AML and Sanctions Compliance - Principal Associate

Nottingham Trent House (95002), United Kingdom, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire

AML and Sanctions Compliance - Principal Associate

Job Title:

AML and Sanctions Compliance - Principal Associate

Location:

Nottingham - Hybrid

Working Pattern: 3 days in-office (Tuesday-Thursday) and 2 days remote.

Our Mission

We’re on a mission to be a force for good in lending. Throughout our almost 30-year history, we’ve consistently been recognised as a great place to work; in 2026, Capital One was officially ranked 9th in the UK’s Best Workplaces™ list.  about what it’s like working at Capital One UK.

About the Role

In the FCC team, Principal Associates blend their financial crime expertise with strong stakeholder management to drive our UK AML Work Programme. They are the driving force behind delivering change, keeping projects on track, and ensuring our reporting and controls actually work in practice. Our mission is to keep the bad guys out and make Capital One an unfriendly place for financial criminals.

What You'll Do

Overseeing our Financial Crime Delivery Team

Mentor and grow:
Provide clear leadership, and advisory support for our first-line investigators.

Set the standard:
Define clear standards so everyone knows exactly what success looks like.

Develop our best people:
Actively support training and development for our first-line teams so we have the best performing, expert teams.

Driving the AML Work Programme

Keep the wheels turning:
Ensure key AML projects and reports are delivered accurately and on time.

If it isn't documented, it didn't happen:
Take ownership of updating policies, procedures, and annual training so they are practical and fit for purpose.

Audit support:
Run necessary assessments and partner closely with the MLRO to navigate AML/CTF audits.

Managing Suspicious Activity (SARs)

Make the right call:
Work alongside the MLRO to ensure all suspicious activity decisions are approved by the book.

Raise the bar:
Use Quality Assurance as a coaching tool, providing actionable feedback to improve our overall SAR quality.

Stay ahead of the curve:
Keep sharp on the latest NCA guidance and translate those updates into practical advice for the team and the wider business.

Strengthening the Control Environment

Maintain the standard:
Keep our AML requirements and test plans fully aligned with UK standards.

Fix what's broken:
Take the lead on resolving risk events and making sure audit findings are properly closed out.

Look at the big picture:
Dig into first line functions to ensure their frontline AML checks are comprehensive and effective.

Build trust:
Foster the kind of relationships where stakeholders come to you proactively when a control isn't working.

Test the defenses:
Execute 2nd-line assurance to catch vulnerabilities before they become actual problems.

Find the bad guys:
Oversee and provide credible challenge of our Customer Due Diligence processes

Handling the Complex Cases

The final set of eyes:
Perform secondary QA checks (QA on the QA) to maintain an exceptionally high standard.

Provide clarity:
Step into complex review meetings to help untangle difficult cases and guide the team to a confident decision.

The skills and experience you'll need

Know the landscape:
Bring an understanding of the UK financial crime regulatory framework to set the compliance standard (knowledge of the Money Laundering Regulations, JMLSG, and the Proceeds of Crime Act are essential).

Lead from the front:
Proven experience conducting and leading teams through end-to-end financial crime investigations in high-volume consumer credit environments.

Make defensible calls:
Confidently execute well-documented investigation decisions to ensure consistent submission of high-quality SARs.

Sharpen your edge:
Maintain a strong appetite for continuous…