Team Leader - Client Onboarding Team

The Team Leader leads the establishment and ongoing delivery of the Client Onboarding function within Front Office Advisory — driving the onboarding operating model, embedding consistent processes, and building a high-performing team to support the onboarding of new clients and accounts.

As a first line of defence leader, the role is accountable for strong KYC, AML/CTF and customer due diligence outcomes, and for effective collaboration between Advisers, Associates, Operations and Financial Crime to support high-quality client submissions. The Team Leader leads a team of Client Onboarding Associates, developing capability and embedding a culture of quality, accountability and continuous improvement.

This role reports to the National Associate Manager.

Please note this is a fixed term contract.

Function Leadership and Team Build

• Lead the establishment and ongoing development of the Client Onboarding function within Front Office Advisory.
• Define and embed operating processes, workflows and service standards for onboarding delivery.
• Build, lead and develop a team of Client Onboarding Associates, including recruitment as the function grows.
• Set clear expectations, ways of working and performance standards across the team.

Risk, Compliance and Onboarding Execution

• Oversee preparation, coordination and validation of onboarding documentation, ensuring consistent execution of KYC, AML/CTF, customer due diligence and enhanced due diligence requirements.
• Oversee the quality and completeness of client identification, verification, beneficial ownership, control structure, source of wealth/funds information, and compliance with FATCA/CRS and other regulatory requirements.
• Support identification and escalation of higher-risk clients, complex structures, adverse media, sanctions or PEP matters per policy and procedure.
• Work with Financial Crime and Operations to resolve KYC/AML queries, support timely risk-based onboarding decisions, and promote a strong first line of defence culture.

Stakeholder Engagement and Continuous Improvement

• Act as key liaison between Front Office Advisory, Operations and Financial Crime, partnering with Advisers and Associates to improve onboarding quality and efficiency.
• Drive continuous improvement in onboarding processes and champion technology, automation and AI-enabled tools.
• Build onboarding capability through coaching, training and knowledge sharing.

Team Management and Delivery Oversight

• Provide day-to-day leadership, coaching and support to the team; oversee workload allocation, prioritisation and workflow management.
• Monitor performance, quality and turnaround times, and support escalation of complex cases.
• Drive accountability for first-time-right onboarding outcomes.

Success in this role means: a scalable Client Onboarding function embedded within Front Office Advisory; consistent, compliant and efficient onboarding outcomes with strong first line of defence oversight; improved onboarding speed and reduced rework; a high-performing, well-supported Associate team; stronger collaboration across Front Office, Operations and Financial Crime; and greater use of technology and AI to improve ways of working.