Manager, Financial Crime & Investigations

It’s never been a more exciting time to join Vistra. 

 At Vistra our purpose is progress. We believe that our clients have the power to change the world and to do great things for global progress, and we exist to remove the friction that comes from the complexity of global business – to help our clients achieve progress without friction.

 But progress only happens when people come together and take action. And we’re absolutely committed to building a culture where our people can do just that. 

We have an exciting opportunity for you to join our team as Manager, Financial Crime & Investigations, this full-time and permanent position is based in UK and offers regional coverage, allowing you to make a significant impact to our Global Incorporations department and it’s growth.

Purpose of Role :

The Financial Crime & Investigations Manager is responsible for managing risks arising out of regulatory engagement and 1st line activities, as it relates to financial crime. The Financial Crime & Investigations Manager is responsible for managing regulatory inspections (pre & post); business and MLRO Training & Engagement; Suspicious Activity Reporting; Investigations arising from 1st Line activities; and acting as a point of escalation for sanctions, high risk clients/instructions, or other financial crime-related incidents referred from the team and the business.

Scope :

• Financial Crime Risk
• Regulatory Risk

Key Responsibilities:
 

• Identify vulnerabilities related to AML (Anti-Money Laundering), sanctions, fraud, bribery, and market abuse. 
• Monitor and interpret regulatory changes impacting the business. 
• Implement controls to mitigate financial crime risks (fraud detection, KYC/CDD enhancements). 
• Ensure compliance with AML/CFT (Counter-Financing of Terrorism), sanctions screening, and anti-bribery laws. 
• Manage end-to-end regulatory inspections, including preparation, coordination, and post-inspection follow-ups. 
• Advise Group functions on responses to prudential and fiduciary regulatory questionnaires. 
• Collate and submit regulatory requests to relevant authorities. 
• Act as the primary escalation point for sanctions, high-risk client referrals, and suspicious activity reports. 
• Investigate financial crime incidents arising from 1st Line monitoring and controls. 
• Conduct Business Risk Self-Assessments (BRSAs) for licensed entities and report findings to Boards and Senior Management. 
• Monitor and mitigate financial crime risks across the GI Business Unit. 
• Work closely with Compliance, Legal, and Internal Audit to address gaps. 
• Promote a strong risk-aware culture through training on financial crime prevention, regulatory compliance, and ethical conduct. 
• Advise business units on red flags, suspicious activity reporting (SARs), and risk-based decision-making.   

Attributes & Technical Skills :

• Experience of leading a team in a high pressured environment.
• Strong communication, presentation and influencing skills, with a proven ability to communicate effectively and confidently at all levels across the Group.
• Excellent planning, organizing and commercial skills
• Proven abilities in working across cultures and in a complex global environment.
• Advanced knowledge of KYC/Compliance/AML standards
• Experience handling suspicious activity reports (SARs) and financial crime investigations. 
• Strong commercial and strategic awareness
• Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels.
• Excellent knowledge of the client service offering, products, operational processes and controls relevant to the Client Acceptance & Onboarding (including KYC &screening)
• Experience in leadership with an ability to display diplomacy and good judgement
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with an ability to effectively convey complex technical information in a clear and concise manner
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills with natural ability to adapt language and communication style to suit the intended recipient
• Ability to collaborate closely with other technology and business teams/divisions to ensure a consistent approach and alignment to group strategy
• Effective planning and organisational skills to manage competing priorities
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain good relationships with all levels of management and staff
• Advanced business analysis skills to understand business needs
• Excellent problem-solving skills with ability to make meaningful contributions to solution design, to ensure due regard to the business perspective

Relevant Experience :

• A minimum of 7 years of experience within TCSPs or other relevant industry
• Leadership and communication skills, with the ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels.
• A sound understanding of the clients, services, people, processes and data associated with the relevant component
• Experience of operational improvement projects and initiatives
• Experience of working with business systems and applications in a financial/professional services organisation
• Experience engaging with regulators in offshore jurisdictions
• Business analysis experience and ability to work closely with senior management to identify and implement efficiencies and continuous improvement
• Professional fluency in written and oral English

Education and Professional Qualification : 

• Education to degree standard (or equivalent qualification by experience)
• Relevant business specific qualifications and memberships (Desirable)
• Risk & Compliance Management qualifications (Desirable)

Company Benefits: 

• 25 days annual leave per annum  
• Individual private medical insurance cover  
• Health cash plan  
• Pension: 3% employee and 7% employer contribution, increasing from April 2025 to 8% employer 
• Life Assurance 4x Salary  
• Group income protection  
• Season ticket loan  
• Ride to work scheme 
• A day’s birthday leave  
• Ability to buy up to one week’s annual leave per year 

  If you are excited about working with us, we encourage you to apply or have a confidential chat with one of our Talent Acquisition team members. Our goal is to make this a great place to work where all our people can thrive. We hope you join us on this exciting journey!