Financial Crime Specialist

About the role

You will navigate the intricate landscape of financial crime with a sharp analytical eye, owning the integrity of our transaction monitoring frameworks from inception to resolution. On the team you would immerse yourself in the foundational narrative of our company, tracing the journey that defined our industry and shaped our current mission. You will engage with the living history of our organization by exploring Hello there. We're Zopa, understanding the human element behind every data point and decision. This role demands an individual who is unafraid to think differently, driven to make an outsized impact, and ready to embrace unconventional challenges that test the limits of conventional financial crime strategy. You will be the vigilant guardian ensuring that our operations align with the highest standards of compliance and ethical responsibility. Your work will directly contribute to maintaining the trust of our customers and the security of our financial ecosystem. If you are motivated by ownership and the desire to see a project through its entire lifecycle, this is your opportunity to truly make it count.

Key facts

What you'll do

You will dissect complex transaction datasets, identifying subtle patterns indicative of money laundering, fraud, and terrorist financing typologies that require immediate attention. You will leverage advanced transaction monitoring systems to investigate flagged transactions across the Zopa suite of products, determining the true nature and risk level of each alert. You will conduct deep dives into Investigating Mule alerts that are raised through transaction monitoring, tracing the flow of funds and identifying potential illicit activity. You will escalate suspicious activity to the appropriate internal and external channels, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory obligations is met with precision and timeliness. You will own the end-to-end lifecycle of suspicious activity reporting, from initial detection through to final resolution and documentation. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including compliance, risk, and product, to translate business requirements into effective monitoring rules. You will interpret evolving regulatory guidance and translate it into actionable procedures that strengthen our financial crime defenses. You will maintain a current understanding of the latest financial crime trends, typologies, and emerging threats relevant to the digital lending sector.

Requirements

You will also have the option of working from abroad for up to 120 days a year!* But no matter where you are, we'll make sure you've got everything you need to thrive, both in your work and home life, from day one. You need the right to work in the country of choice, as this is a non-negotiable prerequisite for the position. You need a Diversity Statement that reflects your authentic background and perspective to contribute to our inclusive culture. You need A day in the life: that clearly articulates your professional journey and how you align with our hybrid working model. You must possess a proven track record in transaction monitoring, demonstrating your ability to identify and investigate suspicious activity effectively. You must have hands-on experience using go to perform analysis, generate reports, and support investigations within a financial crime environment. You must have a thorough understanding of anti-money laundering (AML) regulations and the financial crime landscape to ensure our practices are robust and defensible. You must be able to work autonomously and as part of a team, managing your time effectively in a hybrid environment that values face-to-face collaboration. You must demonstrate strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to dissect complex information and draw logical conclusions. You must exhibit a high level of integrity and discretion when handling sensitive financial data and regulatory matters.

Nice to have

The SOURCE document does not specify any preferred qualifications, skills, or experiences beyond the mandatory requirements. There are no "nice to have" criteria listed for this role.

Practical notes

This is a hybrid role requiring attendance in the Manchester office 3 days a week, with the specific expectation of working one day of the weekend every other week, remotely. If you work a day at the weekend, you will receive a compensatory day off during the week. Your working week will consist of 7.5 hour shifts, scheduled between 8 am and 8 pm, Monday to Friday, providing a structured yet flexible daily framework. The role necessitates coverage of several bank holidays annually, with any hours worked on these days being compensated with time in lieu to maintain work-life balance. International candidates should note that the option to work from abroad for up to 120 days a year is contingent upon holding the right to work in the chosen country.