax Evasion, with proven experience in providing guidance and challenge to stakeholders on financial crime risk matters.
• Skills: Strong analytical, investigative, and risk assessment abilities for making balanced, evidence-based decisions, along with excellent communication, stakeholder management, and influencing skills to produce clear, well-reasoned risk assessments.
• Bonus: Professional qualification in Financial Crime, AML or Compliance (e.g. ICA, ACAMS, CFCS), experience in investment management or related financial services sectors, strong knowledge of UK Money Laundering Regulations and FCA expectations, and experience with screening, case management tools, or coaching colleagues.