AML Operations Manager

Let's get into the specifics. It’s impossible to capture every nuance of a role – especially at a rapidly growing company like Mews – but if we had to distil it into a job description (which we do because this is a job description), it would be this:

At Mews, we’re building a robust, scalable and future-ready compliance function. We’re looking for an AML Operations Manager to take ownership of the quality and effectiveness of our AML and CTF operational controls as a first line of defence leader.

This is a high-accountability role with real scope. You’ll own outcomes across core AML operations, ensuring that customer due diligence, transaction monitoring, screening, escalations and reporting consistently meet the standards expected of a regulated financial institution. Much of the operational delivery is performed by centralised and outsourced teams, so success in this role means combining strong AML judgement with excellent oversight, decision-making and stakeholder management. As Mews continues to grow, this role is expected to broaden in scope alongside our product and customer footprint.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it:

• Own the quality and effectiveness of AML and CTF operational controls across Mews FS

• Ensure initial and ongoing customer due diligence, including KYC, KYB, onboarding and customer risk assessments, are completed to policy and regulatory standards

• Review and approve enhanced due diligence decisions and risk-based approaches for higher-risk customers

• Oversee first line AML alerts, exceptions and investigations, ensuring high-risk matters are escalated appropriately and followed through to resolution

• Approve customer acceptance decisions and direct offboarding where required for CDD-related reasons

• Own the quality and effectiveness of transaction monitoring activities delivered by central or third-party teams

• Approve or escalate suspicious activity reports and ensure investigations and reporting are timely, traceable and audit-ready

• Oversee sanctions, PEP and adverse media screening frameworks, including decisioning on escalations and positive matches

• Ensure AML and CTF policies, procedures, playbooks and escalation frameworks are applied consistently and remain effective as the business evolves

• Drive remediation and process improvements following audits, regulatory findings or internal lessons learned

• Ensure first line training and awareness programmes are effective, current and aligned to regulatory expectations

• Partner closely with Compliance, Risk, the MLRO, Operations and wider Mews teams on escalation, governance and reporting

• Own the quality and integrity of operational AML reporting for leadership and governance forums

• Ensure the business is prepared for internal audit, external audit and regulatory review

• Oversee outsourced and third-party AML operations, ensuring performance, control quality and regulatory expectations are met

You’ll be a great fit if you bring a few of the below with you:

• 7+ years of experience in AML operations, CDD or financial crime operations within a European regulated financial services environment

• Strong understanding of AML and CTF regulation and best practice, including EU AML frameworks, Dutch AML requirements and FATF recommendations

• Experience operating in a first line role with meaningful accountability for AML outcomes

• Proven experience working with or overseeing outsourced or centralised operational teams

• Strong familiarity with transaction monitoring systems and CDD technology solutions

• Sound judgement and confidence making risk-based decisions in a regulated environment

• Ability to translate regulatory requirements and risk findings into practical operational controls and scalable processes

• Excellent communication skills in English, with the ability to work effectively across senior stakeholders, control functions and delivery teams

• A proactive, hands-on and detail-oriented approach

• Compliance qualifications such as ICA, ACAMS or CAMS are a strong plus