Director, Head of High-Risk Client Activity, Financial Crimes Risk - Services
Citi · London, United Kingdom · 9d ago
Are you looking for a career move that will put you at the heart of a global financial institution? Then bring your skills in analysis, problem solving and communication to Citi’s Financial Crimes Risk team.
By Joining Citi, you will become part of a global organisation whose mission is to serve as a trusted partner to our clients by responsibly providing financial services that enable growth and economic progress.
Team/Role Overview:
The Services Financial Crimes Risk team operates as part of the first line of defence, responsible for ensuring proactive, effective, and sustainable financial crimes risk management across Citi's Services line of business.
The head of high-risk client activity is responsible for managing a small team of SMEs who support the business in managing and overseeing financial crime risks as they relate to the use of Services' products by higher-risk clients. This role carries a global remit and works closely with Product Heads, Sales, Cluster and Regional teams, Business Risk, Operations, Technology, and Compliance in identifying, assessing, and managing emerging risks — ensuring that risks remain within Service’s risk appetite, and the first-line control infrastructure addresses risks in an efficient and effective manner.
This is a hands-on role that provides ongoing support to the business and the bank’s clients, ensuring that appropriate and effective controls are in place and/or designed to manage the risks arising from the use of Services products by higher-risk client segments, including Payment Intermediaries, Foreign Correspondent Banks, Marketplaces, Content Creators, and Gaming/Gambling entities.
The Head of high-risk client activity will provide leadership, direction, governance, and oversight to ensure that the implementation of controls is effective and consistent with Citi's standards and applicable law with respect to AML, Sanctions, Fraud, Anti-Bribery and Corruption (ABC), and reputational risk.
The position reports to the Services Head of Financial Crime Risks.
What you’ll do:
- Monitor the client portfolio to ensure it remains within the business’s defined risk appetite.
- Ensure documentation and ongoing maintenance of control processes.
- Ensure clients and any internal concern are assessed in a timely manner.
- Ensure that the Secretariat for the relevant committees for client approval and client escalation matters, which are housed within the high-risk client activity team, run smoothly and with discipline.
- Ensure that actions taken are documented and track outstanding matters through to resolution by engaging the relevant stakeholders.
- Collaborate regularly with ICRM to ensure correct interpretation and application of requirements.
- Assess potential modifications to compliance policies, evaluate their potential impact, and engage with key stakeholders to ensure effective implementation.
- Liaise with Compliance Assurance and Internal Audit to facilitate the timely resolution of any identified issues.
- Maintain oversight through the review of metrics, monitoring of activity, and tracking of corrective action plans.
- Prepare presentations for senior management and governance committees on developments, emerging risks, control issues, and enhancements regarding the higher risk client activity.
- Escalate matters requiring immediate attention through appropriate channels.
- Update and maintain a robust Manager’s Control Assessment (MCA) in accordance with the Citi’s Risk Policy.
- Track and help manage KYC delinquencies to resolution.
- Analyse activity reviews and apply findings across the broader portfolio.
- Propose and drive follow-up actions arising from reviews and escalations.
- Promote a balanced and proportionate approach to risk management.
- Support the business with client engagement as required.
What we’ll need from you:
- Significant experience in financial crime, regulatory compliance, or risk management within a financial institution.
- Excellent understanding of the obligations and regulations as they relate to the provision of banking services to other Financial Institutions and Non-bank Financial Institutions inc. VASPs.
- Excellent understanding of payments systems, including associated risks, challenges, and opportunities.
- Professional financial crime certification preferred (e.g. ACAMS, ACSS).
- Strong professional background in Financial Services, encompassing Financial Crime and/or Compliance, Business/Product Operations, and/or Risk and Controls.
- Knowledge and understanding of blockchain technology and digital assets (e.g. stablecoins, cryptocurrencies) and their associated financial crime risks.
- Understanding of global cryptocurrency regulations and VASP licensing and compliance requirements.
- Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to engage effectively with clients and senior stakeholders.
- Ability to work independently and deliver to strict timelines and quality standards.
- Demonstrated confidence and willingness to challenge business management, escalate issues, and advocate for change where necessary.
- Strong oral and written communication skills; must be articulate and persuasive, with the judgement and credibility to provide insightful commentary to senior stakeholders.
- Proven ability to drive change to business practices by working effectively across a global organisation.
- Self-motivated and proactive, with the ability to manage multiple priorities concurrently.
- Proven people and team management capability.
- Project management and change management skills are essential.
- Ability to prioritise and manage competing demands in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
- Strong analytical skills with a structured approach to follow-up and problem-solving.
- Ability to assess processes critically and recommend improvements to quality, controls, and operational efficiency.
- Bachelor's or University degree required; a master’s degree is desirable.
What we can offer you:
We work hard to have a positive financial and social impact on the communities we serve. In turn, we put our employees first and provide the best-in-class benefits they need to be well, live well and save well.
By joining Citi London, you will not only be part of a business casual workplace with a hybrid working model (up to 2 days working at home per week), but also receive a competitive base salary (which is annually reviewed), and enjoy a whole host of additional benefits such as:
- Generous holiday allowance starting at 27 days plus bank holidays; increasing with tenure
- A discretional annual performance related bonus
- Private medical insurance packages to suit your personal circumstances
- Employee Assistance Program
- Pension Plan
- Paid Parental Leave
- Special discounts for employees, family, and friends
- Access to an array of learning and development resources
Alongside these benefits Citi is committed to ensuring our workplace is where everyone feels comfortable coming to work as their whole self every day. We want the best talent around the world to be energized to join us, motivated to stay, and empowered to thrive.
Sounds like Citi has everything you need? Then apply to discover the true extent of your capabilities.
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Job Family Group:
Risk Management------------------------------------------------------
Job Family:
In-Business Risk------------------------------------------------------
Time Type:
Full time------------------------------------------------------
Most Relevant Skills
Analytical Thinking, Controls Lifecycle, Credible Challenge, Governance, Policy, Procedure, and Regulation, Risk Management Lifecycle.------------------------------------------------------
Other Relevant Skills
For complementary skills, please see above and/or contact the recruiter.------------------------------------------------------
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