Grant Thornton UK
CDD Onboarding Lead
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CDD Onboarding Lead
Grant Thornton
At Grant Thornton, we do things differently—looking to the future, driving ambitious growth, and pioneering positive change in our industry. We provide audit, tax, and advisory services, empowering clients through strategic insight, curiosity, and genuine partnership. We empower our people with real opportunity, an inclusive culture, and work-life balance. We’re a true alternative.
With over 5,000 people in the UK and a presence in 150 global markets, we’re on an ambitious journey from great to exceptional. We need the best people to help us achieve our potential—redefining what our industry looks like and what you want from your career.
Job Title
Senior Manager – CDD Onboarding Lead
About the Role
Grant Thornton UK LLP is part of a global network of independent audit, tax, and advisory firms, made up of 58,000 people in over 135 countries. We’re a team of independent thinkers who prioritise quality, inclusion, and integrity.
Our Client Due Diligence (CDD) practice is central to our Financial Crime Team, supporting clients with onboarding, remediation, and ongoing compliance. We’re investing in leadership capability to deliver exceptional outcomes for both our clients and our people.
Role Description
Every day, our teams help businesses and communities do what is right while achieving their goals.
As Senior Manager – CDD Onboarding Lead, within our Financial Crime & Compliance (FCC) practice, you will:
- Take full ownership of CDD onboarding engagements, leading a large team of analysts to deliver high-quality client due diligence reviews.
- Build and develop a high-performing team with a strong commitment to quality assurance, growth, and a ‘right-first-time’ mindset.
- Day-to-day tasks include:
- Leading and managing the entire CDD onboarding process, ensuring regulatory compliance (KYC/AML), quality, consistency, and timeliness across engagements.
- Acting as the primary contact for senior stakeholders, providing confident updates on progress, risks, and issues.
- Mentoring and developing a team of CDD analysts, offering structured feedback and ongoing support.
- Oversight of governance, CDD frameworks, procedures, and quality controls, ensuring regulatory alignment and consistency.
- Supporting the team in identifying and escalating high-risk cases (e.g., Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs), sanctioned entities, adverse media flags, and complex ownership structures). Provide clear guidance for risk-based decision-making.
- Upskilling junior colleagues, sharing technical expertise and fostering capability growth within the team.
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Knowing You’re Right for Us
To succeed in this role, you’ll bring differential expertise and leadership right from the start:
Essential Requirements
- Significant, demonstrable experience in CDD/KYC onboarding within professional or financial services, with a track record of leading large teams and complex engagements.
- A strong belief in quality, team development, and transparent leadership.
Preferred Skills (but not essential)
- Proven leadership of large CDD/KYC onboarding teams (particularly within professional services or financial services).
- Experience managing global cross-location teams in pressured environments, with a focus on quality, performance, and continuous improvement.
- Expertise in building or scaling CDD/KYC platforms, case management tools, or operating models.
- High-volume CDD engagement experience, particularly with corporate onboarding challenges (e.g., complex ownership structures, multi-jurisdictional entities, escalated risk profiles).
- Ability to manage competing priorities effectively, making confident decisions under pressure.
- Deep technical knowledge of AML/KYC regulatory frameworks (e.g., sanctions, PEP screening, adverse media analysis).
- Strong stakeholder management skills, comfortable engaging with Partners and Directors.
- Relevant professional qualifications (e.g., ICA, ACAMS, CISI) are a plus but not mandatory.
- Strong analytical and risk assessment abilities, with experience navigating corporate structures and ownership chains.
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Knowing We’re Right for You
At Grant Thornton, we thrive on inclusivity, innovation, and authenticity. We value what makes our people unique, ensuring everyone can perform at their best.
Our culture is open, accessible, and supportive; we listen to you, your aspirations, and qualities—whether in work or life. We provide:
- Flexible working options to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
- Family-friendly policies and ** 행동 leave benefits**.
- Real freedom to pursue personal and professional passions.
Beyond your core responsibilities, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute meaningfully—whether through secondments, charity work, or supporting entrepreneurships in the developing world. We foster a values-driven approach grounded in purpose, curiosity, and kindness.
We are looking for ambitious, ethical individuals who want to: ✔ Bring fresh ideas and ideas लिये things forward. ✔ Do what’s right—for the firm, clients, colleagues, and yourself.
This is work done with integrity. If this resonates with you, we’d love to hear from you.
Visit Grant Thornton’s website here to explore our full range of benefits and leave policies.
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