Assistant Vice President – Financial Crime Transaction Monitoring Model Validation
Location: London
About the Role
We are seeking a highly analytical and technically strong Assistant Vice President to join a Financial Crime Transaction Monitoring (TM) function. This is a high-impact opportunity at the intersection of financial crime risk, automated detection systems, and advanced analytical model validation.
You will play a critical role in independently validating analytical models, strengthening automated monitoring capabilities, and ensuring robust controls across multiple business lines. The position requires strong hands-on coding expertise, deep analytical capability, and the ability to operate confidently within a regulated environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and implement validation plans for new and existing analytical and transaction monitoring models.
- Independently assess model methodology, assumptions, limitations, and associated risks.
- Conduct in-depth model performance analysis, including back-testing and stress-testing to assess robustness under varying scenarios.
- Design and implement ongoing model monitoring frameworks to ensure continued effectiveness and accuracy.
- Analyse model data inputs and outputs to identify data integrity, data quality, and performance issues.
- Ensure alignment with regulatory requirements and internal governance standards.
- Produce clear, comprehensive documentation outlining model design, validation findings, and control frameworks.
- Collaborate cross-functionally to strengthen risk management practices and enhance control environments.
- Provide expert guidance on complex technical and model-related matters to senior stakeholders.
Technical Skills & Experience (Essential)
- Strong hands-on coding experience in Python and/or SQL (both highly desirable).
- Proven ability to manipulate, interrogate, and analyse large datasets using code.
- Experience working with automated Transaction Monitoring systems.
- Demonstrated experience in model validation, model development, or model optimisation.
- Strong analytical capability with experience resolving model-related data integrity and data quality issues.
- Experience performing back-testing, stress-testing, and performance analysis.
- Solid understanding of risk frameworks, governance, and regulatory expectations within financial crime or risk domains.
Highly Desirable
- Experience applying machine learning or AI techniques within transaction monitoring or fraud detection environments.
- Project management experience within financial crime, compliance, or risk transformation programmes.
- Recognised financial crime qualifications (e.g., ICA, ACAMS).
- Experience influencing and managing senior stakeholders across multiple functions.
What We’re Looking For
- A technically strong professional who combines analytical rigour with practical coding expertise.
- Someone comfortable working with complex datasets from multiple sources and translating analysis into actionable insights.
- A confident communicator who can clearly articulate complex technical findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- A proactive individual who takes ownership of risk management and continuously seeks to strengthen controls and governance.
This is an excellent opportunity for a technically driven financial crime professional looking to work in a role that combines model validation, coding, regulatory oversight, and strategic influence.
If you are passionate about using data and technology to strengthen financial crime controls, we would welcome your application.