Transaction Monitoring and Screening Senior Specialist - Vice President (m/w/d)

Job description

SMBC: A trusted partner for the long term Here at SMBC Group, we want to help you find the next step in your career so read on to discover if this opportunity is the one for you. We like to recognise potential in our people, so we welcome your application even when your experience doesn’t perfectly align with the job description. Whilst we’ll always strive to be better, we’re proud of our inclusive culture, and encourage our applicants and colleagues to be their authentic, unique selves. Who we are United by a sense of purpose towards our customers – to be a trusted partner for the long-term – and our universal banking platform in EMEA, SMBC Group has an international growth agenda and award-winning products, meaning we provide exciting opportunities to work on a diverse range of projects and initiatives. We deliver a full suite of corporate finance products and solutions to our customers as well as investment banking and advisory services, and a range of innovative solutions in global capital markets. Read on to find out how you could enhance your skills and gain valuable experience, by joining us to support our clients transition to a sustainable future. Role Summary Is the next step in your career at SMBC Group EMEA? We're looking for a Transaction Monitoring & Screening Senior Specialist to join our Financial Crime Compliance team. This role offers the opportunity to play a key role in strengthening SMBC's Financial Crime Compliance control framework by providing specialist expertise across transaction monitoring, sanctions screening, fraud controls, and financial crime analytics. Working within the second line of defence, you will support the assessment of monitoring and screening effectiveness, challenge control design and configuration decisions, and contribute to ensuring that financial crime risks are effectively identified, measured, and managed. In this role you will be responsible for: Supporting the design, maintenance, and enhancement of transaction monitoring and screening risk assessments and control frameworks Providing specialist analysis and evidence-based challenge on monitoring scenarios, screening rules, control effectiveness, and configuration decisions Delivering analytical reviews and recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of financial crime detection, data quality, and operational controls For you to succeed in the role, you'll need to have: Significant experience in Financial Crime Compliance, Transaction Monitoring, AML Investigations, Screening, or Fraud Risk within a regulated financial services environment Strong analytical capabilities, with experience assessing control effectiveness, identifying trends, and performing risk-based reviews Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to challenge proposals and communicate findings clearly and effectively The anticipated salary range for this role is € 78,000 - € 118,000 , with the final offer determined based on the candidate’s skills, experience, role scope, location, and relevant market factors. In addition to base salary, the role may be eligible for a discretionary incentive award and a competitive benefits package, including core benefits such as pension provision. Business Area About this role The Transaction Monitoring & Screening Senior Specialist sits within the Financial Crime Compliance Department and forms part of the Investigations & Analytics team within the second line of defence. The role focuses on strengthening SMBC's transaction monitoring, sanctions screening, and fraud control framework through specialist analytical expertise, technical review, and risk-based challenge. Working closely with first line business teams, IT, data teams, operations, and Financial Crime Compliance stakeholders, the role supports the ongoing assessment and enhancement of monitoring and screening controls to ensure they remain effective, proportionate, and aligned with regulatory expectations. Reporting to the Manager of Investigations & Analytics, the role combines financial crime expertise with a strong understanding of monitoring and screening methodologies, including scenario design, alert generation, data quality considerations, control effectiveness assessments, and governance requirements. The role supports SMBC Bank EU AG and SMBC Düsseldorf Branch and contributes to maintaining a robust and defensible financial crime control environment. Position Description Our role will enable you to: Act as a subject matter expert on transaction monitoring, sanctions screening, fraud analytics, and control effectiveness assessments Contribute to the enhancement of the Bank's financial crime detection capabilities through analytical review and evidence-based recommendations Participate in the development and maintenance of transaction monitoring and screening risk assessments Work closely with stakeholders across Financial Crime Compliance, IT, Data, Operations, and First Line of Defence teams Influence control design, tuning, and governance decisions through independent review and constructive challenge Support governance activities, thematic reviews, quality assurance exercises, audit engagements, and regulatory inquiries What will you bring to the role? Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification in Finance, Mathematics, Economics, or a related discipline A minimum of 5 years' experience in Financial Crime Compliance, Transaction Monitoring, AML Investigations, Screening, Fraud Risk, or a related field within a regulated financial services environment Strong understanding of transaction monitoring and screening methodologies , including scenario coverage, typology mapping, alert generation, and control effectiveness assessments Experience conducting analytical reviews, risk assessments, trend analysis, sample testing, and control evaluations Ability to assess complex information, identify risks, and translate analytical findings into practical recommendations Experience reviewing monitoring or screening configurations, control changes, remediation actions, or governance documentation Understanding of data quality, data integrity, and control assurance concepts within financial crime compliance frameworks Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills, with the ability to challenge decisions in a constructive and evidence-based manner Excellent stakeholder management and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively across business and control functions Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare documentation suitable for governance, audit, and regulatory review Fluency in English , both written and spoken Desirable: Experience contributing to transaction monitoring risk assessments, model governance frameworks, or control effectiveness reviews Exposure to under-the-line analysis, below-threshold testing, scenario tuning, or alert optimisation activities Experience performing data quality assessments and data integrity reviews within financial crime control environments Familiarity with transaction monitoring or sanctions screening platforms, such as Actimize or similar systems Working knowledge of data analysis and visualisation tools, including Excel, SQL, Power BI , or equivalent technologies Knowledge of German and European regulatory expectations relating to Anti-Money Laundering, sanctions compliance, and financial crime risk management Professional certifications such as ACAMS, ICA , or equivalent financial crime compliance qualifications German language skills and additional European languages would be advantageous Competencies Customer Focus Driving Change Driving Results Embraces Diversity Judgement and Decision Making Risk Management Strategic and Visionary Trust and Integrity What we offer For all the expertise and experience you bring to help us make a difference, it’s only sustainable if we support you to build your career and be your best self so we offer competitive company benefits, centred around promoting positive well-bring and work-life balance. We also believe in fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment, where all team members perspectives and contributions are valued. Initiatives in place which promote a diverse and inclusive culture and healthy work life balance include hybrid working, Sport & Social Clubs and Diversity and Inclusion networks. As an employee of SMBC you have access to a host of both useful and exciting benefit offerings. See below some of the benefits on offer to you: Hybrid and flexible working Competitive paid leave days Benefits to support your physical wellbeing, including private medical insurance Various policies to support your mental wellbeing, including a robust behavioural health network with counselling and coaching services Access a wide range of learning and development opportunities and career progression opportunities Ambitious remuneration package So, if you like a challenge and want to continuously grow and develop in a role where you will be supported along the way by a dynamic and diverse team, apply today! We recognise our role as a bank to support social change and welcome all applications, including those from groups often under-represented in financial services. We value the uniqueness of professional and personal, backgrounds and perspectives as they play a vital role in continuing the sustainable growth of our organisation. We’ll ensure reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process are offered due to a disability or long-term condition whenever requested. We are committed to transparent and equitable pay practices. Compensation is determined using objective criteria, including skills, experience, and role responsibilities, and applied consistently throughout our recruitment processes. We do not request candidates' pay history and are committed to preventing unjustified pay disparities.