Senior Associate – Financial Crime Risk & Controls
6-Month Contract
London / Hybrid
Competitive rate of pay
The Opportunity
HSBC Innovation Bank are seeking an experienced Senior Associate to join the Financial Crime Risk & Controls (FCRC) team.
This is a critical First Line of Defence (1LoD) role, focused on managing financial crime risk across the customer lifecycle. You will take ownership of complex casework, provide risk-based decisioning, and support the ongoing strengthening of financial crime controls across the business.
About the Team
The FCRC team is responsible for identifying, investigating, and monitoring financial crime risks, including:
* Anti-Money Laundering (AML) & Counter-Terrorist Financing (CTF)
* Sanctions
* Anti-Bribery & Corruption (AB&C)
* Fraud
* Tax Transparency
* Reputational Risk
Key Responsibilities
Case Delivery
* Manage and progress a pipeline of financial crime cases in line with SLAs and risk appetite
* Conduct AML/CTF, sanctions, fraud, AB&C, tax transparency, and reputational risk reviews
* Perform CDD and EDD including beneficial ownership, source of wealth/funds, and adverse media checks
* Support Special Category Client (SCC) and reputational risk assessments
* Complete account activity reviews and assess transactional behaviour
* Identify red flags, emerging risks, and recommend mitigation actions
* Produce clear, audit-ready case documentation
Risk & Controls
* Apply the Financial Crime Risk Management Framework to case decisions
* Escalate high-risk or complex cases appropriately
* Identify and support remediation of control gaps
* Contribute to MI reporting (volumes, key themes, risks, turnaround times)
Stakeholder Management
* Collaborate with onboarding, operations, relationship teams, and financial crime stakeholders
* Provide clear guidance to business stakeholders on documentation and risk requirements
Governance & Quality
* Ensure strong record keeping and file quality
* Support audit and regulatory reviews
* Promote a strong risk and compliance culture
Skills & Experience Required
Essential
* Strong experience in financial crime risk roles within financial services
* Deep understanding of AML frameworks, including CDD, EDD, transaction monitoring, and sanctions
* Solid knowledge of UK regulatory environment (FCA & PRA)
* Experience managing complex casework and financial crime risks across customer segments
* Proven ability to engage and influence senior stakeholders
* Strong understanding of risk frameworks, controls, and compliance programmes
Desirable
* Leadership or team management experience
* ICA or ACAMS qualification
Key Competencies
* Risk-based decision making
* Strong communication and stakeholder management
* Analytical thinking with attention to detail
* Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment
* Leadership mindset with the confidence to challenge and influence