Head of AML Program Design
San Francisco Bay Area (Hybrid)
 

About the Company
We are partnered with a leading global fintech that is entering the US market for the first time. With a massive international presence and deep expertise in digital payments, remittances, and financial services, the firm is now building its US operations to align with regulatory expectations while maintaining the speed and innovation that have made it a global leader.
 

About the Role
The company is seeking a Head of AML Program Design to spearhead the creation of its US financial crime program. This individual will focus on building and optimizing the KYC (Know Your Customer) and Transaction Monitoring (TM) frameworks, ensuring they meet U.S. regulatory standards while integrating with the firm’s global platforms.
 

This role is global in scope, requiring collaboration with stakeholders across the US, APAC, and EMEA. It will start as an individual contributor position, offering the opportunity to scale and build as the U.S. business grows. The successful candidate must be based in the San Francisco Bay Area and work in a hybrid capacity. Payments industry experience is a non-negotiable requirement.
 

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and implementation of the firm’s AML program in the U.S., with a focus on KYC onboarding frameworks and transaction monitoring models.
• Partner with product, data, and engineering teams to develop requirements (BRDs) for systems and tools supporting AML processes.
• Define risk-based methodologies for customer due diligence, enhanced due diligence, and ongoing monitoring.
• Design detection scenarios, thresholds, and typologies to effectively identify suspicious activity in line with U.S. and global requirements.
• Ensure scalability of KYC and TM programs to support rapid growth across multiple products and geographies.
• Collaborate with global compliance stakeholders to harmonize program standards while adapting to U.S. regulatory expectations.
• Provide subject matter expertise during regulatory exams, audits, and independent reviews.
• Develop documentation, policies, and procedures that support the ongoing enhancement of the AML program.
• Act as a strategic advisor to senior leadership on AML program design best practices.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of AML, BSA/Financial Crimes, or Compliance experience within the payments industry (required).
• Deep subject matter expertise in KYC program design and transaction monitoring frameworks.
• Proven ability to translate regulatory requirements into practical processes, policies, and systems.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams (product, engineering, data science) in fintech or payments environments.
• Background in multinational organizations and comfort managing global program design.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to influence both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Comfortable starting as an individual contributor with the ability to scale into leadership as the U.S. business expands.
• Must be located in the San Francisco Bay Area and able to work in a hybrid office model.