AML Compliance Operations Manager

Our Purpose

Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we’re helping build a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.

Title and Summary

MTS Compliance Operations is looking for one (1) AML Compliance Operations Manager for Multi-Products to join our dynamic team and ensure the company and the organizations we support adhere and remain compliant to all relevant anti-money laundering and counter terrorist financing regulations.

In this role, you will leverage your expertise in managing teams engaged in Onboarding, Sanctions Screening and Transactions Monitoring processes to help eliminate or mitigate risks associated with establishing and maintaining relationships with sanctioned/prohibited parties or those with adverse media alerts. This includes operating/implementing as a leader sanctions screening and transactions monitoring programs to prevent sanctioned individuals/entities as well as those that have been internally identified/designated to be prohibited to establish or continue relationship with Mastercard.

The role will also involve analyzing parties/customers identified to be engaged in high-risk/suspicious activities, conducting thorough investigations, and escalating the same to appropriate internal teams. The ideal candidate is passionate about financial crime detection and investigation, agile, highly motivated, intellectually curious, analytical, and possesses an innovative mindset.

The Role

• Manage, train, and mentor a team of analysts and ensure productivity, adherence, and efficiency in handling onboarding, sanctions and transaction monitoring alerts and case management.
• Oversee the end-to-end onboarding, sanctions screening and transactions monitoring programs for the different products supported by the organization.
• Handle escalations and complex issues and investigations and ensuring timely and accurate resolution.
• Together with other leaders, maintain governance of relevant onboarding, screening and transaction monitoring systems, ensure data integrity relative to the programs being implemented and operated, and drive continuous process improvements.
• Ensure adherence to global sanctions requirements, Mastercard AML/CFT policies, and relevant local/jurisdictional rules and regulations.
• Prepare and deliver reports and escalate high-risk issues to senior management.
• Collaborate with business units, legal, and compliance teams to implement effective controls.

All about You:

• Extensive financial crime compliance experience, focused on sanctions and transactions monitoring.
• Deep knowledge of global sanctions regulations and risk-based approaches.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Analytical abilities to assess risks and develop compliance strategies.
• Experience with onboarding/sanctions screening and transaction monitoring tools and technologies.
• Using Mastercard tools and systems, verify identities of parties with whom Mastercard is establishing or has established a relationship as a customer/partner, customer service providers, or those using the Mastercard network under the relevant products and services (hereafter, collectively referred to as “Parties”), who might be engaged in high-risk activities, may be part or eventually be a part of sanctions and/or internal lists or may have been subject of or referenced in adverse media alerts potentially impacting the risk exposure of Mastercard;
• Determine potential sanctions/internal lists or adverse media alerts match through data/information analysis, historical transaction records, or collection of additional information;
• Perform research on Parties subject of screening or review to identify and analyze sanctions nexus;
• Work closely with other internal stakeholders in the process of obtaining additional KYC documentation of Parties being screened/investigated to ensure adherence to policies, procedures and regulatory obligations and when needed, liaise with customers/clients to gather KYC documentation/information;
• Liaise with the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) or such other unit/department within Mastercard, on investigative findings, as needed;
• Review and analyze system-generated alerts as well as escalated alerts from other stakeholders involving any onboarding Parties;
• Provide support to training initiatives;
• Maintain detailed records of compliance activities and investigations; and
• Prepare and present reports on key metrics to leadership/management.

All About You

• The ideal candidate for this Manager role is an experienced and strong leader, highly analytical and detail-oriented professional with a bachelor’s degree in business, finance, management or other related fields;
• Advanced level of experience in financial and other related services performing AML/CFT and/or financial crimes investigation-related roles or tasks;
• Sound leadership, interpersonal skills with an analytical mind in assessing risks and developing compliance strategies for the business;
• Ideally possessing 3 years of direct people leadership experience in managing a lean team in a fast-moving global environment.
• Excellent time-management skills with the ability to critically prioritize tasks effectively under pressure to meet strict deadlines.
• Technologically proficient and adept in using AML monitoring systems and related software and has excellent analytical and investigative skills;
• Highly analytical and self-motivated, adept at working on multiple and varied tasks, and capable of working collaboratively with employees from different levels of the organization;
• The ideal candidate should also excel in written and verbal communication, demonstrating strong problem-solving abilities and a keen eye for detail;
• Known for integrity and ability to maintain confidentiality, proactive, capable of working independently, and thrive in team environments;
• A comprehensive understanding of financial products and transaction processes, combined with a commitment to continuous learning to adopt quickly to evolving compliance, regulatory and business landscapes are ideal qualities for the candidate for this role; and

• Holder of certification(s) in Transactions Monitoring (CTMA), KYC (CKYC) or AML (CAMS) or their equivalent, are preferred. Basic knowledge of Payments and/or Settlement Systems will also be given preference.

Corporate Security Responsibility

All activities involving access to Mastercard assets, information, and networks comes with an inherent risk to the organization and, therefore, it is expected that every person working for, or on behalf of, Mastercard is responsible for information security and must:

• Abide by Mastercard’s security policies and practices;

• Ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the information being accessed;

• Report any suspected information security violation or breach, and

• Complete all periodic mandatory security trainings in accordance with Mastercard’s guidelines.