Financial Crime Operations Lead, US

About the Team

At Aspire, we are committed to empowering our customers throughout their journey with us. Our Operations Team ensures customers can operate seamlessly on our platform, and guarantee the best customer experience possible.

About the Role

Reporting to the Director of AML Operations, the FinCrime Operations Lead is an individual contributor role responsible to lead operational performance in the US market. You will be responsible for driving excellence across our 1LoD operations: Know Your Business (KYB/C), Transaction Monitoring (TM), and Quality Assurance (QA). You will work closely with Team Leads, Analysts, and cross-functionally to deliver excellent 1LoD operations in the US market and ensure success metrics are met.

Key Responsibilities:

• Improve operational processes and systems:

  • Refine existing, and define new, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for KYB, Transaction Monitoring, and QA teams to ensure consistent, efficient, and compliant execution of operations in the US
  • Handle market escalations that could not be solved by the L1/L2 operational teams
  • Support our global expansion by ensuring US operational systems and processes scale efficiently and compliantly in new geographies

• Collaborate cross-functionally:

  • Work cross-functionally with Compliance, Product, Tech, and other internal teams to drive continuous improvement in systems and operations
  • Act as a bridge between FinCrime Ops teams and the Operations Transformation function, contributing to large-scale projects and major change initiatives - e.g. entering new markets, embedding AI into our operations

• Performance Management:

  • Oversee FinCrime Ops performance of your market
  • Work closely with the MLRO, US Team Leads, group AML Ops Team Leads, Product teams, and external partners when needed to ensure strong FinCrime Ops performance
  • Collaborate with Leads to ensure teams meet or exceed key success metrics
  • Analyze operational data to identify trends, areas for improvement, and implement data-driven systems and process enhancements

Contribute to wider FinCrime Operations strategy and execution: Support the Director of AML Operations and Team Leads with longer-term strategic planning and execution of major change initiatives

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years experience in:

  • AML, Compliance, or Operations roles in a FinTech or regulated financial institution
  • Other relevant roles in complex and fast-paced environments - e.g. Consulting, Strategy & Execution, Change Management

• Knowledge:

  • Strong understanding of KYB, Fraud, Transaction Monitoring, and QA functions
  • Strong knowledge of AML regulations and FATF recommendations
  • Experience supporting global operations and/or scaling processes in multiple markets is a plus
  • Relevant certifications e.g. CAMS (Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist) are preferred
  • Proficiency with relevant AML vendors (e.g. Onfido, LexisNexis, AI-native vendors) or data software (e.g. Tableau, PowerBI)

• Skills:

  • Excellent problem-solving skills, the ability to think first principles, and break complex and ambiguous issues down into structured, actionable solutions
  • Strong track record of delivering change programs in complex, fast-paced environments
  • Excellent analytical skills, including the ability to leverage data to drive insight and improvement
  • Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to explain complex concepts simply - to different audiences

The annual US base salary range for this role is $100,000 - $160,000. This salary range may cover a number of levels at Aspire and will be narrowed during the interview process based on a number of factors, including the candidate’s experience, qualifications, performance in the interview process and final location.