AML Transaction Monitoring Manager

About Thunes

Thunes is a global, fast-growing, and innovative Fintech scale-up that uses technology to disrupt and transform the existing financial system.

We have a strong Mission: to create a better global payments network ; and a great Purpose: to connect the world to economic opportunities and address systemic inequality when it comes to financial services.

We are proud to power payments for the world’s fastest-growing businesses and work with some of the amazing global brands - from Gig Economy giants such as Uber and Deliveroo and Southeast Asia's super-app Grab, to global Fintech leaders such as PayPal and Remitly.

Our Products help to drastically simplify the Payment integration experience for our customers: with a single, simple connection, businesses and consumers can send payments to – and get paid in – every corner of the world. Instantly.

Thunes is headquartered in Singapore with regional offices in London, Barcelona, Paris, Beijing, Shanghai, San Francisco, Miami, Dubai, Nairobi, Manila and Hong Kong.

Context of the role

Based in Manila (Philippines) and reporting to the Head of Compliance Operations, the AML Transaction Monitoring Manager will manage all operational matters relating to the company’s global compliance FinCrime programme with a specific focus on transactions monitoring and sanctions/embargoes/PEP screening.

This includes management of a large team of AML/TF Analysts, taking a key role in enhancing the AML/TF transaction monitoring and sanctions screening capabilities, and driving continuous improvement initiatives that ensure the business is always one step ahead in the fight against FinCrime.

The position provides an exciting opportunity to work on an international stage, alongside household names, and join a rapidly growing FinTech company making a real impact on the lives of people in developed and emerging markets alike.

The role is eligible to the Hybrid Working Policy upon conditions.

The ideal candidate should be someone who has previously held senior payments’ compliance roles in organizations like:

• Payment Services Providers (incl. MTOs, acquiring PSPs)
• Banks or Financial Institutions
• Traditional banks active in the payments space
• Neo-banks (E.g. Monzo, Revolut and the likes)
• BaaS actors (Banking as a Service like Swan, Solaris, Treezor)

Key responsibilities

• Continuous development, improvement and calibration of the firm’s AML and CFT transaction monitoring and sanctions screening platforms to ensure that all ML/TF and sanctions risks associated with the firm’s activities are mitigated and configured on a risk-based approach. This role, among other things requires the successful candidate to be familiar with statistical and data modeling techniques (including but not limited to threshold analysis, above-the-line/below-the-line testing) to enhance the TM rules. 
• Management of an outsourced team of Level 1 AML Analysts and Level 2 AML Specialists. The team operates 24/7 and is responsible for handling the firm’s transaction monitoring and sanction screening capabilities
• Ensures effective communication of AML-CTF management information & key performance indicators to the Global Head of AML, the Global Compliance Director and all senior management committees on a continuous basis
• Utilizes technology, data structures and knowledge to identify relevant datasets and build KPI’s and reports to show key performance/risk indicators for the Transaction Monitoring & AML programs globally 
• Subject Matter Expert in collating and synthesizing data from different sources to identify red flags and ML/TF typologies in the Payments space
• Lead and manage firm-wide complex investigations, including preparation of reports and updates to senior management
• Actively participates in the FinCrime risk management system and its improvement, and internal control projects and initiatives
• Develop and manage an internal team responsible for the investigation and reporting of suspicious activity reports for all licensed Thunes entities
• Manages relationships with Thunes’ reg-tech providers and ensure we set out clear expectations to improve Thunes’ QoS and responsiveness in relation to RFIs
• Design and conduct ad-hoc training for the outsourced Level 1 and Level 2 analysts

What we are looking for

• Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant discipline (Business, Law, Finance etc.) and/ or a professional compliance qualification from an internationally recognized body (e.g. ICA, ACAMS etc)
• 7+ years of experience in a Transaction Monitoring leadership role with a focus on TM rules calibration and fine-tuning, and calibrating “fuzzy matching” algorithms within a third-party platform 
• 3+ years of people management experience within a compliance environment ideally managing both employees and outsource team members
• Previous FinTech and/or Payments Industry experience
• Demonstrated experience in developing SAR programs including building analytics, personnel capability and effective reporting tools for better detection and accuracy and lower error rates
• Advanced Excel capability is essential and SQL experience is highly beneficial
• Previous experience in utilizing AML/CTF-related software and technology (e.g. Actimize, ComplyAdvantage or MANTAS)
• High level of autonomy and proactivity in a collaborative international environment
• Ability to work well under pressure, different priorities, and tight deadlines