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Financial Crime Testing Programme Lead

Barclays

About Barclays

  • L – Listen and be authentic, E – Energise and inspire, A – Align across the enterprise, D – Develop others.
  • All colleagues will be expected to demonstrate the Barclays Values of Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence and Stewardship – our moral compass, helping us do what we believe is right.
  • They will also be expected to demonstrate the Barclays Mindset – to Empower, Challenge and Drive – the operating manual for how we behave.

Responsibilities

  • Purpose of the role To provide data-led expert oversight and check and challenge on business and compliance matters to evidence that the organisation is operating in a compliance with Barclays legal, regulatory and ethical responsibilities.
  • Identification and assessment of compliance risks through thorough reviews of business activities, changes, processes, testing and systems to.
  • Identification and investigation of potential market abuse, including but not limited to, Insider Dealing, Unlawful Disclosure, Market Manipulation or Anti-Competitive Conduct.
  • Conduct investigation of compliance risk events or breaches.
  • Oversight and check and challenge of corrective actions and preventative measures to avoid future occurrences.
  • Implementation of compliance policies and procedures in line with regulatory requirements and ensuring that the bank’s internal policies are aligned with international standards, including jurisdictional requirements.
  • Collaboration with 1LOD, other relevant Compliance teams and legal, and relevant risk management functions to facilitate a comprehensive approach to compliance and risk management.
  • Identification, investigation and oversight of potential money laundering, terrorist financing or other financial crime.
  • Director Expectations To manage a business function, providing significant input to function wide strategic initiatives.
  • Contribute to and influence policy and procedures for the function and plan, manage and consult on multiple complex and critical strategic projects, which may be business wide..
  • They manage the direction of a large team or sub-function, leading other people managers and embedding a performance culture aligned to the values of the business.
  • Or for an individual contributor, they lead organisation wide projects and act as deep technical expert and thought leader, identifying new ways of working and collaborating cross functionally.
  • They will train, guide and coach less experienced specialists and provide information affecting long term profits, organisational risks and strategic decisions..
  • Provide expert advice to senior functional management and committees to influence decisions made outside of own function, offering significant input to function wide strategic initiatives.
  • Manage, coordinate and enable resourcing, budgeting and policy creation for a significant sub-function.
  • Escalates breaches of policies / procedure appropriately.
  • Foster and guide compliance, ensure regulations are observed that relevant processes in place to facilitate adherence.
  • Focus on the external environment, regulators, or advocacy groups to both monitor and influence on behalf of Barclays, when appropriate.
  • Demonstrate extensive knowledge of how the function integrates with the business division / Group to achieve the overall business objectives.
  • Maintain broad and comprehensive knowledge of industry theories and practices within own discipline alongside up-to-date relevant sector / functional knowledge, and insight into external market developments / initiatives.
  • Use interpretative thinking and advanced analytical skills to solve problems and design solutions in often complex/ sensitive situations.
  • Exercise management authority to make significant decisions and certain strategic decisions or recommendations within own area.
  • Negotiate with and influence stakeholders at a senior level both internally and externally.
  • Act as principal contact point for key clients and counterparts in other functions/ businesses divisions.
  • Mandated as a spokesperson for the function and business division.
  • All Senior Leaders are expected to demonstrate a clear set of leadership behaviours to create an environment for colleagues to thrive and deliver to a consistently excellent standard.
  • Purpose The Head of Agile Testing leads the Agile Testing function, delivering proactive, risk-based, data-led testing across Financial Crime and Compliance risk areas.
  • The role provides independent challenge and insight through rapid, sprint-based reviews that identify emerging risks, assess the effectiveness of controls and remediation, and provide senior management with forward-looking intelligence.
  • The role is accountable for establishing and continually enhancing the Agile Testing methodology, operating model, governance, reporting, and delivery capability.
  • This ensures testing remains agile, focused on the highest-risk areas, and aligned with the firm's risk appetite and strategic priorities.

Requirements

  • Essential Significant experience in Financial Crime, Compliance, Risk, Assurance, Audit, or Testing functions.
  • Proven leadership experience managing senior specialist teams.
  • Strong understanding of AML, Sanctions, ABC, Fraud, and broader Compliance risk frameworks.
  • Experience designing and implementing testing, assurance, or oversight frameworks.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills.
  • Experience presenting risk matters to senior executives and governance forums.

Preferred

  • Experience establishing new functions or operating models.
  • Strong expertise in data analytics and management information.
  • Familiarity with agile delivery methodologies.
  • Experience with technology-enabled testing tools and data platforms.
  • Regulatory engagement and thematic review experience.
  • Success Measures Identification of emerging risks and thematic issues.
  • Quality and timeliness of testing outputs.
  • Management adoption of recommendations.
  • Reduction in repeat control weaknesses and thematic findings.
  • Stakeholder satisfaction and credibility of insights provided.
  • Continuous improvement in frameworks, analytics, and delivery efficiency.
  • Demonstrable contribution to improved risk management and regulatory outcomes.
  • Leadership Expectations Sets strategic direction and delivers through others.
  • Demonstrates sound judgement and balanced, risk-based decision-making.
  • Facilitates constructive challenge while maintaining strong stakeholder relationships.
  • Drives innovation and continuous improvement.
  • Leads with integrity and accountability, with a strong focus on the firm's values and control environment.