R151636 - KYC Onboarding Team Lead (2 of 2)

This role sits within the AML/KYC organisation and is responsible for the effective execution of KYC activities across the KYC Centre of Excellence (CoE), ensuring high quality outcomes, regulatory compliance, and strong operational discipline.

The role reports into senior AML/KYC Operations leadership and plays a key role in ensuring KYC processes are executed efficiently, risks are identified and managed, and operational performance meets enterprise and regulatory expectations.

Role Overview

The KYC Onboarding Team Lead is accountable for the end to end operational delivery of KYC activities within the KYC CoE.

This includes oversight of Customer Due Diligence (CDD) and Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD).

The role ensures KYC outputs are timely, accurate, and compliant, while embedding strong first line controls, effective issue management, and continuous improvement across KYC operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee day to day KYC operations within the KYC CoE, ensuring timely and accurate completion of CDD and EDD.

• Ensure operational execution aligns with AML/KYC policies, procedures, regulatory requirements, and enterprise standards

• Manage workflow allocation, capacity planning, and prioritisation to meet service level agreements (SLAs) and regulatory timelines

• Act as a point of escalation for complex KYC cases, operational issues, and delivery risks

• Embed strong 1LOD controls across KYC operational processes to ensure consistent, high quality outputs

• Identify, assess, and manage operational AML/KYC risks, ensuring issues are logged, tracked, and remediated in line with Northern Trust’s risk appetite

• Own and deliver remediation actions arising from quality assurance reviews, audits, regulatory exams, and 2LOD challenge.

• Drive root cause analysis for recurring issues and implement sustainable process improvements

• Partner closely with the KYC CoE Governance, Quality Assurance, Training, and 2LOD teams to ensure alignment

• Provide operational updates, MI, and insights to senior management, highlighting risks, capacity constraints, and emerging themes

• Participate in relevant AML/KYC forums and working groups, representing KYC Operations and ensuring clear communication of operational risks and dependencies

• Support the implementation of process enhancements, technology changes, and strategic initiatives impacting KYC Operations (e.g. tooling, workflow optimisation, regulatory change)

• Promote standardisation and best practices across the KYC CoE to drive efficiency and consistency

• Champion a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and operational excellence

• Recruit, develop, and lead a team of KYC Operations professionals

• Set clear performance expectations, provide coaching, and support capability development

• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high performance culture aligned to Northern Trust values

The ideal candidate should have a fair amount of the following skills & experience:

• Strong knowledge of AML/KYC regulations, customer due diligence requirements, and operational KYC processes

• Proven experience in a KYC Operations, AML Operations, or Financial Crime role within Financial Services

• Demonstrated people management experience, including performance management and capability development

• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities in a high volume environment

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to escalate and influence effectively

• Strong risk management mindset with the ability to manage complex issues. 

• College or university degree and / or equivalent relevant professional experience impact issues.