Head of Financial Crime & MLRO

Secure Trust Bank PLC; Metropolitan Borough of Solihull; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial institution is seeking a Senior Financial Crime leader to join as Head of Financial Crime and MLRO. The role involves setting strategy, leading a high-performing team, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. The ideal candidate should possess extensive experience in financial crime risk management and the ability to influence senior stakeholders. This position offers hybrid working, a competitive salary, and a range of flexible benefits within an inclusive culture.

Benefits

Private healthcare

Bonus scheme

Share save plan

Flexible benefits

Recognition programs

Qualifications

• Significant experience in financial crime risk management at senior level.
• Strong knowledge of UK AML and CTF regulations.
• Proven ability to engage and influence senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire the Financial Crime team to deliver strategic objectives.
• Oversee the Financial Crime Risk Framework and governance.
• Act as MLRO with oversight of subsidiary companies.
• Provide expert advice to the Board and regulators.

Skills

Financial crime risk management

Engaging senior stakeholders

Understanding of UK AML and CTF regulations

Influencing senior leaders

Job description

Shape the Future of Financial Crime Risk Management

At Secure Trust Bank, we’re on an exciting transformation journey—growing at pace while safeguarding our customers and the integrity of our business. Our Financial Crime function is central to this mission, and we’re looking for a Senior Financial Crime leader to join us as Head of Financial Crime and Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO).

This is a pivotal role where you’ll set strategy, lead a high-performing team, and influence senior leaders to ensure we stay ahead of regulatory developments and industry standards.

What You’ll Do

• Lead and inspire the Financial Crime team, ensuring it’s resourced, equipped, and motivated to deliver against strategic objectives.
• Own the Financial Crime Risk Framework, including AML and CTF, and oversee governance, monitoring, advisory, and regulatory guidance.
• Act as MLRO for Secure Trust Bank, with oversight of subsidiary companies, holding prescribed and overall responsibilities under SMF17.
• Provide expert advice and challenge to the Board, Executive Committee, and regulators—balancing commercial objectives with risk appetite.

What You’ll Bring

• Significant experience in financial crime risk management at senior level (2LOD).
• Strong knowledge of UK AML and CTF regulations, including fraud, PEPs, sanctions, transaction monitoring, SARs, and anti-fraud systems.
• Proven ability to engage and influence senior stakeholders with confidence and clarity.
• Previous MLRO experience is not essential—Deputy MLRO experience is desirable.

We welcome applications from candidates who bring different perspectives and experiences. If you meet most of the criteria and are excited about the role, we’d love to hear from you.

What’s on Offer

• Hybrid working (50% in office)
• A collaborative, inclusive culture where your voice matters.
• Competitive salary, private healthcare, bonus scheme, share save plan, and a suite of flexible benefits.
• Recognition programs that celebrate individual and team success.
• Opportunities to shape strategy and make a real impact in a growing, dynamic business.

Why Secure Trust Bank?

We’re not just another specialist lender. We’ve doubled in size in five years, launched new businesses, and embraced cutting-edge technology to transform how we operate. We’re proud to be a Great Place to Work, where colleagues feel respected, can be themselves, and thrive.

Diversity matters to us. We know we’re stronger because of our differences. We actively celebrate diversity and work with leading industry bodies to create an environment where everyone can succeed.