Assistant Vice President - Financial Crime

Purpose:

Provide independent second-line oversight, credible challenge and assurance over the Company's Financial Crime Risk framework spanning Anti-Money Laundering / Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT), Sanctions & Screening, and Anti-Bribery & Corruption.

Ensure financial crime risk is identified, assessed, monitored and mitigated in line with the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), IRDAI AML-CFT Guidelines, and Board/Group risk appetite.

Act as a trusted advisor to the CRO on the Company's financial crime risk posture and control effectiveness.

Main Priorities:

- Strengthen second-line oversight and effective challenge across AML/CFT, Sanctions and ABC controls.

- Keep the Financial Crime Risk Framework and risk assessments current with PMLA/IRDAI regulatory change.

- Build a robust financial crime risk monitoring, assurance and MI capability.

- Drive timely, quality closure of regulatory and audit observations.

- Embed financial crime risk considerations into new product, partnership and technology initiatives.

Qualifications:

- Graduate in any discipline; Commerce, Law or Finance background preferred.

- Postgraduate qualification (MBA / CA / CS / LLB) an advantage.

- A relevant financial crime / AML certification (e.g. CAMS, ICA Diploma in AML, CFE or equivalent) is preferred but not mandatory.

Skills / Knowledge:

- Strong working knowledge of PML Act and Rules, IRDAI AML-CFT Guidelines, and FIU-IND reporting requirements.

- Understanding of global sanctions regimes (UN, OFAC, EU) and screening methodologies.

- Knowledge of Anti-Bribery & Corruption frameworks and their linkage to whistleblowing and conduct risk.

- Familiarity with life insurance products and processes, distribution models, and sector-specific money laundering and fraud typologies.

- Ability to interpret transaction monitoring, screening and CDD/EDD data to identify control gaps.

- Strong written and verbal communication skills for risk reporting to senior committees and the Board.

- Working knowledge of risk management frameworks risk appetite, RCSA and assurance methodologies.

- Proficient in MS Office/Excel; exposure to AML/sanctions screening or case-management systems is an advantage.

Experience:

- 8 - 10 years of relevant experience in Financial Crime Risk, AML-CFT, Compliance or Audit, with meaningful exposure to life insurance or the broader BFSI sector.

- Prior experience in a second-line risk/compliance oversight role, or strong first-line financial crime operations experience with a controls orientation.

- Experience engaging with regulators (IRDAI/FIU-IND) and presenting to senior management or Board committees is preferred.