Financial Crime SME - Investment Compliance (Line 1)

6-Month Contract | Investment Management | Hybrid

We are seeking an experienced Financial Crime SME to support a major investment management organisation in strengthening its Line 1 Financial Crime control framework across direct investments, investment counterparties and External Fund Managers (EFMs).

This is a hands-on role requiring deep expertise in AML, CTF, sanctions, KYC/KYB, PEP screening, adverse media checks and enhanced due diligence, coupled with the ability to translate regulatory requirements into practical, sustainable controls and operating models.

Key Responsibilities

• Assess Financial Crime risks and identify control gaps across investment activities.
• Enhance KYC/KYB, sanctions screening, PEP and Enhanced Due Diligence frameworks.
• Develop and implement a risk-based oversight framework for External Fund Managers.
• Design and embed practical operating models, governance structures, RACIs and escalation procedures.
• Establish robust approaches for identifying and managing higher-risk investments, counterparties and delegated investment arrangements.
• Improve Financial Crime MI, reporting and governance processes.
• Support remediation activity and provide review-ready evidence to close findings and recommendations.
• Translate AML, sanctions and Financial Crime requirements into effective investment-specific controls.

Required Experience

• Strong Financial Crime expertise covering AML, CTF, sanctions, KYC/KYB, PEPs, adverse media and EDD.
• Experience within Asset Management, Investment Management, Wealth Management or Institutional Investments.
• Knowledge of Financial Crime risks relating to public and private markets, investment counterparties and outsourced investment arrangements.
• Proven track record assessing and challenging External Fund Manager control environments.
• Experience designing risk-based due diligence and high-risk assessment frameworks.
• Strong risk and controls background with remediation and governance experience.
• Ability to engage and influence stakeholders across the three lines of defence.
• Experience embedding operational processes and transitioning controls into BAU environments.
• Financial Crime qualifications (ICA, ACAMS or equivalent) desirable.

Key Deliverables

• Validate and prioritise Financial Crime remediation activities.
• Strengthen Line 1 Financial Crime controls and oversight.
• Establish a scalable EFM Financial Crime framework.
• Define and implement a target operating model with clear ownership and accountability.
• Enhance MI, governance and sanctions reporting capabilities.
• Deliver sustainable BAU processes, procedures and controls.