Anti-Money Laundering Officer

AML Officer (Anti-Money Laundering Officer)

Kent - Hybrid

£39,000 to £43,000 plus a comprehensive benefits package.

An independent Buy-to-Let Lender with a strong brand identity, and over 25 years' experience in the UK mortgage market is now looking for a highly motivated individual with exceptional analytical and communication skills to join our Risk & Compliance team, initially as an AML Officer, who is able and keen to progress to become Deputy MLRO in due course.

Anti-Money Laundering Officer Role

The main responsibility of the role would be to provide guidance and support to the business in all aspects of our anti-money laundering controls, processes, and training. There will be opportunities to assist in Compliance related project work, including research.

The individual will have strong hands-on AML and KYC experience in financial services, not necessarily in mortgage finance. They must have spent time working for a financial services company in a similar role and begun to take responsibility for the review and enhancement of anti-money laundering controls. They will be familiar with the requirements of the MLR 2017, JMLSG, FATF, POCA 2002, and FCA AML regulation.

This role is both strategic and hands on. You must be able to progress AML related projects such as the review of the firm wide risk assessment, customer risk rating, process enhancement and AML related staff training and awareness. You will receive a lot of support but must be able to act on their own initiative. You will be the main point of reference in live cases where AML risks have been identified, discussing and resolving these in accordance with business risk appetite and making appropriate reports where necessary.

Working closely with the Senior Compliance Manager and the MLRO, you would take the lead in progressing work on the recommendations from the MLRO Annual Report, and would be instrumental in compiling the next Report, due in March 2026.

Provision of meaningful management information on a regular basis is an important part of the role.

Regulation is constantly evolving, and the candidate will monitor developments, assess needs, and recommend and implement enhancements to maintain our alignment.

As expected in a smaller company, the Compliance and Risk teams work closely together on a wide range of issues.

Tact, resilience, organisation, and excellent communication skills are all needed, this is a real opportunity to take on responsibility in AML and financial crime controls with this agile specialist lender.

Anti-Money Laundering Summary of Duties / Responsibilities

The main duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Reviewing and assessing all aspects of our AML control framework, recommending change, and helping provide strategic direction on all AML related matters.
• Carrying into effect projects and actions highlighted by the MLRO Annual Report and working towards production of 2026 Report.
• Advising/reviewing level of CDD and EDD on live mortgage application cases.
• Take ownership of policies, reviewing processes and monitoring their implementation.
• Design and provide training and awareness programmes across the business.
• Review and enhance the firm wide AML/financial crime risk assessment.
• Advance our ability to risk rate our customer book.
• Provision of regular management information on AML and financial crime.
• Horizon scan of regulatory and legislative changes in AML/CDD/PEPs and Sanctions and related areas - providing comment and advice to the business.
• Providing support to the business by undertaking ad hoc projects and research:
• Assist with compliance monitoring where possible.

Anti-Money Laundering Key Skills

• Excellent understanding of AML regulation and guidance and requirements in practice.
• Ability to work on own initiative while being aware of business needs and priorities.
• Ability to prioritise and coordinate action plans with several stakeholders.
• Good project management skills.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
• Good attention to detail and accuracy.
• Excellent IT skills (proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• Ability to prioritise and coordinate action plans with several stakeholders.
• Excellent interpersonal and organisational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including proofreading.
• Team player, supportive of others, proactive.
• Self-educating, curious and pragmatic, solution-oriented mind-set.
• Mortgage knowledge an advantage but not required.

Benefits

The company operates a policy of four days in the office and one day working from home, where all staff are in the office on Mondays and Fridays. The hours are 8.30am to 5.30pm, with 25 days paid holiday per year, rising by 1 day every three years of continuous employment.

It also offers life insurance, private medical expenses insurance, (staff member only) and 50% towards the cost of gym membership to a local gym of the companies' choice.