Financial Crime - Senior Manager, Strategy & Change

Who are we

Founded in 1896, Knight Frank was registered as Knight Frank LLP a Limited Liability Partnership, on 3 November 2003, registered in England & Wales at 55 Baker Street, London, W1U 8AN with the registered number of OC305934. Headquartered in London, UK, Knight Frank is one of the world's leading independent real estate consultancies. We work responsibly in partnership to enhance people's lives and environments in over 50 Markets, 600+ Offices, 20,000+ People, 1 Global Network.

At the heart of all we do are our Clients. A relationship built on trust is vital. As trusted partners in property, we act with integrity and care, understanding our clients’ unique needs and consistently thinking about the bigger picture to provide personalised, clear and considered advice across all areas of property. Through our deep understanding of key markets and sectors – both emerging and established – we are dedicated to meeting and exceeding their property goals.

A true partnership is a balanced one, and our People are passionate about, and committed to, making our business inclusive and diverse. We give every individual the space and opportunity to perform at their best and be recognised for the immense value they bring. We empower everyone to have autonomy in their role and encourage them to use their voice in how we can make a positive impact as a firm and shape the future of real estate, the built environment and the impact on the communities we serve. Our collaborative and engaged teams provide excellent and dedicated client service. In our workplace, opinions are respected, everyone is invited to contribute to the success of our business and innovation, and new ideas are celebrated.

In 2021 we celebrated our 125th anniversary and set out Our Desired Future, cemented in three pillars: People Potential, Client Centricity and always Creating our Future, together. Learn more about what sets us apart here.

About The Role

Knight Frank is looking to hire a Senior Manager Financial Crime Strategy & Change to join their Head Office in Baker Street.

We are seeking an experienced and commercially minded senior leader to take on the role of Senior Manager Financial Crime Strategy & Change.

This position will lead the identification, prioritisation, and delivery of financial crime transformation initiatives ensuring the business adapts effectively to internal and external pressures.

The role will support in mitigating risk and ensuring compliance with UK and international regulations while enabling sustainable business growth will be a priority. You will be a financial crime subject matter expert, representing us with industry bodies, and senior stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

This role will lead the identification, prioritisation, and delivery of financial crime transformation initiatives. Key responsibilities include:

• Driving the strategic direction for financial crime compliance by utilising extensive industry connections and deep knowledge.

• Collaborate with key stakeholders to develop innovative and viable solutions aligned with business and regulatory priorities.

• Leading and supporting large and small change, providing desired prioritisation, including onboarding transformation, risk assessment modernisation, and technology enablement.

• Ensuring change is meticulously integrated into financial crime processes through comprehensive requirements and rigorous testing.

• Ownership of the enterprise-wide financial crime roadmap, ensuring regulatory alignment.

• Enhancing MI, data use, and reporting to improve executive decision-making.

• Coordinating with Legal, Risk, Technology and frontline teams amongst others.

• Providing training to internal colleagues.

• Engaging with the real estate industry and the financial crime suppliers to leverage performance improvements.

• Recommending changes based on thorough analysis of risk or control deficiencies, and remedial actions are prioritised as appropriate.

• Acting as senior deputy to the Head of Financial Crime Compliance & MLRO on strategic matters.

This leadership role will be pivotal in embedding a proactive and forward‑looking approach to financial crime compliance.

Experience Required:

• Extensive experience designing and delivering financial crime strategy, including AML, sanctions, fraud, and ABC frameworks aligned to regulatory expectations (e.g., FCA, PRA, JMLSG, FATF).

• Proven track record supporting large‑scale financial crime transformation programmes, such as system upgrades, target operating model redesign, remediation programmes, or RegTech implementations (KYC/CDD platforms, transaction monitoring, screening tools).

• Deep expertise in change management, including operating-model impact assessments, communication planning, training, stakeholder alignment, and embedding new processes, behaviours, and controls across multiple business units.

• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with experience interpreting complex regulatory requirements, conducting risk assessments, analysing financial crime data, and making evidence‑based recommendations.

• Significant stakeholder management experience, partnering with senior leaders, compliance, risk, technology, operations, and external regulators/auditors to drive cross‑functional alignment and accountable delivery.

• Experience optimising controls and improving efficiency, including workflow simplification, process mapping, policy/procedure enhancements, and implementing continuous‑improvement practices to uplift overall financial crime risk management.

Competitive salary

Please note: this is a Direct Search led by Knight Frank. Applications from recruitment agencies will not be accepted nor will fees be paid for unsolicited CVs, even if provided by PSL agencies.