Anti-Money Laundering Manager

What You’ll Do

Lead the AML/CFT Programme

• Architect and Maintain: Own the end-to-end AML/CFT Compliance Programme, ensuring all policies and internal controls remain robust and fully aligned with current regulations.
• Dynamic Risk Management: Ensure institutional risk assessments accurately reflect the evolving landscape of our products, customer base, and delivery channels.
• Strategic Advisory: Act as a subject matter expert for senior leadership, providing guidance on emerging risks and industry best practices tailored to digital wealth platforms.

Shape Customer Due Diligence (CDD) & Monitoring

• Scalable Frameworks: Design and oversee CDD, ECDD, and ongoing monitoring processes built to scale alongside the company’s growth.
• High-Level Decision Making: Serve as the final escalation and approval point for high-risk customer profiles and complex cases.
• Cross-Functional Integration: Partner with Product and Engineering teams to seamlessly embed AML/CFT controls into automated onboarding and monitoring workflows.

Drive Account Monitoring & Investigations

• Rule Optimization: Strategically manage and calibrate transaction monitoring rules and thresholds to maximize detection effectiveness.
• Vigilant Oversight: Lead the review of alerts and investigations into unusual activity, ensuring swift and accurate escalation where necessary.
• Regulatory Filings: Manage the preparation and submission of Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) while maintaining impeccable record-keeping standards.

Stakeholder Engagement & Reporting

• Regulatory Liaison: Act as the primary point of contact for internal teams, external auditors, and regulatory bodies, including the FMA.
• Board-Level Reporting: Deliver high-impact AML/CFT reporting and strategic insights to senior leadership and the Board of Directors.
• Integrity Assurance: Manage timely regulatory filings and responses to uphold the highest standards of corporate integrity.

Foster a Culture of Compliance

• Targeted Education: Develop and deliver bespoke AML/CFT training programmes for diverse audiences, including executives, compliance staff, and outsourced service providers.
• Business Advocacy: Promote a culture of integrity and compliance awareness across the entire organization.
• Proactive Consulting: Provide practical, compliance-focused advice on the rollout of new products, features, and strategic partnerships.

Champion Continuous Improvement

• Regulatory Intelligence: Stay at the forefront of regulatory shifts and emerging industry trends.
• Process Innovation: Identify and execute opportunities to automate and streamline AML/CFT workflows.
• Data-Driven Compliance: Collaborate with tech teams to leverage data and advanced technology for "smarter," more efficient compliance outcomes.
• Audit Remediation: Take full ownership of audit findings, driving remediation efforts that result in lasting institutional improvements.

It Will Be Great If You Bring

• Jurisdictional Expertise: A deep understanding of New Zealand AML/CFT laws or significant experience in a comparable jurisdiction with the agility to adapt quickly to NZ requirements.
• Operational Excellence: Proven experience designing and operating AML/CFT frameworks, specifically in CDD/EDD, transaction monitoring, and SAR reporting.
• Fintech Fluency: Comfort navigating technology-enabled customer journeys, ideally within a high-growth or digital-first environment.
• Technical Translation: Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to translate complex regulatory requirements into actionable logic for IT and Engineering teams.
• Self-Directed Leadership: The ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and maintain momentum across multiple workstreams.
• Professional Credentials: Relevant certifications such as ACAMS are highly valued.
• Regulatory Credibility: Direct experience engaging with regulators, auditors, or law enforcement on sensitive AML/CFT matters.
• Modern Toolset: Familiarity with modern AML/CFT software and automated compliance tools.