First Line of Defense Monitoring Senior Specialist

Job Description

About the Role:

Provide specialist first-line oversight of transaction monitoring across the organisation, ensuring high-quality investigations and helping strengthen anti-money laundering (AML) monitoring controls. As a transaction monitoring subject matter expert, develop and optimise monitoring typologies, apply risk-based judgement to alerts and investigations, and contribute to an effective first line of defence (1LoD) Financial Crime framework.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and contribute to the design, review and ongoing improvement of AML and fraud monitoring typologies and threat-based scenarios, drawing on internal data and intelligence from the second line of defence (2LoD) Investigations team.
• Monitor transactions to detect and investigate potentially suspicious activity, referring concerns to the 2LoD Investigations team in accordance with risk appetite and regulatory expectations.
• Undertake and oversee complex Level 1 alert reviews, ensuring decisions are consistent, clearly justified and appropriately documented.
• Use sound risk-based judgement when assessing investigation findings and escalate suspected suspicious activity to the 2LoD Investigations team.
• Provide specialist advice and constructive challenge to colleagues on transaction monitoring, fraud warning signs and effective investigation practices.
• Help implement and embed effective transaction monitoring and fraud typologies and controls across relevant business areas, supporting continuous improvements to the control environment.
• Stay informed about regulatory changes, emerging financial crime threats and industry good practice, sharing knowledge to develop the wider team's expertise.
• Collaborate with teams across the organisation to strengthen controls, improve customer outcomes and achieve measurable reductions in operational and financial crime risk.

Skills & Experience Required:

• Extensive practical experience in AML transaction monitoring within a first-line Financial Crime function, covering alert investigations, disposition decisions and escalations.
• A proven track record of designing, refining and improving transaction monitoring typologies, scenarios and rules.
• Experience in Asset Management, Investment Management, Wealth Management, Platform Services or Funds environments is highly desirable.
• Sound knowledge of AML, counter-terrorist financing (CTF), sanctions and know your customer (KYC) regulations, with the ability to translate requirements into transaction monitoring and investigation practices.
• Demonstrated ability to investigate complex transactions and potentially suspicious activity, using risk-based judgement to reach decisions.
• Experience in operational Financial Crime teams, including handling escalations and exceptions and meeting regulatory deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex findings and recommendations clearly to stakeholders at every level.
• Effective organisation and prioritisation skills, enabling the management of multiple investigations and competing demands.
• The ability to work autonomously and collaborate with colleagues and stakeholders, taking responsibility for monitoring outcomes and controls.
• Professional qualifications such as ACAMS, ICA or an equivalent credential would be beneficial.
• A practical, solution-oriented approach, underpinned by a firm commitment to regulatory compliance and sound risk management.
• The ability to work effectively in a diverse, multicultural team within a hybrid working environment.