Senior Manager, AML- Financial Crimes

Upgrade is a fintech company that provides affordable and responsible credit, mobile banking, and payment products to everyday consumers. We were the fastest growing company in the Americas last year according to the Financial Times and Upgrade Card was the fastest growing credit card in America two years in a row. We have delivered over $33 billion in affordable and responsible credit to our 5.5M customers. The company is backed by some of the most prominent technology investors and was recently valued at $6.3B.

We have built an energizing, collaborative and inclusive culture where team members help each other, learn and innovate to move the company and its customers in the right direction, and own the outcome of their efforts.

Upgrade has been named a “Best Place to Work in the Bay Area” three years in a row, “Top Companies to work for in Arizona” and one of the "Best Engineering Department" awarded annually by Comparably. We've also received recognition for being a best company for Diversity, Women, Culture, and Veterans.

We are looking for new team members who get excited about designing and delivering new and better products to join a team of 1850 talented and dedicated professionals. Come work with us if you like to tackle big problems and make a meaningful difference in people's lives.

About the Role:

The position of Senior Manager, Financial Crimes - AML is a part of the Financial Crimes (FC) team, which reports up through the Risk & Compliance group. Financial Crimes is responsible for identifying, assessing, and mitigating the risks associated with money laundering, terrorist financing, and other unusual or illicit activities within Upgrade. 

What You’ll Do:

• Lead and manage FCs Investigations and Transaction Monitoring teams by providing guidance, training, and support to staff
• Ensure timely investigations and accurate filing of Unusual Activity Reports (UARs) to bank partners
• Develop and enhance transaction monitoring rules to detect and prevent financial crime across Upgrade’s various products
• Serve as a subject matter expert on AML-related matters and provide guidance to other internal stakeholders to ensure that coordination, escalation, and handoff processes are working effectively and efficiently
• Oversee the design and implementation of policies, procedures, and controls
• Work closely with various departments, including Operations, Legal, Product, and Engineering to ensure a coordinated approach on AML-related compliance efforts
• Serve as a liaison to the FC Testing team to enable effective independent testing of the AML Program
• Partner with external stakeholders, including banking partners and auditors, in responding to requests for information and other ad-hoc requests
• Support other strategic projects and tasks as assigned by management

What You Have

• Bachelor’s degree or higher CAMS, CGSS, and/or CFE certification
• 8+ years of experience in anti-financial crimes (AML investigations, Fraud Investigations, EDD, KYC, Sanctions, etc.)
• In-depth knowledge of fraud and AML typologies and current financial crime trends
• Understanding of financial products, including credit cards, lending products, and deposit accounts, delivered directly to consumers and via third-party channels
• Excellent research, analytical, and communication skills
• Experience in in meeting regulatory and business deadlines with a sense of urgency while maintaining high standards for quality and professionalism
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and Atlassian products
• Experience with LexisNexis research tools (AML Insight, Bridger) and/or ComplyAdvantage preferred, but not required
• Strong leadership, organizational, and time management skills
  
  

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.