Sanction Payment Screening - Engagement Manager

Role: AML - Sanction Payment Screening Operating Lead

Location: Pune, Maharashtra

Job Description

Responsibilities for Operating Lead

An experienced Operations Lead with extensive AML and Sanctions Payment screening expertise, proven people leadership capabilities, strong regulatory knowledge, and a track record of driving operational performance, quality, and compliance within financial crime operations.

• Provide operational oversight of the Sanctions Payment Screening team, ensuring efficient execution of screening activities, escalation management, and compliance with established policies and procedures.
• Manage a team of approximately 70-80 analysts, SMEs & Process Leads, providing day-to-day guidance, coaching, and performance feedback.
• Lead and monitor operational performance to ensure achievement of SLAs, KPIs, quality benchmarks, and regulatory standards, while proactively identifying risks, addressing performance gaps, and implementing process improvements.
• Lead resource planning, workload balance, and productivity initiatives to maximize operational efficiency, optimize team performance, and ensure delivery against business objectives.
• Act as a subject matter resource on AML policies and procedures for the team specific to the NA, EU or APAC jurisdictions being supported and get into the details of dispositioning alerts as and when needed with client QA / QC teams.
• Provide strategic guidance and coaching to Team Leads and SMEs on complex AML (specifically Payment Screening) risk assessments, ensuring consistent application of regulatory requirements, robust investigative practices, accurate alert decision making and high-quality risk assessment recommendation(s)
• Oversee the documentation, quality review, and reporting of AML and sanctions investigations, ensuring case files are completed accurately with required supporting documentation and maintained in accordance with global policies, procedures, regulatory requirements, and internal controls.

Qualifications

• University graduate/postgraduate & CAMS /any industry recognized AML certification will be a plus
• Exceptionally fluent in English (spoken and written)
• Minimum 10 years related banking, compliance, audit experience with a minimum of 7 years specific experience leading and managing teams hands on that are involved in AML related screening process as per relevant AML legislations across NA, EU & APAC jurisdictions
• Comprehensive knowledge & understanding of regulatory regimes such as AMLD, MiFID, FATCA & EMIR
• Maintain a working knowledge of anti-money laundering related requirements including BSA, USA Patriot Act, OFAC, SEC, FINRA, and other applicable US, UK, EMEA and International regulations
• Actively engage in the identification of potential process shortcomings or required enhancements.

Technical & Behavioral Competencies

• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint
• Ability to work in a high-pressure environment with strict tight deadlines
• Strong research problem solving and analytical skills
• Well-developed interpersonal, problem-solving, and influencing skills
• Exhibit high willingness to collaborate with all levels of the organization
• Familiarity with platforms & tools like Fircosoft, Factiva, Dow Jones Risk, Pega, Fenergo, Actimize, World Check, Lexis Nexis - Bridger and RDC