Role: Head of Correspondent Banking
Location: London
Start: ASAP
Salary: £130k
Our market leading Banking client are seeking a highly experienced and strategic Head of Correspondent Banking and Client Due Diligence to lead our client lifecycle and onboarding function.
This critical leadership role ensures that all client, counterparty, and vendor relationships meet the highest regulatory and operational standards — from onboarding to offboarding — while supporting the growth ambitions of the bank’s Correspondent and Institutional Banking divisions.
You will play a pivotal role in embedding a strong compliance culture, improving operational effectiveness, and overseeing a team responsible for KYC, CDD, and EDD delivery across the bank’s client base.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead the Client Due Diligence and Lifecycle Management function across correspondent, corporate, and institutional clients.
* Oversee the full client lifecycle — from onboarding to periodic and trigger-event reviews and offboarding.
* Provide subject matter expertise on KYC, AML, and EDD to internal stakeholders including Relationship Managers, Compliance, and Senior Management.
* Manage, mentor, and develop a team of due diligence professionals, ensuring appraisals, capability building, and performance management are embedded.
* Maintain and update client onboarding and lifecycle procedures in line with regulatory and policy changes.
* Deliver accurate, timely management information (MI) and KPIs to senior leadership and governance committees.
* Own and enhance the Client Lifecycle Management (CLM) system, driving digital and process improvements.
* Ensure adherence to all regulatory, compliance, and internal risk management frameworks.
* Identify and deliver initiatives that improve operational efficiency and customer experience.
Key Skills
* At least 10 years’ experience in customer due diligence, KYC, or onboarding within financial services, ideally with exposure to correspondent or institutional banking.
* A minimum of 5 years’ experience managing teams within a CDD or client onboarding environment.
* Strong understanding of FCA regulations, AML, FATF, and JMLSG guidance.
* Proven ability to lead teams, influence senior stakeholders, and deliver results under pressure.
* Exceptional communication, analytical, and reporting skills.
* Strong working knowledge of sanctions, PEP, and adverse media screening tools; familiarity with transaction monitoring systems advantageous.
* Degree-qualified (Business, Management, or related discipline); ICA or ACAMS certification highly desirable.
Please send CV for an initial conversation