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Merchant Acquiring Financial Crime Oversight - AVP

London, United Kingdom; Northampton, United Kingdom

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Date live: 03/08/2026

Business Area: BPL - Risk & Compliance

Area of Expertise: Compliance

Contract: Permanent

Reference Code: JR-0000124515

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Barclays Compliance

Compliance is a broad, multidisciplinary function at Barclays that oversees our global business operations. We ensure the bank lives its values, meets regulatory requirements, and follows our codes of conduct. Compliance helps manage financial affairs safely, prevents crime, and eliminates bad practices, acting as guardians for customers, colleagues, assets, shareholders, and reputation. This vital, challenging, and rewarding role protects customers, defends our reputation, and defines our business practices. Without Compliance, Barclays could not operate.

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Help strengthen Financial Crime oversight within one of the UK's leading Merchant Acquiring businesses. We're seeking an experienced Financial Crime professional with Merchant Acquiring expertise to join our Financial Crime Oversight team.

This is a Second Line of Defence role responsible for supporting the independent oversight and assessment of the Merchant Acquiring Financial Crime Control Framework. Working closely with the Financial Crime Oversight Lead and key stakeholders across the business, Risk, Compliance and Audit functions, you will provide challenge, oversight and insight into the effectiveness of Financial Crime controls, helping ensure risks are identified, managed and mitigated in line with regulatory requirements and Barclays risk appetite.

You will play a key role in the delivery of the Financial Crime Monitoring Plan, conducting thematic reviews, control effectiveness assessments and Quality Assurance activities across critical Financial Crime processes. Through effective analysis and stakeholder engagement, you will help identify emerging risks, monitor remediation activity and support the continuous enhancement of the Financial Crime control environment.

This role requires a strong understanding of the Financial Crime risks associated with Merchant Acquiring, including customer onboarding, KYC and due diligence processes, payment facilitators, marketplaces, high-risk merchant sectors, transaction flows, sanctions exposure, fraud typologies and evolving regulatory expectations.

This is an exciting opportunity to develop specialist expertise within Financial Crime Oversight in a dynamic Merchant Acquiring business. You'll play a critical role in delivering oversight reviews, Quality Assurance activities and control assessments that provide valuable insight into the effectiveness of the Financial Crime Framework. Working alongside senior Financial Crime stakeholders, you'll contribute to monitoring, assurance, thematic reviews and issue oversight activities, helping Barclays identify emerging risks, strengthen controls and maintain an effective and sustainable Financial Crime control environment.

Key Accountabilities

  • Support the ongoing independent assessment of the Merchant Acquiring Financial Crime Control Framework, identifying control weaknesses and opportunities for enhancement.
  • Deliver reviews and testing activities under the Financial Crime Monitoring Plan, assessing the design and effectiveness of key Financial Crime controls.
  • Review and assess control performance, providing challenge and recommendations to strengthen the Financial Crime control environment.
  • Supporting Financial Crime issue and event management activities, including remediation tracking, validation of actions and review of supporting evidence.
  • Assisting with the analysis of Financial Crime metrics, incidents, monitoring outcomes and management information to identify trends, emerging risks and potential control weaknesses.
  • Assisting with the preparation of high-quality oversight reports, review findings, management information and governance papers for senior stakeholders and governance forums.
  • Supporting audit, regulatory and remediation activities through effective oversight, challenge and monitoring of agreed actions.
  • Building effective relationships across the business, Risk, Compliance and operational teams to promote a strong and sustainable Financial Crime control environment.

To be successful as a Merchant Acquiring Financial Crime Oversight AVP, you should have:

  • Experience within Financial Crime, Compliance, Risk or a related control function within banking, payments or financial services.

  • Merchant Acquiring experience preferred, including a strong understanding of merchant onboarding, customer due diligence, card acquiring and associated Financial Crime risks.

  • Strong knowledge of AML, Sanctions, Anti-Bribery & Corruption and wider Financial Crime regulatory requirements.

  • Experience operating within a Second Line Financial Crime, Compliance, Oversight or Assurance function.

  • Experience conducting monitoring reviews, quality assurance activities, control testing, assurance reviews or thematic assessments.

  • Strong understanding of KYC, Customer Due Diligence, Enhanced Due Diligence and ongoing monitoring requirements.

  • Excellent analytical skills with the ability to assess complex risks and identify meaningful insights.

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing governance and management reporting.

  • Proven ability to build effective stakeholder relationships and provide constructive challenge.

  • Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality outputs within a fast-paced and evolving environment.

Some other highly valued skills may include:

  • Experience supporting Financial Crime monitoring, oversight, assurance or control effectiveness programmes.

  • Knowledge of card scheme requirements, payment facilitator models, marketplaces and higher-risk merchant sectors.

  • Experience supporting regulatory reviews, internal audit activity or remediation programmes.

  • Professional qualifications such as ICA, ACAMS or equivalent.

  • Use of Data Analytics tools and techniques.

You may be assessed on key critical skills relevant for success in the role, such as risk and controls, change and transformation, business acumen, strategic thinking and digital and technology, as well as job-specific technical skills.

This role will be based in London or Northampton.

Barclays’ payments acceptance business provides critical infrastructure to the UK economy, processing billions of pounds of payments annually for both small businesses and domestic and international corporate clients.

In April 2025, we announced a long-term partnership with Brookfield Asset Management to grow and transform the payments acceptance business by broadening the range of services offered, enhancing the experience for both existing and prospective clients. Leveraging extensive client relationships and deep experience of UK payments, we will create an environment of continuous innovation - activated by Brookfield’s global private equity expertise in payments, technology, operational transformation and corporate carve-outs - to ensure the business is strategically positioned for long-term growth.

Barclays will invest approximately £400m in the new business, the majority of which will be incurred during the first three years. Performance-linked incentives will drive greater alignment between the partners, underpinning the long-term commitment to the transformation. Barclays and Brookfield will work to create a standalone entity over time, continuing to use the Barclaycard Payments brand and acting as the sole payments acceptance services provider to Barclays’ clients for a minimum of ten years. 

For more information on our partnership with Brookfield (programme ‘Gaia’), please visit Barclays.com.

Purpose of the role

To provide assurance over the effectiveness of Compliance Risk Management across the bank. 

Accountabilities

  • Development and refresh of the Compliance Assurance Annual Plan, ensuring that the Annual Plan focuses on areas of highest risk and value in relation to Compliance Risk.
  • Delivery of risk-based assurance activity to validate the effectiveness of controls and processes designed to mitigate Compliance Risk.
  • Identification of potential risks associated with non-compliance or control weaknesses in relation to Compliance Risk.
  • Verbal and written communication of Compliance Assurance reports and issues to enhance the effectiveness of Compliance Risk management and oversight.
  • Build, development and maintenance of effective relationships between Compliance Assurance and stakeholders across the three lines of defence.
  • Proactive adoption of Data Analytics capabilities to increase the efficiency, effectiveness and coverage of Assurance work.
  • Continued focus on the Barclays Mindset and Consistently Excellent to enhance the Assurance that we deliver, how it is delivered and the culture within the bank.

Assistant Vice President Expectations

  • To advise and influence decision making, contribute to policy development and take responsibility for operational effectiveness. Collaborate closely with other functions/ business divisions.
  • Lead a team performing complex tasks, using well developed professional knowledge and skills to deliver on work that impacts the whole business function. Set objectives and coach employees in pursuit of those objectives, appraisal of performance relative to objectives and determination of reward outcomes
  • If the position has leadership responsibilities, People Leaders are expected to demonstrate a clear set of leadership behaviours to create an environment for colleagues to thrive and deliver to a consistently excellent standard. The four LEAD behaviours are: L – Listen and be authentic, E – Energise and inspire, A – Align across the enterprise, D – Develop others.
  • OR for an individual contributor, they will lead collaborative assignments and guide team members through structured assignments, identify the need for the inclusion of other areas of specialisation to complete assignments. They will identify new directions for assignments and/ or projects, identifying a combination of cross functional methodologies or practices to meet required outcomes.
  • Consult on complex issues; providing advice to People Leaders to support the resolution of escalated issues.
  • Identify ways to mitigate risk and developing new policies/procedures in support of the control and governance agenda.
  • Take ownership for managing risk and strengthening controls in relation to the work done.
  • Perform work that is closely related to that of other areas, which requires understanding of how areas coordinate and contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the organisation sub-function.
  • Collaborate with other areas of work, for business aligned support areas to keep up to speed with business activity and the business strategy.
  • Engage in complex analysis of data from multiple sources of information, internal and external sources such as procedures and practises (in other areas, teams, companies, etc).to solve problems creatively and effectively.
  • Communicate complex information. 'Complex' information could include sensitive information or information that is difficult to communicate because of its content or its audience.
  • Influence or convince stakeholders to achieve outcomes.

All colleagues will be expected to demonstrate the Barclays Values of Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence and Stewardship – our moral compass, helping us do what we believe is right. They will also be expected to demonstrate the Barclays Mindset – to Empower, Challenge and Drive – the operating manual for how we behave.

Barclays welcomes applications from all candidates and is committed to ensuring reasonable adjustments (accommodations) are put in place to allow for a fair and inclusive recruitment process. For more information and how to request one, please review Adjustments to the recruitment process.

We’re a global, vital and highly respected financial organisation with an inspiring Purpose. Operating in 39 countries and employing around 100,000 people across the world, we help communities, individuals and businesses thrive. And we’ve created financial solutions and technology that the world now takes for granted. A career with us can offer incredible variety, depth and breadth of experience, and the chance to learn from some of the best minds in technology and finance.

To find out more about Barclays' strategy please click here.

We are an equal opportunity employer and opposed to discrimination on any grounds. It is the policy of Barclays to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, colour, creed, religion, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by law.

Barclays is required by law to confirm that you have the Legal Right to Work in any role that you apply for. If you currently hold a work visa sponsored by Barclays, or you would require sponsorship from Barclays, you must declare this as part of your application. Sponsored visas are role and entity specific and any changes must be reviewed. It is important that you ensure you are working on the correct visa at all times. Failure to accurately disclose your visa status or Legal Right to Work may result in your application or any employment offer being withdrawn at any time.

This role may be subject to enhanced governance arrangements. If successful, you may be required to comply with additional regulatory and compliance obligations, such as disclosure of personal trading activities and external interest/affiliations.

Further information on these requirements will be provided at a later stage of the process.

This is Barclays London

Our global HQ is in Canary Wharf, at the heart of London’s financial district. There are over 10,000 colleagues here – a hugely diverse workforce made up of the world’s best financial and tech talent. If you love the buzz of city life, this is the place to be.

Cycle or run to work? We’ve got everything you need – from cycle hire and parking areas to new showering and changing facilities.

CoSpace is our drop-in co-working space, where networks are built, problems are solved collectively and our community is strengthened.

Our Wellness Suite includes a well-equipped gym and exercise studios, and provides personal training sessions and massage therapy.

Our new trading floors enhance communication, integrate sustainability, and support health and wellbeing through innovative design and British-sourced furniture.

This is Barclays London

Our global HQ is in Canary Wharf, at the heart of London’s financial district. There are over 10,000 colleagues here – a hugely diverse workforce made up of the world’s best financial and tech talent. If you love the buzz of city life, this is the place to be.

Supporting active commuters

Cycle or run to work? We’ve got everything you need – from cycle hire and parking areas to new showering and changing facilities.

Time to connect

CoSpace is our drop-in co-working space, where networks are built, problems are solved collectively and our community is strengthened.

Wellbeing in focus

Our Wellness Suite includes a well-equipped gym and exercise studios, and provides personal training sessions and massage therapy.

Advanced trading floors

Our new trading floors enhance communication, integrate sustainability, and support health and wellbeing through innovative design and British-sourced furniture.

Multicultural ERGs at Barclays

Be you. Be valued. Belong.

We celebrate the unique perspectives and experiences each individual brings, believing our differences make us stronger and drive success.

You can learn more about our commitment to our colleague on our Inclusion and Opportunities page.

Learn more

Application Process

Your application

We’ll ask for information about you, your CV and cover letter.

1

Your assessment

Covering your behaviours and ability at work.

2

Your interview

Exploring your past experiences and skills.

3

Next step

We’ll request additional information so that you can complete our screening process

4
How to ApplyRead our FAQ's
Barclays

Working flexibly

We’re committed to providing a supportive and inclusive culture and environment for you to work in. This environment recognises and supports your personal needs, alongside the professional needs of our business. If you'd like to explore flexible working arrangements, please discuss this with the hiring manager. Your request will be reviewed in-line with the requirements of the role/business needs of the team.

Hybrid working

We have a structured approach to hybrid working, where colleagues work at an onsite location on fixed, ‘anchor’, days, as set by the business area. Please discuss the working pattern requirements for the role you are applying for with the hiring manager. Please note that working arrangements may be subject to change on reasonable notice to ensure we meet the needs of our business.

Barclays is built on an international scale.

Our geographic reach, our wide variety of functions, businesses, roles and locations reflect the rich diversity of our worldwide customer base. All of which means we offer incredible variety, depth and breadth of experience.
And the chance to learn from a globally diverse mix of colleagues, including some of the very best minds in banking, finance, technology and business. Throughout, we’ll encourage you to embrace mobility, exploring every part of our operations as you build your career.

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