AML & Financial Crime Vice President

Who we are

United by a sense of purpose towards our customers – to be a trusted partner for the long-term – and our universal banking platform in EMEA, SMBC Group has an international growth agenda and award-winning products, meaning we provide exciting opportunities to work on a diverse range of projects and initiatives. We deliver a full suite of corporate finance products and solutions to our customers as well as investment banking and advisory services, and a range of innovative solutions in global capital markets. Read on to find out how you could enhance your skills and gain valuable experience, by joining us to support our clients transition to a sustainable future.

Role Summary

Is the next step in your career at SMBC Group EMEA?

We’re looking for a new Vice President for our Financial Crime Management Group (part of OPPD) to join our team.

The VP will support the development and ownership of the first-line Financial Crime framework for Correspondent Banking, identifying and mitigating key risks across CDD, EDD, sanctions and transaction monitoring. The role will also drive operating model enhancement, governance, control effectiveness and regulatory change through close collaboration with Operations, Compliance, Technology and senior stakeholders.

Essential requirements of the role

Define and deliver the strategy, operating model and Financial Crime frameworks for the ongoing management of Correspondent Banking risk.

Establish standardised processes, governance controls and quality frameworks, while overseeing remediation, audit findings and continuous control improvements.

Build effective cross-functional relationships and provide clear risk assessments, management information and recommendations to senior governance forums.

Candidate requirements

Strong Correspondent Banking and Financial Crime expertise, including CDD, EDD, sanctions, transaction monitoring and relevant FATF, Wolfsberg, FCA, UK and EU regulatory expectations.

Proven experience across first and second-line Financial Crime roles, including designing and implementing operating models within a multi-jurisdictional banking environment.

Degree-level education in a relevant discipline, with strong analytical, communication, stakeholder-management and leadership capabilities, including previous line-management experience.

Business Area

The Financial Crime Management Group (FCMG) helps protect SMBC by strengthening the systems, rules, controls and analysis that support financial crime risk management across EMEA. The team focuses on Transaction Monitoring, Sanctions, Fraud and Customer Due Diligence, ensuring detection frameworks remain effective, risk-aligned and continuously improving.

FCMG plays a critical role in SMBC EMEA’s First Line of Defence (1LoD). The Rules & List Management Utility (R&LMU) manages Financial Crime (FC) controls across key domains—Transaction Monitoring (TM), Sanctions, and Fraud—by maintaining and optimising automated detection systems. This includes rule design, configuration, and tuning to align with SMBC’s risk appetite and regulatory requirements across EMEA. The team strengthens SMBC’s FC capability by safeguarding client journeys throughout the lifecycle, leveraging analytics to identify emerging risks and behavioural patterns, and collaborating with Operations, Compliance, and Technology to ensure detection models remain robust and responsive.

In addition to TM, Sanctions, and Fraud, R&LMU supports Client Lifecycle Management (CLM) and Customer Due Diligence (CDD) processes, enhancing onboarding and due diligence controls. Responsibilities include monitoring and tuning CLM/CDD systems, resolving production issues, and acting as a liaison with technology teams to maintain system integrity. OPPD also oversees major transformation initiatives, including deployment of the new cloud-based CDD platform, driving continuous improvement and transparency across EMEA, safeguarding data quality and downstream reporting, and ensuring compliance frameworks support SMBC’s strategic growth objectives.

Beyond operational responsibilities, OPPD teams act as Financial Crime subject matter experts (SMEs) within 1LoD, working closely with Compliance and Internal Audit, our Second and Third Lines of Defence (2LoD and 3LoD) teams, to ensure SMBC’s strategy, policies, and standards are clearly interpreted and implemented in a pragmatic and compliant manner. This collaboration ensures alignment across all lines of defence and supports a strong, sustainable financial crime risk management framework, aligning with the widely accepted 3 Lines of Defence industry best practice.

The role forms part of the Financial Crime Management Group and supports the continued development of a sustainable data analytics, management information and reporting capability across financial crime.

Position Description

Accountabilities & Responsibilities of the role include the following

• Supporting the AML Director on the strategy for ongoing FC management of Correspondent Banking risk
• Aiding the implementation of new FC frameworks
• Driving delivery of updating core processes and managing effectiveness
• Evaluate and implement emerging technologies, analytics and automation solutions to improve AML and Correspondent Banking control effectiveness.
• Establishing standardised operating models, governance controls, and quality frameworks.
• Managing and maintaining stakeholder relationships.
• Monitoring performance and efficiencies of core processes including management of audit findings, and leading the implementation of continuous improvements, remediation actions, and control uplifts.
• Mentor junior team members and promote a culture of continuous learning.
• Share knowledge and contribute to best practices within FCMG.

Competencies

Customer Focus

Driving Change

Driving Results

Embraces Diversity

Enterprise Leadership

Judgement and Decision Making

Risk Management

Strategic and Visionary

Trust and Integrity

What we offer

For all the expertise and experience you bring to help us make a difference, it’s only sustainable if we support you to build your career and be your best self so we offer competitive company benefits, centred around promoting positive well-bring and work-life balance. We also believe in fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment, where all team members perspectives and contributions are valued. Initiatives in place which promote a diverse and inclusive culture and healthy work life balance include hybrid working, Sport & Social Clubs and Diversity and Inclusion networks.

As an employee of SMBC you have access to a host of both useful and exciting benefit offerings. See below some of the benefits on offer to you:

Hybrid and flexible working

Competitive paid leave days

Benefits to support your physical wellbeing, including private medical insurance and life and invalidity insurance

Various policies to support your mental wellbeing, including a robust behavioural health network with counselling and coaching services

Access a wide range of learning and development opportunities and career progression opportunities

Ambitious remuneration package

So, if you like a challenge and want to continuously grow and develop in a role where you will be supported along the way by a dynamic and diverse team, apply today!!