Financial Crime Operations, Assistant Vice President

Do you want your voice heard and your actions to count?

Discover your opportunity with Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG), one of the world’s leading financial groups. Across the globe, we’re 150,000 colleagues, striving to make a difference for every client, organization, and community we serve. We stand for our values, building long-term relationships, serving society, and fostering shared and sustainable growth for a better world.

With a vision to be the world’s most trusted financial group, it’s part of our culture to put people first, listen to new and diverse ideas and collaborate toward greater innovation, speed and agility. This means investing in talent, technologies, and tools that empower you to own your career.

Join MUFG, where being inspired is expected and making a meaningful impact is rewarded.

Would you like to work for one of the world's largest banks in an exciting, dynamic and international environment? 

We are currently recruiting for an Assistant Vice President, Financial Crime Operations for our German Financial Crime team within the Compliance Division in Düsseldorf.

About MUFG Bank (Europe) N.V.

MUFG Bank (Europe) N.V. (MBE) is a fully-owned subsidiary of MUFG Bank, headquartered in Amsterdam. With offices throughout Europe, our teams provide clients with comprehensive financing solutions spanning Coverage & Structured Finance, Capital Markets and Transaction Banking, using MUFG’s global reach to provide bespoke solutions.

Please visit our website for more information – https://www.mufgemea.com/mbe

Overview of the Department

MUFG is committed to maintaining a strong and effective financial crime compliance program across its global operations. Led by the Global Financial Crime Division in New York, USA, regional Financial Crime Offices oversee local implementation and risk management.

The Financial Crime Office of MUFG Bank (Europe) N.V. (MBE) is responsible for safeguarding customer assets and preventing the bank from being used for financial crime. Acting as the second line of defense, the function provides oversight of AML, CTF, Sanctions, and Anti-Bribery and Corruption risks through a comprehensive compliance framework designed to detect, prevent, and mitigate financial crime in line with regulatory requirements and the bank’s risk appetite.

Working across MBE locations and as part of MUFG’s global Compliance organization, the team collaborates closely with colleagues across regions and functions to drive consistency, efficiency, excellence and success.

Your impact at MUFG

The German Financial Crime team within the Compliance Division – Financial Crime of MUFG Bank (Europe) N.V. (“MBE”) contributes to the effective oversight and management of financial crime risks across the organization. The position reports directly to the Head of Financial Crime Germany.

Key responsibilities:

• Conducting (as a second line of defense) the review of high-risk Know Your Customer (KYC) cases and escalated Customer Due Diligence (CDD) files, ensuring compliance with applicable financial crime requirements.
• Handling name screening alerts, with particular focus on AML, Adverse Media, Sanctions and Politically Exposed Persons (PEP).
• Reviewing escalated transaction monitoring alerts, performing detailed investigations, engaging with the First Line of Defense, and documenting clear rationales for decisions, including closure or escalation and preparation of initial Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) drafts.
• Assessing escalated Trade Finance cases from a financial crime perspective (including Sanctions, AML, and Adverse Media risks), with clear documentation of decision-making, including closure or further escalation.
• Supporting the review and enhancement of existing operating manuals and procedures in light of evolving regulatory requirements and internal standards.
• Taking a proactive approach and ownership beyond clearly defined tasks, actively driving topics forward, including in complex cases requiring in-depth analysis.
• Collaborating closely with Financial Crime colleagues across MBE to enhance and streamline processes, and engaging with regional teams in London.
• Supporting financial crime-related projects and initiatives.

In order to be successful in the role, you will need the following:

• A minimum of 3 years’ experience within the banking industry, gained in KYC - Customer Due Diligence (CDD), Financial Crime Operations (e.g. alert handling for transaction monitoring, name screening, etc.)
• Experience within a Financial Crime Compliance function is preferred.
• University degree in Finance, Economics, Law, or a related discipline; alternatively, completion of a recognized banking apprenticeship supplemented by additional relevant qualifications to an equivalent standard.
• Demonstrates a high degree of personal ownership and independence, with a proactive approach to problem-solving and a strong “can-do” mindset.
• Strongly results-driven, with the ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to handle sensitive / confidential information appropriately.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to form sound judgements.
• Flexible and adaptable working style, with the ability to respond effectively to changing priorities.
• Strong verbal and written communication in English and German.

Personal requirements:

Integrity and Responsibility

• Balance Risk with Opportunity
• Customer Focus
• Demonstrate Global Perspective

Professionalism and Teamwork

• Drive For Results
• Collaborate and Build Partnerships
• Communicate Effectively and Professionally

Challenge Ourselves To Grow

• Influence and Inspire Others
• Lead Change & Seek Continuous Improvement
• Think Strategically
• Manage and Develop Talent

What do we have to offer:

We offer you a role in one of the largest banks of the world in a growing and international environment. You have various opportunities to develop yourself and we will support you with that by offering various training and development possibilities.

• We take into account your home situation and your ambitions and help you to balance work and private life.
• Monthly team events.
• To work in an ambitious, international environment with colleagues from different countries and cultures, who strive for the best.

Besides that we will offer you:

• Gross salary based on experience and consistent with the market including bonus payment 
• Contribution to capital forming benefits (“Vermögenswirksame Leistungen”) 
• Sponsorship of a job ticket to fifty percent 
• Lunch allowance 
• Flextime to support your personal work-life-balance (“Gleitzeit”) 
• Further training and educational programs, e.g. language courses 
• Corporate benefits 
• To work in an ambitious, international environment with colleagues from different countries and cultures, who strive for the best 

Additional information:

Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.

The role is based in Düsseldorf. All candidates need to be willing to relocate to Düsseldorf. Internal employees will be supported in case of relocation.

We are open to considering flexible working requests in line with organisational requirements.

MUFG is committed to embracing diversity and building an inclusive culture where all employees are valued, respected and their opinions count. We support the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion in recruitment and employment, and oppose all forms of discrimination on the grounds of age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy and maternity, race, gender reassignment, religion or belief and marriage or civil partnership.

We make our recruitment decisions in a non-discriminatory manner in accordance with our commitment to identifying the right skills for the right role and our obligations under the law.