Financial Crime Senior Specialist

OverviewA vacancy has arisen for a Financial Crime Specialist to serve as the subject matter expert on Financial Crime for M&G South Africa. The role is responsible for supporting operational teams and Compliance in meeting AML/CFT, sanctions, and fraud regulatory requirements through expert advisory, escalation management, and oversight of financial crime processes, including the AML activities performed by third-party service providers.This position ensures alignment with the organisation’s business AML Standards while enabling full adherence to local regulatory obligations. The incumbent will also provide functional support to the Global Financial Crime Office (FCO), including regulatory interpretation, reporting, and financial crime monitoring activities.Key ResponsibilitiesFinancial Crime Advisory and SME Support•Provide expert guidance on financial crime regulatory requirements in South Africa and Namibia.•Act as a point of contact for regulatory queries, interpretation, and application.•Ensure changes in regulation are understood and adopted by relevant business areas•Support the implementation of Group AML Standards locally, balancing regulatory expectations and operational realities.•Contribute expert insight to the Global FCO on local market trends, regulatory nuances, and implementation considerations.Escalation and Investigative Case Management•Act as the escalation point for operational queries related to sanctions, suspicious activity, or potential fraud.•Manage the full lifecycle of financial crime investigations: intake, triage, documentation, escalation, resolution.•Coordinate with the Global FCO where required to support group-level investigations and issue resolution.•Recommend appropriate controls or remedial actions following investigations.Stakeholder Engagement and Operational Support•Collaborate with business teams to review onboarding cases, resolve KYC/CDD bottlenecks, and embed financial crime risk management into core processes.•Support sanctions screening reviews and approvals, escalating matters to Compliance or Global FCO as needed.•Design and deliver training, awareness campaigns, or onboarding briefings for frontline teams.•Assist in embedding a culture of financial crime awareness and operational rigour across first-line functions.Reporting and Third-Party Oversight•Compile and present meaningful management information (MI) and dashboards on financial crime activity and emerging risks.•Review and provide assurance on third-party compliance with AML policies and standards.•Support audits and regulatory inspections by ensuring quality documentation and audit trail integrity.•Review and close local Trade Monitoring (TM) alerts in line with Group standards and systems.Attributes, Qualifications, Skills & Experience•Bachelor’s Degree in Law, Risk Management, Compliance, Finance, or related discipline•Preferred: CAMS (Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist) or equivalent financial crime certification•8–10 years in financial crime, compliance, or regulatory risk management roles within financial services•In-depth exposure to the Asset Management sector, particularly public markets in South Africa and Namibia•Experience managing regulatory inspections, escalations, sanctions decisions, and financial crime investigations•Familiarity with both local and cross-border regulatory frameworks including the FIC Act, POCA, FAIS, FATF requirements•Experience working within a multinational environment and coordinating with global compliance teams•Advanced understanding of AML/CFT frameworks, financial crime typologies, and sanctions legislation•Expertise in asset management financial crime risks, including public markets exposure•Experience managing complex case escalations and regulatory responses•Knowledge of compliance platforms (e.g., Actimize, NICE, LexisNexis, WorldCheck)•Proficiency in compiling MI reports and documentation for internal and external audits•Strong communication, presentation, and stakeholder engagement skills•Ability to navigate global compliance structures and localise group policies effectivelyCompetencies & Personal Attributes•Technical and Professional Knowledge/Skills – Maintains deep regulatory and operational expertise•Judgement and Decision Making – Uses sound analysis to resolve compliance challenges•Problem Solving – Tackles complex investigations with structured logic and accountability•Drive Operational Excellence – Consistently delivers high-quality work and embeds process rigour•Builds Collaborative Relationships – Engages cross-functional and cross-border stakeholders effectively•Communication – Shares clear, informed advice; communicates complex issues in accessible ways