Senior Director - Financial Crime Risk and Controls

Who is HSBC Innovation Banking?

HSBC Innovation Banking is the power behind the UK's forward thinkers, future makers, and leap takers, helping them ignite the bold ideas that reshape our world. We offer flexible banking solutions for start ups, scale ups, growth businesses, investors and those working towards IPO typically within the technology and life science sectors. Whether it's comprehensive banking, managing cashflow, plans for buyouts or Strategic Fund Solutions, we power ideas at every stage of their journey. From the first time founders to the funds that back them, and everything in between. We're proud to accelerate growth for our clients, create meaningful connections and communities, and open a world of global opportunity for entrepreneurs and investors alike.

Here's to never standing still. Come and join us!

The Role

The HSBC Innovation Banking UK (HINV UK), Business Financial Crime Risk (BFCR) team is a First Line of Defence (FLOD) team responsible for identifying, investigating and monitoring relationships that pose a money laundering or terrorist financing risk and ensuring all policy, legal and regulatory requirements relating to anti-money laundering (AML) and counter terrorism financing are complied with. BFCR also has responsibility for reviewing and assessing Sanctions, Anti-Bribery & Corruption (AB&C), Tax Transparency, Fraud and Reputational Risk considerations for both existing clients and new prospects.

This role requires a technically proficient leader with a strong background in financial crime risk management, capable of driving strategic initiatives, ensuring operational excellence, and maintaining rigorous control standards across a complex, multi-jurisdictional environment.

The value you'll add

Direct the HINV UK Business Financial Crime Risk (BFCR) team, ensuring optimal team sizing and the development of subject matter expertise. Collaborate extensively with First Line of Defence (FLOD) business and product units, the HINV UK Client Lifecycle Management team, and internal stakeholders such as Financial Crime, as well as HSBC's Country and Regional Business Financial Crime Risk teams. The objective is to ensure the team's capabilities are fully aligned with the delivery of the HINV strategic plan.

Hold overarching responsibility for managing a multi-layered team comprising Senior Managers, Managers, Senior Associates, and Associates. This team is tasked with conducting Special Category of Client (SCC) Assessments, including the production of Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) reports and Client Activity Reviews, as well as executing comprehensive Reputational Risk assessments.

Establish and maintain a structured programme for the review and approval of client relationships that fall within HSBC's high-risk business categories, including SCC. This involves close coordination with country, regional, and global counterparts to ensure consistency and compliance with HSBC's risk appetite and regulatory requirements.

Provide expert guidance on the assessment of pre-launch or innovative business models, ensuring these align with internal standards for enhanced due diligence and obtain the necessary approvals prior to market entry.

Work in partnership with the HINV UK Head of Financial Crime and the Money Laundering Risk Officer to address complex, cross-border financial crime issues. Serve as the primary FLOD escalation contact for all financial crime management activities within HINV UK.

Exercise 1st Line decision-making powers as delegated by the HINV Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO), in accordance with the established HINV Financial Crime Delegated Authorities framework.

Review and approve documentation submitted to the Reputational Risk and Client Selection Committee (RRCSC), particularly in relation to SCC assessments and broader reputational risk considerations.

Compile, review and approve comprehensive, high quality EDD reports, with clear recommendations for MSB/TPPP clients, ensuring these are well received at Committee(s).

Attend HINV RRCSC meetings to provide technical guidance and strategic advice, supporting committee members in making informed decisions regarding client onboarding, retention, or exit.

Collaborate with the Head of Business Risk & Controls to design, implement, and continuously enhance the Risk Management Framework for all aspects of Financial Crime. This includes overseeing Risk & Control Assessments and ensuring the effectiveness of the overall control environment.

Ensure that all Financial Crime management activities conducted across the Group on behalf of HINV UK adhere to expected standards, with robust controls in place (e.g., monitoring and responding to Actionable Intelligence Alerts).

Actively manage controls against policy requirements in relation to Anti Bribery & Corruption, working with the risk owner and risk steward.

Ensure fraud detection and prevention systems operated within HINV and on behalf of the business are sufficiently robust to deliver maximum protection for the HINV client base, in addition to working closely with functions across the Group to maintain high levels of awareness / education with both clients and staff.

What skills you require

Banking, investment, risk management or audit experience with demonstrated ability to operate across diverse business units, innovative product sets and a broad array of customer segments.

Ability to translate complex situations into clear messaging with clarity of underlying risks and management response.

Strong experience in senior Financial Crime risk management roles within the financial services industry including development and monitoring of compliance management processes.

Proven senior stakeholder management and committee representation as a Financial Crime Subject Matter Expert.

Experience leading and managing teams performing financial crime risk management.

Demonstrates strong knowledge of financial crime risks and the prevention and mitigation processes and controls.

Strong knowledge of control frameworks and the ability to design and assess compliance programs and evaluate effectiveness of controls embedded within business processes.

Strong understanding of the compliance and regulatory frameworks that apply to financial institutions regulated by the FCA and PRA in the UK.

Skills

• Collaborates through a proactive/constructive dialogue with senior management, peer leaders, clients, committees and regulators.
• Leadership and management skills who can recruit, retain, mentor and develop talent.

Where you'll be based

Our home office in Finsbury Square, London. We offer hybrid working to our employees, so you can flex between home and the office, with a current requirement to be in the office 2 days per week.

Diversity and Inclusive Employment

Being open to different points of view is important for our business and the communities we serve. At HSBC, we're dedicated to creating diverse and inclusive workplaces - no matter their gender, ethnicity, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or age. We are committed to removing barriers and ensuring careers at HSBC are inclusive and accessible for everyone to be at their best. We take pride in being a Disability Confident Leader and will offer an interview to people with disabilities, long term conditions or neurodivergent candidates who meet the minimum criteria for the role.

If you have a need that requires accommodations or changes during the recruitment process, please get in touch with our Recruitment Helpdesk:

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