Job Description

Profile Summary

The Financial Crime Compliance function is an independent function that identifies, assesses, advises on and monitors financial crime compliance risk – that is the risk of regulatory penalties as a result of failure to comply with applicable regulations. The Financial Crime Compliance function exists to support Mizuho London (Mizuho International plc and Mizuho Bank Ltd, London Branch) by enabling it to conduct business lawfully, in accordance with regulatory requirements and with integrity. The main objective of the Financial Crime Compliance function is to provide an active advisory and monitoring service in relation to regulatory requirements, especially those of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

This role has important responsibilities in helping to ensure the Compliance Department effectively discharges its responsibilities, primarily in relation to overseeing and supporting the Bank’s arrangements to comply with anti-financial crime and sanctions regulations.

Duties and Responsibilities

The main duties and responsibilities of this role include the following:

• To be a key member of the Financial Crime Compliance team which is the focal point for the oversight of all activity relating to anti-money laundering (AML) and counter terrorist financing (CTF) and the mitigation of other financial crime risks, including but not limited to, bribery and corruption, and financial sanctions.
• To work with the MLRO and Financial Crime Compliance team to implement financial crime policies and procedures, which enable Mizuho London to comply with relevant legislation, regulation and guidance.
• To monitor compliance with Mizuho London’s financial crime risk appetite and other relevant financial crime risk management policies. This may include second line review of client onboarding, periodic reviews and screening, the review of transaction monitoring and AML system alerts, and sanctions filtering alerts.
• To assist the Financial Crime Compliance team as it takes reasonable steps to establish and maintain adequate arrangements for training and awareness of staff who handle, or are managerially responsible for the handling of, transactions which may involve money laundering or other financial crime risks.
• To identify regulatory trends and developments relating to financial crime that may impact Mizuho London’s business and work with senior Financial Crime Compliance team members to implement policy and control changes required.
• To assist the MLRO in the review and assessment of internal reports of suspicious activity from staff.
• To assist the MLRO in making an annual report to the firm’s senior management in relation to anti-money laundering and other financial crime matters, including but not limited to, the preparation of regular management information to London and Head Office senior management.
• To assist with the management of queries from stakeholders on AML/CFT and sanctions and other financial crime risks.
• To support the continued build out, enhancement and embedding of the KYC quality assurance process, including updates to policy and procedure.
• To conduct quality assurance checks of financial crime controls including KYC and sanctions related activities.
• To assist in responding promptly to any reasonable request for information made by any regulatory or law enforcement agency.
• To line manage two Assistant Vice President (AVP) team members in their day to day work and support with career progression.

Qualifications, Skills, and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or relevant second line financial crime industry experience
• Good experience in corporate and investment banking business, with exposure to a range of capital markets investment and/or corporate banking products.
• Good understanding of the FCA regime, thematic reviews, enforcement actions and financial crime legislation, and an ability to apply that knowledge.
• Strong desire to achieve quality results and a client centric approach.
• Ability to collaborate and communicate effectively (written and oral) with stakeholders of differing levels of seniority.
• Ability to manage own time and meet deadlines, problem solve, innovate, and support change and work independently and within a team.
• An eagerness to continue building one’s own and others’ store of knowledge through continuous learning.
• Ability to make sound judgements.
• Great organisational and time management skills as well as the ability to work flexibly and under pressure.

What Mizuho can offer you

Here at Mizuho, there are fantastic progression opportunities and clear paths to promotion. We will give you ample opportunity to affect change and to help grow our business.

In addition to the great opportunity outlined above we are also currently able to offer:

• Competitive starting salary, plus discretionary bonus
• Non-contributory pension
• 27 days’ annual leave
• Core working hours*
• Hybrid working - office and home based*
• Virtual GP
• Wellbeing benefits, including Mental Health Allies and First Aiders

*For applicable roles only

At Mizuho, we embrace flexible ways of working when the role permits. We offer different working arrangements like part-time, job-sharing and hybrid (office and home) working. Our purpose-led culture and global infrastructure help us connect, collaborate, and work together in agile ways to meet all our business needs.

At Mizuho we are committed to supporting equality, diversity and equality, and seek to create a workplace that is fully inclusive. We welcome applications from all sections of the community that we operate in and from all ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientation, beliefs, gender identities and disabilities.

If you require more information about our equal opportunities policy or wish to discuss any accessibility requirements or reasonable adjustments please contact the recruitment team – recruitment@mizuhoemea.com and we will be happy to help.