Head of Financial Crime Risk

JOB PURPOSE To lead and oversee the Bank’s 2LoD Financial Crime Team, responsible for owning, updating, and overseeing compliance with, the Financial Crime Risk Framework to ensure all regulatory obligations are met. Accountable as the Bank’s MLRO and Nominated Officer, with responsibility for Anti-Money Laundering (AML) / Counter Terrorist Financing (CTF) oversight and acting as the regulatory contact for all financial crime matters. Provides expert leadership across all areas of Financial Crime Risk, including AML / CTF, Sanctions, Fraud Prevention, Anti Bribery and Corruption, and Tax Evasion, driving a strong control environment and culture of integrity across the Bank. KEY RESPONSIBILTIES Leadership & strategy · Lead and evolve the Bank’s Financial Crime Strategy, ensuring alignment with regulatory expectations and business priorities. · Provide clear, credible insight to Executive leadership and the Board on Financial Crime Risks, emerging threats and Key Control Effectiveness. · Provide expert, pragmatic advice on Financial Crime Risk, supporting informed decision-making across the business. · Oversee 1LoD teams to ensure effective Financial Crime controls are embedded which support good client outcomes and help drive sustainable business growth. · Promote and embed a strong Financial Crime Risk Culture, ensuring Policy, Policy Standards, and obligations are clearly communicated and understood across the Bank. · Support the design and delivery of role based Financial Crime training. MLRO & regulatory oversight · Act as the Bank’s MLRO and Nominated Officer, fulfilling all statutory responsibilities. · Oversee Suspicious Activity Reporting and ensure robust systems and controls are in place to detect and prevent Financial Crime. · Act as the primary point of contact for regulators and law enforcement (including FCA and NCA), maintaining strong, transparent relationships. · Responsible for the production of an MLRO Report, at least annually. Financial Crime Framework, Risks & Key Controls · Own and continuously enhance the Bank’s Financial Crime Framework, Policies and Policy Standards, ensuring they remain effective, proportionate and aligned to regulatory and legislative requirements. · Lead Financial Crime Risk & Control Assessments, ensuring risks are identified, understood and managed in line with Board-approved Risk Appetite. · Ensure Key Controls are designed and operating effectively to mitigate the Financial Crime Risks the Bank is exposed to. · Oversee breach identification and escalation, ensuring issues are managed, reported and resolved appropriately. · Monitor regulatory developments, industry guidance and emerging risks, leading timely implementation of enhancements. · Ensure constant focus is placed on the Key Control environment required to mitigate evolving fraud threats. Governance, reporting &external engagement · Deliver clear, insightful MI and reporting to the CRO, Executive and Board Risk Committees, supporting strong oversight. · Establish and maintain effective governance forums and ensure audit and regulatory readiness. · Contribute to key Risk Committees and represent Financial Crime in strategic projects and change initiatives. · Build and maintain relationships with external bodies (e.g. UK Finance, CIFAS), regulators, and key third-party providers. Team Leadership & capability · Lead, coach and develop the 2LoD Financial Crime team, ensuring a high-quality, professional service to the business. · Foster a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration and accountability. · Build strong internal relationships while maintaining appropriate independence and objectivity to protect the Bank and its clients. REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE Proven senior leadership experience in Financial Crime Risk within financial services, with a recognised Financial Crime qualification. Previous experience as, or supporting, an MLRO, with strong understanding of regulatory accountability. Experience shaping and enhancing Financial Crime Frameworks, Key Controls and operating models. Deep knowledge of UK Financial Crime regulation, including POCA, Money Laundering Regulations, FCA requirements and JMLSG guidance. Broad expertise across core Financial Crime risk areas. Strong understanding of Private Banking Risks, including high-net-worth clients, complex ownership structures and cross-border activity. Sound commercial judgement, with the ability to balance regulatory requirements with client and business needs. Ability to work independently, accurately and calmly under pressure to meet tight deadlines, with a genuine desire to keep learning and improving. Proven ability to lead, motivate and develop a small specialist team (around 5 years’ leadership experience preferred). Confident communicator, able to engage and influence at all levels of the organisation. Experienced in managing and challenging senior stakeholders constructively. Resilient, solutions‑focused and comfortable providing independent challenge when needed. About us At Hampden Bank, we provide private banking as it should be: approachable, accessible expertise delivered through loyal, long-lasting client relationships. Personalised service is at the core of our business, with a culture that is built on relationships. We take the time to get to know our clients to help them achieve their aspirations. Why join us As a growing and ambitious company, we seek people to join our team who share our values; Proud Ownership, Absolute Integrity, Total Inclusivity, Winning Teamwork and Purposeful Growth. We are committed to an inclusive culture where everyone is comfortable to be their authentic self. We recognise, value and respect diverse cultures, knowledge, and identities. We work together to ensure collaboration, development, and success for everyone, supporting them to thrive and reach their potential. We offer exciting career opportunities through professional and personal development and have an extensive range of benefits you can enjoy. To apply Please submit your CV by the closing date. Please remember, on occasion we do receive more applications than expected we may bring the closing date forward, so please do apply promptly. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process, please let us know by contacting the People Team and we will endeavour assist you. If you are excited about this opportunity and think you can bring value to the role and Hampden Bank, but your experience does not align perfectly with every aspect of what we are looking for, we would be happy to hear from you. If you have any questions or are interested in learning more about the role, please contact the People Team and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Hybrid working / flexible working We support hybrid working and our policy is that colleagues spend at least 60% of their working week in the office to connect and collaborate with their colleagues. We are open to considering requests from candidates who are looking for flexible arrangements. Please talk to us at interview about the flexibility you are looking for, and we will explore what is possible for the role. We cannot promise to meet every request, but we will not judge you for asking.