Banking and Investment Banking Recruitment
The UK & Ireland remain two of the Europe's leading financial centres, with London, alongside regional hubs such as Belfast, Dublin, Manchester and Edinburgh, playing a critical role in global banking and fintech. International banks and investment firms continue to expand their operations across these locations, driven by access to talent, evolving regulatory frameworks and the need for scalable, cost-effective operating models.
The UK & Ireland remain two of the Europe's leading financial centres, with London, alongside regional hubs such as Belfast, Dublin, Manchester and Edinburgh, playing a critical role in global banking and fintech. International banks and investment firms continue to expand their operations across these locations, driven by access to talent, evolving regulatory frameworks and the need for scalable, cost-effective operating models.
The roles being created are not traditional back-office roles. They are technical, compliance-aware and require people who understand the operational complexity of modern financial institutions operating in global markets.
Are you building an operations or KYC function and finding that the people who actually understand what you need are already working for your competitors? Or are you working in banking or investment operations and wondering where the roles worth taking actually are?
Finding Banking Talent That Can Operate From Day One
Banking and investment operations roles carry real risk if you get them wrong. A KYC analyst who does not understand screening requirements across jurisdictions. A middle office hire who cannot operate at the pace of a global front office. A retail banking manager who has not dealt with the regulatory complexity of the market they are stepping into. The brief at every level in banking is more demanding than the job title suggests.
Most of the people who meet that brief are already employed by banks and investment firms and are not applying for advertised roles. We reach them through direct search and a network built over 30 years across the UK and international banking markets, alongside relationships developed through our involvement with the wider fintech and financial services ecosystem.
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Investment Banking Operations and Middle Office
Investment banking operations roles across the UK and global hubs require professionals who understand the full trade lifecycle, settlements, reconciliations and the regulatory reporting frameworks that support them. These are not entry-level roles dressed up as operations positions. We know the difference and we recruit accordingly.
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KYC and Financial Crime
KYC and financial crime hiring continues to grow across the UK and international banking sector as firms strengthen compliance and onboarding functions. The combination of KYC technical knowledge, CDD process understanding and client-facing capability is harder to find than it looks on a job spec. We have placed into these roles across multiple markets and understand what good looks like in different regulatory environments.
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Retail Banking
Retail banking hiring has shifted significantly. Branch networks have contracted, while demand has increased for relationship managers, digital banking specialists and professionals in specialist lending. We recruit retail banking managers and relationship managers for firms that understand what high performance looks like in a modern, customer-focused banking environment.
Banking Roles We Recruit For
We recruit across investment banking operations, retail banking and fintech-aligned roles across the UK and international markets. We also recruit for roles available on request, beyond those listed
We recruit KYC Team Leaders who can manage onboarding and periodic review functions at scale, while maintaining strict regulatory standards. They combine technical KYC knowledge with leadership capability, ensuring teams deliver accurately under pressure.
We place KYC Analysts who understand CDD, EDD and screening requirements across jurisdictions. These professionals can assess risk properly, not just follow process, and are comfortable working in fast-paced onboarding environments.
We recruit Operations Analysts with a clear understanding of the trade lifecycle, from execution through to settlement. They can handle high volumes without losing accuracy and understand the downstream impact of errors.
We place Middle Office Analysts who act as the control function between front and back office. They are detail-driven, responsive and able to manage risk, P&L and trade validation in real time.
We recruit Trade Support Analysts who can support front office activity directly, resolving breaks and ensuring trades flow smoothly. They are proactive, technically capable and comfortable working under time pressure.
We place Settlements Analysts who understand the importance of accuracy and timing in trade settlement. They can manage reconciliations, investigate breaks and ensure transactions complete without operational risk.
We recruit Retail Banking Managers who can lead teams in a modern banking environment, balancing commercial performance with regulatory compliance. They understand customer needs alongside operational delivery.
We place Relationship Managers who can build and maintain high-value client relationships. They combine strong commercial awareness with a deep understanding of banking products and client requirements.
We recruit Financial Crime Analysts with expertise in AML, transaction monitoring and suspicious activity reporting. They can identify risk patterns and escalate appropriately within complex regulatory frameworks.
We place Client Onboarding Specialists who can manage the full onboarding journey, from documentation through to approval. They ensure a smooth client experience while maintaining strict compliance standards.
Why Leading Companies Choose MCS
We have been placing banking and investment operations professionals for over 30 years across the UK and international financial services market. Our network spans global banks, investment firms and fintech organisations, giving us access to talent and opportunities that are often not visible on the open market.
As the first recruitment agency in Northern Ireland to achieve Bronze Diversity Mark accreditation, we work with leading financial institutions on roles that demand both technical expertise and a commitment to inclusive hiring.
30+ years’ experience in banking and investment operations recruitment
Exclusive partnerships with leading banks, investment firms and financial institutions
Strong connections across UK and international financial services markets
Specialists in investment operations, KYC and retail banking recruitment
4.9-star Google rating
The People Behind Your Finance Hires
Name: Adam Macklin
Job Title: Head of Accountancy & Financial Services
Team: Financial Services
Years Experience: 15+
Adam leads our accountancy division, which focuses on recruiting for positions spanning both accountancy practice and industry & commerce markets. He oversees recruitment efforts for roles at both the Qualified & Transactional level, whether on a permanent or temporary basis. With a specialisation in Senior level appointments, Adam brings expertise in recruiting across all sectors within the Industry & Commerce market in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Name: Ruth Cox
Job Title: Recruitment Manager - Part Qualified & Transactional Finance I&C
Team: Accountancy and Finance
Years Experience: 6+
As a Recruitment Consultant for MCS Group, I specialise in the Part Qualified and Transactional Finance Space. 73% of job seekers say the process of looking for a job is one of the most stressful events in life. My role is to ensure professionals are furthering their careers to full potential without worrying about the process. Together we can dig deep to understand the best career fit by accessing current ability, personal aspirations, and motivations for the future. I take the stress out of the recruitment process by being there every step of the way and building genuine long-term relationships with professionals and clients.
Name: Brad Dempster
Job Title: Specialist Recruitment Consultant
Team: Accountancy Practice
Years Experience: 6+
Brad joined MCS Group in October 2024. In his role as a Specialist Recruitment Consultant, he works closely with accountancy practices and finance professionals across Belfast and the Greater Belfast area, supporting both clients and candidates through the recruitment process. His day-to-day focus is on understanding hiring needs within practice firms and matching them with talent at the right level, from early career through to senior leadership. Brad specialises in the accountancy practice market, covering areas including audit, tax, payroll, accounts, advisory and bookkeeping. He works across a wide range of roles, from trainee accountants and accounts technicians through to director and partner level appointments.
Adam Macklin
Head of Accountancy & Financial Services
Ruth Cox
Recruitment Manager - Part Qualified & Transactional Finance I&C
Brad Dempster
Specialist Recruitment Consultant
Real Stories, Real Results
Richard Ding
I cannot recommend MCS Group enough. Over the last three years, they have helped me multiple times, and the results have always been outstanding. They don’t just find "a job"—they consistently help me land the perfect role that fits my skill set exactly, complete with a salary increase every time.
Elaine McGilloway
I had an incredible experience working with Ruth Cox at MSC Group. She cared about finding me the right role and took the time to understand my skills and career goals. Her communication was outstanding, keeping me updated at every stage and making the entire process stress-free.
Key Questions, Answered
What banking roles does MCS Group recruit for?
We recruit across investment banking operations including KYC, trade support, middle office and settlements roles, as well as retail banking manager and relationship manager positions. We also recruit for fintech-adjacent banking roles across the UK and international markets.
Why are investment banking jobs growing across the UK?
Global banks and investment firms continue to expand their operations and compliance functions across the UK, supported by strong talent pools, regulatory infrastructure and connectivity to international markets. These roles require real technical capability across operations, KYC and middle office functions.
Do you recruit for KYC and financial crime roles in banking?
Yes. KYC and financial crime roles are a core focus. We have placed professionals into global firms building financial crime and client onboarding teams across multiple locations. These roles require specific technical knowledge, which we assess rigorously.
How long does it take to fill an investment banking operations role?
For investment banking operations and KYC roles, a focused search typically takes three to six weeks from brief to offer, depending on seniority and technical requirements. For urgent hires, we can move faster by leveraging our active candidate network.
How do you access talent not on the open market?
We use a combination of direct search, long-standing relationships and deep networks across the UK and global banking sector. Many of the candidates we place are not actively applying for roles but are open to the right opportunity when approached directly.
Ready to Hire or Explore Your Next Move in Banking?
Whether you’re building a high-performing operations, KYC or retail banking team, or looking for your next role in a global financial institution, we can give you a clear, informed view of the market and access to opportunities and talent you won’t find elsewhere.