Head of AML Governance & Issues Management
San Francisco Bay Area (Hybrid)

About the Company
We are partnering 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
Our client is seeking a Head of AML Governance & Issue Management to join its growing U.S. compliance team. This role will play a critical function in designing, implementing, and overseeing AML governance processes across multiple regions. It is a global-facing position that will collaborate with stakeholders in the US, APAC, and EMEA.

Initially, this will be an individual contributor role with 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 willing to work in a hybrid capacity. Payments industry experience is a non-negotiable requirement.
 

Key Responsibilities

• Design, establish, and maintain AML governance and issue management frameworks to support the company’s global financial crime compliance program.
• Develop and manage processes for identifying, escalating, tracking, and remediating AML-related issues across business lines and regions.
• Partner with engineering and product teams to design BRDs and ensure AML systems and monitoring tools are fit-for-purpose.
• Act as a subject matter expert on AML regulatory expectations in the US, while integrating global best practices.
• Support senior compliance leadership with governance reporting, metrics, and board/committee presentations.
• Provide hands-on guidance to AML operations and KYC teams on process design and issue management.
• Collaborate with global stakeholders to ensure consistency in AML governance standards across multiple jurisdictions.
• Prepare the organization for regulatory exams, audits, and internal reviews by ensuring governance documentation and issue remediation plans are robust and auditable.
• Drive continuous improvement of AML governance processes to meet both U.S. and global regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of AML, BSA/Financial Crimes, or Compliance experience within the payments industry (required).
• Strong background in governance, issue management, and regulatory remediation.
• Demonstrated ability to partner with product, engineering, and business stakeholders in a high-growth fintech or payments environment.
• Experience working in multinational organizations and managing cross-border compliance frameworks.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence stakeholders across different functions and geographies.
• Comfortable operating as an individual contributor initially, with the ability to later build and lead a team as U.S. operations scale.
• Must be located in the San Francisco Bay Area and able to work in a hybrid office model.