Head of AFC Governance & Strategy - Director (m/w/d)
Düsseldorf, DE, 40474
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 Head of AFC Governance & Strategy (Director) for our Anti-Financial Crime Compliance Department to join our team in Frankfurt or Düsseldorf.
This role offers the opportunity to shape the strategic direction of SMBC EU’s Anti-Financial Crime framework and lead its continuous development in response to evolving financial crime risks and regulatory expectations. You will oversee AFC governance, risk assessment, regulatory change, management reporting, and remediation activities while leading a specialist team and advising senior stakeholders across SMBC EU and EMEA.
About this role
The Anti-Financial Crime Compliance Department protects SMBC EU from financial crime risk and supports compliance with applicable legal, regulatory, and Group requirements. This role leads the Governance & Strategy function, setting the strategic roadmap for the AFC framework and ensuring that risk assessments, policies, regulatory developments, and remediation priorities are translated into effective and sustainable actions.
In this role you will be responsible for:
- Setting the strategic direction and multi-year roadmap for the SMBC EU AFC framework, subject to approval by the Head of AFC/MLRO, and overseeing its implementation
- Leading the methodology, governance, delivery, documentation, and quality assurance of SMBC EU financial crime risk assessments, including coordination of contributions to the EMEA AML Risk Assessment
- Developing and maintaining AFC governance frameworks, policies, standards, procedures, escalation criteria, and decision-making processes
- Overseeing AFC regulatory change activities, including horizon scanning, impact assessments, implementation planning, delivery monitoring, and escalation of material gaps
- Providing decision-oriented management information to the Head of AFC/MLRO and relevant governance bodies on financial crime risks, incidents, audit findings, remediation progress, overdue actions, and residual risk
- Coordinating responses to regulators, law enforcement authorities, auditors, and other assurance functions within delegated authority and applicable confidentiality requirements
- Leading and developing the AFC Governance & Strategy team, including objective setting, resource prioritisation, performance management, coaching, succession planning, and quality assurance
The anticipated salary range for this role is €91,000 - €137,000, 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.
Profile Description
For you to succeed in this role
- 5–10 years of relevant experience within financial services and AML or Financial Crime Compliance, including experience in a senior governance, risk assessment, regulatory change, or strategy role
- Strong knowledge of German and European AML, counter-terrorist financing, sanctions, and banking laws and regulations
- Demonstrated experience developing AFC frameworks, leading financial crime risk assessments, overseeing remediation, and translating regulatory requirements into practical implementation plans
- University degree in Law, Business, Economics, Banking, or a related discipline, or an equivalent professional qualification
- Fluency in German and English, with excellent written and verbal communication skills in both languages
What will you bring to the role?
- Strategic and risk-based judgement, with the ability to provide independent challenge and deliver clear recommendations to senior stakeholders
- Strong leadership capabilities, with experience setting priorities, developing teams, managing performance, and maintaining high-quality standards
- Excellent analytical, organisational, and project management skills, with the ability to manage complex and competing priorities
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, including confidence engaging senior management, regulators, auditors, legal advisers, and cross-border stakeholders
- Sound judgement regarding escalation, confidentiality, delegated authority, and legal-entity accountability
Desirable
- Experience coordinating AFC governance or risk assessment activities across multiple legal entities or jurisdictions
- Exposure to Group-wide or EMEA financial crime frameworks and collaboration with local MLROs, First Line teams, Risk, Legal, Internal Audit, Data, and Technology functions
- Experience managing regulatory examinations, material audit findings, or complex remediation programmes
- Relevant professional certification in AML, Financial Crime Compliance, Risk Management, or Compliance, such as ACAMS, ICA, or equivalent
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.