Financial Crime Specialist - Transaction Monitoring & Mule (Hybrid)

Job Description:

Our Story
Hello there. We're Zopa.
We started our journey back in 2005, building the first ever peer-to-peer lending company. Fast forward to 2020 and we launched Zopa Bank. A bank that listens to what our customers don't like about finance and does the opposite. We're redefining what it feels like to work in finance. Our vision for a new era of banking puts people front and centre - we've built a business that empowers everyone to aim high, every day, to move finance forward. Find out more about our fantastic offerings at Zopa.com!
We're incredibly proud of our achievements and none of it would be possible without the amazing team here. It's not just industry awards we're winning, we've also been named in the top three UK's Most Loved Workplaces.
If you embrace unconventional challenges, are unafraid to think differently and are driven to make an outsized impact, you'll thrive here at Zopa, so join us, and make it count. Want to see us in action? Follow us on Instagram @zopalife
We are seeking a detail-oriented and highly motivated Transaction Monitoring Agent to join our Financial Crime Operations team. The successful candidate will be responsible for monitoring and analysing financial transactions to detect and prevent suspicious activity related to money laundering, fraud, and other financial crimes. This role requires a strong understanding of financial regulations, excellent analytical skills, and the ability to work effectively within a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
Working Pattern:

This is a hybrid role - the team works in the office 3 days a week.
Your working week will consist of 7.5 hour shifts between 8 am and 8 pm, Monday to Friday, and you will be required to work one day of the weekend every other week, remotely. If you work a day at the weekend, you will receive a day off during the week.

The role also requires several bank holidays to be worked a year, with any bank holidays worked given back as time in lieu.

A day in the life:

* Transaction Monitoring: Review and analyse customer transactions to identify potentially suspicious activity, including money laundering, fraud, terrorist financing and other typologies.
* Investigate flagged transactions across the Zopa suite of products using transaction monitoring systems and assess their potential risk.
* Investigating Mule alerts that are raised through transaction monitoring.
* Escalate suspicious activity for further investigation, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory obligations.
* Use AI-enabled monitoring tools as part of day-to-day transaction monitoring activity. Review and assess AI-generated alerts and recommendations, applying analyst judgement to support accurate decision-making.
* Use insights from AI outputs to support investigations, identify potential risks or patterns, and escalate findings in line with agreed procedures.
* Share observations to support the ongoing improvement of monitoring tools and controls.
* Reporting & Documentation: Prepare detailed investigation reports outlining findings, actions taken, and recommendations.
* Maintain accurate records of monitored transactions and investigations to support audit requirements and regulatory reviews.
* Communication: The successful candidate will be required to handle both inbound and outbound phone-based & chat-based interactions with customers as part of their daily responsibilities. This includes engaging with customers, addressing inquiries, and providing support or assistance to customer contacting regarding suspended accounts. Strong communication skills and the ability to manage phone calls effectively are essential for this role.

About you:

* Experience in a financial crime, ideally in a transaction monitoring role within the banking or financial services industry (preferred).

* Ideally, experience leveraging AI tools to support financial crime investigations and produce high-quality investigative summaries, while maintaining strong analytical judgement and regulatory awareness.

* Demonstrated ability to critically assess AI-generated case summaries, applying professional judgement to support sound case decisions while ensuring full regulatory and policy compliance.

* Strong knowledge of UK financial crime regulations, including the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA), the Money Laundering Regulations (MLR), and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) guidelines.

* Familiarity with transaction monitoring systems.

* Strong analytical and investigative skills with a keen attention to detail.

* Excellent written and verbal communication skills to produce clear, concise reports and communicate with stakeholders.

* Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

* Strong understanding of banking products and services, including payments, savings, and investment transactions.
Desirable:

* ACAMS (Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists) certification or equivalent ICA qualification.

* A proactive approach to problem-solving and continuous learning.

* Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple high-priority tasks simultaneously.

At Zopa we value flexible ways of working.
We value face-to-face collaboration and a good work-life balance. This hybrid role requires you to come to our Manchester office 3 days a week.

You'll also have the option of working from abroad for up to 120 days a year!* But no matter where you are, we'll make sure you've got everything you need to thrive, both in your work and home life, from day one.

*Subject to having the right to work in the country of choice

Diversity Statement
Zopa is proud to offer a workplace free from discrimination. Diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds leads to better products for our customers and a unique company culture for our people. We are made up of nearly 50 nationalities, have a DE&I forum made up of Zopians wanting to make a difference and we are proud of our culture where everyone can bring their full self to work. Our approach to DE&I is reflected in our hiring process so please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments.

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