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Merchant Acquiring Financial Crime Policy & Advisory AVP

London, United Kingdom; Northampton, United Kingdom

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Date live: 02/08/2026

Business Area: BPL - Risk & Compliance

Area of Expertise: Compliance

Contract: Permanent

Reference Code: JR-0000124510

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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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We're seeking an experienced Financial Crime professional with Merchant Acquiring expertise to join our BPL Financial Crime Policy & Advisory team.

This is a Second Line of Defence role responsible for supporting the provision of Financial Crime oversight, advice and challenge across the Payments Acquiring business. Working closely with stakeholders across the business, Risk and Compliance teams, you will contribute to the effective management of financial crime risks whilst supporting the business in achieving its strategic objectives.

You will provide advisory support on complex Financial Crime matters, contribute to policy and governance activities, support risk assessments and remediation programmes, and help enhance the control environment across the merchant lifecycle.

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

This is an exciting opportunity to develop your Financial Crime expertise within a dynamic Merchant Acquiring environment. You'll gain exposure to a wide range of Financial Crime risks, work alongside experienced subject matter experts, and play an important role in strengthening the control environment that supports our merchant acquiring business.

You'll have the opportunity to influence risk outcomes, contribute to strategic initiatives and build specialist expertise in one of the fastest-evolving areas of financial services.

Key Accountabilities

  • Assist in providing Financial Crime advice and guidance to the Merchant Acquiring business on day-to-day risk matters, customer onboarding, customer lifecycle management and business initiatives.
  • Support with the interpretation and implementation of Financial Crime policies, standards and regulatory requirements.
  • Review customer escalations, high-risk merchant referrals, policy exceptions and risk assessments, providing clear and risk-based recommendations.
  • Assist in the oversight of remediation programmes, audit actions and regulatory deliverables, ensuring actions are tracked and completed effectively.
  • Perform analysis of Financial Crime metrics, incidents, emerging threats and industry developments to identify potential risks and control improvements.
  • Support the development and enhancement of Financial Crime policies, procedures and risk management frameworks.
  • Assistance in producing high-quality management information, analysis, briefing papers and governance materials for stakeholders and committees.
  • Contribute to thematic reviews, deep dives and oversight activities to assess the effectiveness of Financial Crime controls.

To be successful as a Merchant Acquiring Financial Crime Policy & Advisory 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 but string payments experience considered.

  • Knowledge of AML, Sanctions, Anti-Bribery & Corruption and wider Financial Crime risk management principles.

  • Experience analysing complex information, identifying risks and providing clear recommendations.

  • Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.

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

  • Experience preparing management information, governance papers and risk reporting.

  • Strong analytical, problem-solving skills and use of data analytics desired.

Some other highly valued skills may include:

  • Ideally, experience working within a Second Line Financial Crime, Compliance or Risk team.

  • Knowledge around card scheme requirements, payment facilitators, marketplaces and higher-risk merchant sectors preferred.

  • Professional qualifications such as ICA, ACAMS or equivalent.

  • Use of Data Analytics to interpret large quantities of data

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 data-led expert oversight and check and challenge on business and compliance matters to evidence that the organisation is operating in a compliance with Barclays legal, regulatory and ethical responsibilities. 

Accountabilities

  • Identification and assessment of compliance risks through thorough reviews of business activities, changes, processes, testing and systems to.
  • Identification and investigation of potential market abuse, including but not limited to, Insider Dealing, Unlawful Disclosure, Market Manipulation or Anti-Competitive Conduct.
  • Conduct investigation of compliance risk events or breaches. Oversight and check and challenge of corrective actions and preventative measures to avoid future occurrences.
  • Implementation of compliance policies and procedures in line with regulatory requirements and ensuring that the bank’s internal policies are aligned with international standards, including jurisdictional requirements.
  • Collaboration with 1LOD, other relevant Compliance teams and legal, and relevant risk management functions to facilitate a comprehensive approach to compliance and risk management.
  • Identification, investigation and oversight of potential money laundering, terrorist financing or other financial crime.

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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