Job Description
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MORE THAN YOU EXPECTED
Grant Thornton UK LLP is part of a global network of independent audit, tax and advisory firms, made up of some 58,000 people in over 135 countries. We're a team of independent thinkers who put quality, inclusion and integrity first. All around the world we bring a different experience to our clients. A better experience. One that delivers the expertise they need in a way that goes beyond. Personal, proactive, and agile. That's Grant Thornton.
NEW GROUND WON’T BREAK ITSELF.
Every day our teams help people in businesses and communities to do what is right and achieve their goals.
The CDD Monitoring & Investigations team plays a key role in protecting the firm from financial crime risks. As a Manager, you will lead a team responsible for reviewing automated sanctions, PEP and adverse media alerts, ensuring risks are accurately assessed, false positives are closed with clear rationale, and genuine concerns are escalated to Financial Crime Compliance or the High Risk Assessment Unit.
You will oversee daily monitoring activity, identify changes in client risk profiles, and initiate trigger‑event refreshes where required. You will also manage open‑source checks, validate client information with service lines, and apply suspicion and knowledge tests in line with relevant legislation. As the firm adopts the new Fenergo Onboarding tool, you will help embed consistent investigation standards and ensure alerts and client data are handled effectively within the platform.
The role includes responsibility for quality‑control activities and supporting a positive, high‑performing team environment. It requires strong analytical skills, sound judgement, attention to detail and the ability to work collaboratively with stakeholders across the business.
We’re happy to talk flexible working and consider reduced hours and job shares, we’ll support you to balance your work and life.
A look into the role
As a Manager, CDD Monitoring & Investigations within our team practice, you will:
1. Lead and oversee the initial investigations into automated ongoing screening hits, including those related to Sanctions, PEP, and Adverse Media lists. Act as the operational filter to assess identified risks, ensure thorough investigation of screening alerts and other risk signals, close out false positives or minor issues, and escalate genuine concerns or suspicions to second-line Financial Crime Compliance or the High Risk Assessment Unit.
2. Manage the receipt and review of daily alerts from sanctions, PEP, and adverse media screening. Direct first-line investigations to determine whether alerts are true matches or false positives, ensuring decisions are properly documented with clear rationale.
3. Monitor and identify significant changes in client risk profiles, such as changes in ownership, geographic exposure, industry sector, or adverse information, and initiate trigger-event based refreshes when necessary.
4. Escalate clients or third parties where risk levels have increased and now exceed established acceptance thresholds.
5. Manage the conduct of open-source checks and database queries to verify potential red flags, and coordinate with service lines to clarify relevant facts such as client business activities and ownership information.
6. Apply suspicion or knowledge tests to determine if alerts raise concerns under the Proceeds of Crime Act, Terrorism Act, or sanctions legislation, ensuring compliance with relevant legal requirements.
7. Ensure prompt and confidential escalation of suspicions to the High Risk Assessment Unit for formal investigation and Nominated Officer review, maintaining strict confidentiality and avoiding any tipping off in client communications.
8. Collaborate closely with the CDD Policy & Advisory team to address recurring alert issues, such as tuning the screening system to reduce false positives.
9. Oversee the M&I sub capability’s quality control activities, including individual performance reviews before case completion. Ensure accuracy and quality of alert investigations and screening scope, with automated QC evaluating completeness and timeliness.
Knowing you’re right for us
Joining us as a Manager, CDD Monitoring & Investigations, the minimum criteria you’ll need is
10. Experience in financial crime compliance, including monitoring, investigations, and client due diligence (CDD).
11. Strong knowledge of sanctions, PEP, and adverse media screening processes, and familiarity with relevant legislation (e.g., Proceeds of Crime Act, Terrorism Act, sanctions laws).
12. Analytical and investigative skills to assess risk alerts, conduct open-source searches, and identify significant changes in client risk profiles.
13. Attention to detail with the ability to distinguish between false positives and genuine matches, and to document decisions with clear rationale.
14. Excellent communication and collaboration skills for coordinating with internal teams such as Financial Crime Compliance, High Risk Assessment Unit, and CDD Policy & Advisory.
15. Discretion and professionalism to handle confidential information and ensure strict compliance with escalation protocols and anti-tipping-off requirements.
16. Strong organizational and leadership abilities to manage investigations, oversee quality control activities, and mentor team members.
17. Ability to adapt and respond to evolving risks, regulatory expectations, and changes in client circumstances.
18. Proficiency in relevant systems and tools used for screening, investigations, and quality control.
It would be great if you had some of the following skills, but don’t worry if you don’t tick every box, we’ll help you develop along the way.
19. A relevant professional qualification (e.g., ICA, CAMS) is highly desirable.
20. You’ll have the ability to comply with the firms legal, ethical and regulatory requirements and refresh your knowledge regularly to establish yourself as a credible senior member of the financial crime team.
21. You’ll understand how to engage and motivate the team while building your networks across all stakeholder groups.
22. You’ll be self-motivated and able to deliver to multiple deadlines while maintaining high levels of service to external and internal stakeholders.
Knowing we’re right for you
Embracing uniqueness, the culture at Grant Thornton thrives on the contributions of all our people, we never settle for what is easy, we look beyond to deliver the right thing, for everyone. Building an inclusive culture, where we value difference and respect our colleagues helps our people to perform at the best of their ability and realise their potential.
Our open and accessible culture means you’ll interact with leaders who are interested in you and everything you bring to our firm. The things that set you apart, we value them. That’s why we give you the freedom to bring your whole self to work and pursue your passions inside and outside of work.
Beyond the job
Life is more than work. The things you do, and the people you’re with outside of work matter, that’s why we’re happy to look at flexible working options for all our roles, and we’ll always do our best to keep your work and life in balance.
The impact you can make here will go far beyond your day job. From secondments, to fundraising for local charities, or investing in entrepreneurs in the developing world, you’ll be giving back to society. It’s that drive to do the right thing that runs through our every move, grounded in our firm’s values – purposefully driven, actively curious and candid but kind.
We’re looking for people who want to contribute, spark fresh ideas and go beyond expectations. People who want to be able to proudly do what’s right, for the firm, our clients, our people and themselves. It’s how it should be.
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