Executive Director, Anti Financial Crimes Programme, Group Compliance (Contract, Full-Time, 3 Years)

About the Department

The Compliance function is a strategic partner and a trusted business enabler to the Board and senior management. It is our responsibility to ensure that the Group continuously fulfils its regulatory obligations in today’s tight and dynamic regulatory landscape. To do that, we work closely with internal stakeholders to identify and to assess regulatory risks. This collaboration also includes developing practical solutions that integrate regulations into operational requirements as well as actively shaping and promoting stronger compliance culture and literacy in the Bank.

Job Responsibilities

Reporting to the Head of Anti-Financial Crime, the successful candidate will lead and coordinate efforts from GC-AFC on AML Uplift 2.0 across all workstreams. Among responsibilities are as follow:

• As the subject matter expert, provide thought leadership from a 2nd line perspective and lead a team of AFC personnel (through mainly matrix reporting), into strategic discussion with stakeholders from BU and SU including but not limited to (a) end to end controls framework to enhance sustainable and quality in execution, (b) digitalization and automation across end-to-end client lifecycle from an AML controls perspective, and (c) leveraging on greater sophistication to leapfrog industry practice.
• Ensure that AML Uplift 2.0 is executed in a holistic and comprehensive manner to address Board and Senior Management (BSM) ask for the same. Displaying executive and professional courage to call out “patching” approach or undue compromises due to the need to meet timeline or have such escalated for risk acceptance.
• Displays helicopter view while executing analytical prowess to decipher granular details including linkages, to steer from a GC-AFC perspective the various workstreams and interdependency.  Able to decipher impact of specific decision taken in one workstream and assess its impact on multiple other ongoing workstreams is key for the end-outcome of a cohesive and sensibly enhanced end to end AML/CFT control regime.
• Ability to delve into detail is critical given the many incidents that could render AML control ineffective. Expected to have the ability to discuss process mapping, rationalize system / process handshake, develop specific metrics, guide data field development, review identification of critical data element, etc.
• Accountable for aligning and coordinating the efforts of GC-AFC in AML Uplift 2.0 with the BAU team on an ongoing basis and provide critical update to Head Group AFC for the latter to discharge his responsibility as designed AML/CFT Compliance Officer.  Exercise astute professional judgement to highlight the following occurrence to Head Group AFC for further action.

“AML/CFT compliance function should alert the bank’s senior management or the board of directors if it believes that the employees or officers in the line departments are failing or have failed to adequately address ML/TF risks and concerns.”

• Strong executive presence in fronting GC-AFC with the Bank’s seniors in AFC Leadership Team, Project Steering Committee (PSC), Group Anti-Financial Crime Committee, etc.
• Lead GC-AFC team from an AML Uplift 2.0 perspective to work with the BAU GC team on Regulatory engagement strategy and execute to the benefit of the Bank.
• Track and update GC-AFC’s lens on the improvements required end-to-end and continuously map it against the programme to ensure that 2nd line’s risk concerns are addressed in adequate fashion.

Job Requirements

• At least 15 years of relevant work experience in AML/CFT/Sanction compliance function, with Senior Executive position appointments that require fronting Bank’s Board and Senior Management.
• Proven analytical capability to delve into details and strong helicopter view to be able to also elevate oneself from tactical details to strategic view.
• Having experience over the full suite of AML/CFT controls including but not limited to Advisory, Governance, Surveillance and Reporting, and having exposure to full suite of Business Segments including Private Banking, Retail Banking and Wholesale Banking would definitely be an advantage.
• A team player, strong interpersonal, communication and presentation skills; must have a go getter mindset.
• Good knowledge/understanding of banking and financial services laws & regulations, compliance best practices and understanding of financial products & systems.
• Ability to work effectively, under pressure, in a rapid changing environment, as well as autonomously and as an effective member of a dynamic team.
• Possesses good analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Able to work on multiple assignments.
• Self-driven, meticulous and able to operate expeditiously.