Head of Financial Crime at Robert Walters

Job ID: 50613553 / 001

Job Summary / Introduction

• A leading, full-service bank, with an impressive global presence across Corporate, Investment, Commercial & Retail Banking, is seeking a Head of Financial Crime, to cover Nigeria and West Africa.

Description

• This individual will shake up their FCC Target Operating Model, and provide expert leadership to regulatory reporting.
• Working in the complex market of Nigeria and West Africa, this will be a hands-on candidate who is undeterred by the size of any Financial Crime challenge or threat.  
• Managing an experienced and strong team, you will help them prioritise volume, and put in place new and improved standards and processes, to endeavour the smooth running of the function (both from an internal perspective, and in line with the stringent demands of external regulators).
• This role is suitable for candidates who are operating already at a Head of Risk, or Head of Compliance level, and have experience across all four quadrants of banking (Corporate, Investment, Commercial & Retail Banking).  
• You will demonstrate gravitas, a strong personality, ability to manage very senior stakeholders, and be adept at handling objections to new (but necessary), policies or procedures.
• The role will offer excellent career prospects, and direct and matrixed management of a large team.
• Applicants will ideally already hold the Right-to-Work in Nigeria, although other applicants could be considered.  
• Whether a Nigerian-based candidate, a Nigerian candidate in the diaspora, or an expatriate candidate looking for a substantial challenge, you must demonstrate in-depth experience of either Financial Crime Compliance in Nigeria, or in wider West-Africa.

Role Duties

• Management of 20+ staff, and direct report to Global Heads of Compliance
• Responsibility for full FCC governance, oversight, sanctions, Anti-Money Laundering (AML) & Anti-Bribery & Corruption (ABC) for client risk management
• Responsibility for all related training, awareness, and controls processes, for bank staff
• Bring the vision to establish and implement strategy and direction for Financial Crime Compliance (Target Operating Model)
• Protect the bank by avoiding fines, or by avoiding missed regulatory deadlines, and all other ways that the bank can be jeopardised by criminal activities
• Keep a close eye on key risks arising from FCC metrics, FCC Assurance activities, Internal or External Audits, and regulatory inspections
• Produce senior reports, giving interpretation on Financial Crime data and trends
• Work as accountable executive for any Compliance Change or FCC change programmes.

Required Experience

• A relevant Undergraduate Degree (Compliance, Risk Management or Law)
• 15 years’+ experience in the Banking or Financial Services Industry, with 10 years specialising in FCC, strongly preferred
• Deep knowledge of regulations pertaining to money-laundering, including: BSA, the Patriot Act, U.S Treasury regulations, and reporting of suspicious activity
• Strong leadership experience
• A clear and timely communication style
• Nigeria-specific experience
• Candidate to have operated at the level of an Assistant General Manager, or a Principal Manager level, previously

Languages:

• Fluent / Business-level English
• French-speaking advantageous, but not a necessity.