Team Leader, FCC Investigations (7 months contract)

Job Responsibilities

The Team Leader for FCC Investigations plays a pivotal role in ensuring the effectiveness and integrity of financial crime controls within the organisation. Key responsibilities include:

• Contributing to the design and ongoing refinement of the Country/Client Business operating models relevant to Financial Crime Compliance (FCC) and associated business processes, ensuring alignment with regulatory and organisational standards.
• Maintaining a robust and comprehensive support framework encompassing skilled personnel, efficient processes, state-of-the-art tools, and effective systems to facilitate strong and reliable FCC controls at the Country or Department level.
• Driving the vision, strategy, and direction for FCC activities within the department, reinforcing the Group’s overarching approach to mitigating financial crime risks and supporting sustainable business growth.
• Leading and guiding associates and analysts in the thorough analysis of alerts generated from transaction monitoring systems, as well as handling non-automated cases that raise potential money laundering or other financial crime concerns.
• Ensuring that all suspicious activities are investigated with due diligence and that Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) are accurately completed and submitted within prescribed timelines, maintaining compliance with regulatory obligations.
• Overseeing the quality and maintenance of case data within enterprise case management systems to ensure data integrity and traceability.
• Identifying and proposing improvements to controls, processes, and systems to enhance effectiveness, streamline operations, and mitigate potential risks.
• Collaborating with internal stakeholders and external partners to make informed decisions grounded in current policies and emerging trends related to financial crime compliance.
• Providing expert advice and guidance on Anti-Money Laundering (AML) matters, fostering strong working relationships with stakeholders and peer groups to promote a cohesive and informed approach.
• Participating actively in ad-hoc initiatives such as monitoring activities for unlicensed entities as per Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) guidelines and supporting the testing of system enhancements to maintain compliance and operational excellence.
• Keeping abreast of relevant updates to policies, procedures, and delegations of authority to effectively address evolving financial crime risks and regulatory requirements.
• Engaging with associated teams to ensure adherence to Group standards encompassing AML, Sanctions, and Anti-Bribery and Corruption (ABC) frameworks, reinforcing the organisation’s commitment to integrity and compliance.

Job Requirements

The ideal candidate will possess a recognised university degree or professional qualification in Law, Finance, Accounting, Business, or closely related fields, demonstrating a strong theoretical foundation relevant to financial crime compliance.

• A minimum of three years’ experience in AML or transaction monitoring roles, particularly at an associate or team lead level, evidencing a practical understanding of financial crime risk management.
• Familiarity with local regulatory requirements and the ability to apply these in daily operations to ensure compliance with Hong Kong’s legal frameworks.
• A proficient understanding of the criteria involved in suitability assessments, with a demonstrated capacity to apply sound judgment when reviewing alerts and investigating suspicious activities.
• Strong analytical skills, enabling comprehensive case analysis and insightful reporting to support decision-making processes.
• Exceptional report writing abilities and methodical attention to detail, ensuring accuracy and clarity in documentation.
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, coupled with an aptitude for working collaboratively within cross-functional teams to achieve common objectives.
• The capability to exercise discretion and discernment when escalating cases, understanding the severity and implications of exceptions to manage risks appropriately.