Associate Director, Financial Crime (Digital Assets)
Job Summary
As Associate Director, you will lead and oversee complex financial crime engagements focused on digital assets, working with senior client stakeholders across regulated and transitioning firms. You’ll advise on financial crime risk, regulatory expectations, control design, and operating model effectiveness for crypto-related activities.
This role requires strong crypto subject matter expertise, regulatory awareness, and the ability to translate complex risks into clear, pragmatic recommendations. It requires a strong understanding of financial crime regulations in the UK, EU (preferable) and other countries, with solid experience in a related role from either another consultancy or from working in internal roles at a financial institution.
About FINTRAIL
FINTRAIL is a global financial crime and regulatory compliance consultancy supporting the FinTech, banking and regulated financial services sectors, ensuring they meet regulatory expectations and can effectively combat financial crime risks, enabling them to thrive. This is achieved through the provision of risk-based consultancy and specialist services that put our clients at the centre of everything we do.
As well as our consultancy business, FINTRAIL also runs the FinTech FinCrime Exchange (FFE), a global network that connects the FinTech community in the fight against financial crime by providing opportunities to share insight and best practice.
FINTRAIL is part of the Cosegic group, a market-leading compliance consultancy setting the standard for regulatory excellence in the UK and beyond. Being part of the group strengthens FINTRAIL’s ability to support clients across the full regulatory lifecycle, combining its deep financial crime expertise with broader regulatory compliance and technological capabilities. For both our people and our clients, this means greater scale, increased investment in innovation, and enhanced opportunities to collaborate with experts across a wider range of regulatory disciplines.
The Role
We’re looking for a strong digital assets specialist to deliver high-impact consulting engagements, shape client strategy, and drive innovation.
Project Delivery
Lead and support on financial crime advisory engagements for clients operating in or exposed to digital assets and digital assets.
Conduct fraud risk assessments covering key fraud typologies including scams, APP fraud, card fraud, account takeover, mule activity, and emerging threats.
Advise firms on AML, sanctions, and fraud risks associated with digital asset activities, including exchanges, custody, payments, and on/off-ramp services.
Conduct and oversee crypto-specific financial crime risk assessments, gap analyses, and control reviews.
Support clients in designing and enhancing financial crime frameworks, policies, governance, and operating models for digital asset businesses.
Advise on regulatory expectations and readiness for digital asset activities, including responding to supervisory feedback, authorisation requirements, or remediation activity.
Support clients responding to regulatory change, supervisory feedback, audits, or enforcement-related remediation activity.
Translate complex fraud risks and regulatory expectations into clear, actionable recommendations for senior stakeholders.
Business Development and Lead Generation
Maintain and develop a personal profile in the industry as an anti-financial crime consultant by attending, speaking and engaging at appropriate industry events, as well as writing content pieces and posting on social media platforms, in order to promote and grow FINTRAIL’s presence.
Expand FINTRAIL’s business by developing a strong network of industry contacts, pitching for new business, writing or quality-assuring sharp proposals and acquiring clients.
Personal and Team Development
Develop and support other FINTRAIL team members through appropriate training, guidance and practical direction setting.
Actively contribute to knowledge-sharing initiatives and support self-learning throughout the team.
Continue to develop professionally through the completion of relevant training and self-study.
Creativity and Innovation Agenda
Support the development and execution of a coherent business strategy by contributing to shaping elements of the strategy plan and identifying new, innovative revenue opportunities.
Develop and improve FINTRAIL’s policies, procedures and processes around internal and external tasks.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and Wellness
Continue to foster the respectful, open and transparent culture at FINTRAIL through clear communication and management.
Participate and contribute to DEI initiatives.
Relevant Skills and Experience
Essential
5+ years’ experience in managing financial crime for digital assets within a financial institution (bank, FinTech, other regulated entity) or working in a digital assets role for a financial crime-focused consultancy team.
Deep understanding of digital assets business models, products, and services, and their associated financial crime risks.
Strong knowledge of UK regulatory expectations for digital assets financial crime controls and risk management.
Ability to work independently with clients, manage project workstreams, and deliver quality outcomes.
Excellent communication skills — able to explain technical insights to business stakeholders.
Someone with a challenger mindset, keen to think creatively and challenge industry norms to identify more efficient and effective ways to fight financial crime alongside operational effectiveness.
Someone that is adaptable and enjoys the varied nature of consultancy work / happy juggling multiple client assignments and internal projects at the same time.
Desirable
Consultancy experience (business development, client relationship management, good regional network of contacts).
Exposure to regulatory remediation, skilled person reviews, or supervisory-driven change.
Broader experience with crypto regulatory work.
Formal industry qualifications (e.g. ACAMS, ICA).
Experience contributing to external thought leadership or industry engagement.
What We Offer
Competitive salary and benefits.
Chance to develop and grow professionally through the varied nature of the role and wide range of projects, as well as formal training and development.
A fast-paced environment with a relatively flat structure and a speak-up culture where your voice will be heard and you will have the opportunity to pitch in and help shape the future growth and direction of the company.
An inclusive environment which actively promotes diversity and inclusion both internally and within the wider financial crime industry.
FINTRAIL is an equal opportunities employer, we celebrate, encourage and support diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment. We do not tolerate discrimination or harassment of any kind. All employment decisions at FINTRAIL are based on business needs, job requirements, competence and merit. We will not discriminate on the basis of gender, age, ethnic origin, religious belief, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other individual characteristic which may unfairly affect a person’s opportunities.