Role Overview
We are seeking an accomplished and visionary leader to head the Client Due Diligence function. The Head of Client Due Diligence will be responsible for driving strategic oversight and operational excellence across all client onboarding, verification, and compliance processes. This role demands extensive leadership experience, a strong understanding of middle office operations, and the ability to integrate regulatory compliance, process governance, and client service standards at scale.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Strategic Management
- Lead the Client Due Diligence and Middle Office Operations team with clear direction, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and high performance.
- Develop and execute the strategic roadmap for client due diligence, ensuring alignment with regulatory frameworks, risk management objectives, and business growth priorities.
- Act as a senior stakeholder in governance committees, contributing to risk assessments, audit readiness, and control enhancements.
- Build a center of excellence in client verification and due diligence, leveraging technology and automation to drive efficiency and accuracy.
Client Due Diligence & Risk Oversight
- Oversee end-to-end client due diligence processes across onboarding, review, and re-validation cycles.
- Ensure adherence to KYC, AML, Sanction Checks, and data protection standards across all client segments.
- Implement robust risk assessment frameworks for identifying, monitoring, and mitigating operational and compliance risks.
- Drive continuous improvement in due diligence methodologies, integrating advanced analytics, AI tools, and digital workflows.
Operational Excellence & Middle Office Integration
- Collaborate closely with Sales, risk, and compliance teams to ensure seamless client experience and operational efficiency.
- Establish and enhance governance protocols, SOPs, and audit mechanisms to ensure process integrity and transparency.
- Leverage best practices to streamline workflows, reduce turnaround times, and improve control effectiveness.
- Ensure scalability of due diligence operations through technology, talent development, and cross-functional collaboration.
Team & Stakeholder Management
- Lead, inspire, and develop a team of due diligence professionals across multiple geographies and operational models.
- Partner with senior leadership across Risk, Legal, Compliance, and Operations to align due diligence strategy with organizational goals.
Drive engagement, training, and career development within the team to build strong leadership succession and domain expertise