Head of Controls and Quality Assurance

Step into a pivotal leadership role where you shape how Financial Crime Compliance (FCC) operates at its core. As Head of Controls & Quality Assurance FCC, you will drive robust control oversight, strengthen compliance frameworks, and lead transformation initiatives that safeguard the organization.

Acting as a trusted partner to senior stakeholders, auditors, and regulators, you’ll sit at the heart of decision-making—ensuring risks are effectively managed while championing a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.

What would your role be?

• Lead and develop the Controls & QA team, setting clear objectives and fostering a strong control culture.

• Oversee the FCC control framework, ensuring controls are effective, tested, and continuously improved.

• Monitor control performance, identify risks/gaps, and drive remediation and resilience enhancements.

• Manage internal/external audits, including planning, findings, and timely closure of actions.

• Act as main contact for regulatory engagements, ensuring alignment with expectations and managing responses.

• Establish MI frameworks with clear KPIs/KRIs and deliver actionable insights to senior management.

• Oversee Quality Assurance to assess control effectiveness and ensure compliance with regulations.

• Lead incident management processes, including escalation, root cause analysis, and preventive actions.

• Drive training initiatives to strengthen risk, compliance, and control awareness across the organization.

• Lead transformation and automation of FCC processes (e.g., AML, sanctions, transaction monitoring).

What are we looking for?

• Proven leadership experience within Financial Crime Compliance, Controls, QA, or Risk Management.

• Strong expertise in FCC frameworks (e.g., AML, sanctions, transaction monitoring) and regulatory environments.

• Solid understanding of control design, testing, and continuous improvement practices.

• Experience managing internal/external audits and regulatory interactions.

• Track record of building and leading high-performing teams and fostering a strong risk & control culture.

• Strong analytical mindset with experience in MI reporting, KPIs/KRIs, and data-driven decision-making.

• Experience in transformation, process optimization, and automation initiatives.

• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at senior levels.

• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to manage complex risks and incidents.

• Degree in Finance, Law, Business, or related field; relevant certifications (e.g., CAMS, ICA) are a plus.

• Affinity for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and a willingness to embrace AI-enabled tools and ways of working

What do we offer?

• Top Zurich location with collaboration spaces (including rooftop terraces) and free lunch.

• Friendly, diverse team in an open-office space.

• All the latest technology to help you excel and advance.

• Agile environment in how we think, the way we work and our trust for each other.

• Flat hierarchy with collaboration at all levels.

• Campus feeling and a collaborative spirit.

We are looking for talented people, not just a CV that ticks all the boxes. Even if you do not have absolutely everything we have asked for, if this role sounds like a good fit for you, we encourage you to apply.

Why Vontobel?

At Vontobel, you are building better futures for our clients and society, as well as for yourself. As a family-owned and publicly listed company with over 2,000 professionals based in 28 locations globally and headquartered in Zurich, we’re committed to long-term thinking and sustainability.

Our diverse team values unique perspectives, and we hire individuals determined to deliver in a dynamic and changing world. Even if you don’t meet all the criteria, we encourage you to apply if you’re enthusiastic about the role.

Do you want to be Vontobel?

Thank you for applying to Vontobel. We will carefully review your application and will respond to you in a timely manner.

At Vontobel, we are an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability or gender identity.

We value the many voices within our teams and are committed to creating an environment where everyone who wants to be part of our performance culture can be themselves. It is based on mutual respect and zero tolerance for any form of discrimination.

If you have any questions you can contact us through our contact form.