Lead AML

Role Summary:

The Team Lead, AML plays a critical leadership role in safeguarding Wave's platform. Serving as a key subject matter expert, you will lead a team of AML analysts tasked with detecting, investigating, and resolving potentially suspicious activity alerts across Canada and the United States. In this role, you will ensure full alignment with FINTRAC and FINCEN regulatory requirements, drive operational excellence in transaction monitoring, and promote a robust compliance culture.

Heres How You Make an Impact:

• People Management:

Manage a team of direct reports, monitor team performance and KPIs, hold regular 1:1s, and provide career development and coaching support.

Train and coach new and existing Wavers across operational workflows, policy enforcement, and investigation techniques.

Host regular team meetings to provide ongoing support and knowledge sharing.

• Operations Management:

Lead the day-to-day operations of a team of analysts, primarily supporting the transaction monitoring function of the AML program.

Monitor daily queue performance, ensuring assigned alerts are reviewed in accordance with internal targets.

Technical ownership and support of key compliance screening and transaction monitoring tools.

Recommend risk mitigation actions and next steps at the conclusion of alert/case investigations.

Review and approve complex escalations, provide constructive feedback to analysts, and oversee the accurate preparation and timely filing of UARs, STRs, and SARs.

Lead monthly quality assurance (QA/QC) reviews for the AML team, maintaining team QC pass rate standards.

• AML Expertise :

Maintain deep operational knowledge of applicable US and Canadian AML regulations, especially the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (PCMLTFA) and FINTRAC guidance.

Analyze financial transactions and identify patterns or anomalies to uncover suspicious or unusual customer activity.

Perform complex AML investigations using a wide variety of data in order to determine the appropriate course of action. You're a self-proclaimed detective!

• Leadership:

Provide leadership with regular team activity and performance reports.

Act as a subject matter expert and point of contact with other departments.

Communicate with financial crime teams and stakeholders to gather additional information as required and mitigate risk across Wave.

Maintain and enhance our policies, procedures, and internal resources.

Identification and documentation of emerging trends in suspicious activity observed at Wave and the ability to present findings to your team and management.

Partner with leadership to support and roll out AML program and tooling changes, including participation in remediation efforts and solutions.

Advancing a strong culture of compliance.

You Thrive Here By Possessing the Following:

• 5+ years of experience in AML compliance within fintech or banking, including 1-3 years in a leadership, supervisory, or senior subject matter expert role.
• ACAMS (CAMS) or equivalent professional AML certification preferred.
• Strong knowledge of Canadian (FINTRAC) and US (FinCEN) regulatory environments, suspicious activity typologies, and red flag identification.
• Previous experience in AML compliance, preferably in Transaction Monitoring.
• A thorough understanding of Enhanced Due Diligence for high-risk customers.
• Hands-on experience conducting complex investigations and drafting regulatory filings (STRs/SARs).
• A thorough understanding of the review and remediation process of potential sanctions and PEP screening matches.
• Highly organized and focused, supported by strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong communication skills and passion for leading people.
• Thrive in a fast-paced environment and have a sense of tact and empathy under pressure.
• A sixth sense for identifying problems while implementing and communicating solutions.