Western Union

Strategic Intelligence Analyst

Western Union$82K — $102K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree and 1+ years in intelligence analysis, financial crime, or related fields.
  • Experience with analytical judgment under uncertainty and articulating confidence levels.
  • Comfortable with large datasets; knowledge of SQL, Python, or ETL tools preferred.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office and strong experience with data visualization tools like PowerBI.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, especially for presenting to senior leaders.
  • Background in strategic analysis within the U.S. Intelligence Community or financial institutions is valuable.
  • Graduate-level training in intelligence methodologies is a plus.

Responsibilities

  • Track and model global criminal and terrorist threats using big data methodologies.
  • Execute phases of complex intelligence analysis projects independently.
  • Analyze large datasets with ETL and visualization tools.
  • Examine transaction data against typology-specific intelligence sources.
  • Prepare detailed investigative reports and visual analytics for findings.
  • Collaborate with law enforcement and regulatory bodies to exchange intelligence.
  • Brief senior Compliance leadership on high-risk issues and support decision-making.

Benefits

  • Paid Time Off
  • Medical, Dental, and Life Insurance
  • Parental Leave
  • Global Adoption Assistance
  • 401K plan
Full Job Description

Strategic Intelligence Analyst – Denver (Hybrid)

In this role, you will be a key member of a strategic analysis team (the Typology Investigations & Strategic Analysis, or TISA) within Western Union’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). TISA is the primary source for AML/TF typology-focused subject matter expertise provided to other Compliance and corporate risk programs. TISA analysis contributes directly to FIU-initiated transaction controls and other non-standard risk mitigation measures designed to protect the company. TISA analysts work closely with law enforcement and other government partners to exchange threat intelligence and identify emerging risk issues. TISA also provides a variety of bespoke AML/TF-focused research and analysis services to support Compliance leadership and other key stakeholders.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Western Union will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position. Applicants must be based in Denver or willing to relocate to Denver to work from the Denver office a minimum of three days a week. Western Union will not assist with relocation costs for this position.

Role Responsibilities

  • Track, evaluate, and model global criminal and terrorist threat evolution using big-data tools and all-source analytic methodologies.
  • Execute all phases of complex, high-risk intelligence analysis projects with significant autonomy and independent judgment.
  • Query, integrate, and analyze extremely large datasets (millions of rows) using ETL, analytics, and data-visualization tools.
  • Interrogate Western Union transaction data using typology-specific intelligence from open/public, commercial, law enforcement, and other sources.
  • Develop detailed narrative investigative reports, presentations, and visual analytic products (e.g., link charts) to document and communicate judgments and findings.
  • Collaborate closely with law enforcement, regulatory bodies, and other government partners to exchange threat intelligence and identify emerging risks.
  • Brief Compliance senior leadership (Director and above) on high-threat, high-exposure issues.
  • Provide bespoke AML/TF-focused research and analysis to support Compliance leadership and key internal stakeholders.
  • Support ad-hoc analytic and research requests from FIU and Compliance senior leadership to inform executive-level decision-making.
  • Contribute to innovation initiatives within the FIU by proactively identifying opportunities to improve processes, analytics, and risk mitigation capabilities.

Role Requirements

  • Bachelor27s degree and/or 1+ years of relevant experience in intelligence analysis, law enforcement, think-tank research, financial crime, investigative analysis, or related fields.
  • Experience constructing analytic judgments based on incomplete or imperfect information, including the ability to articulate and justify associated confidence levels.
  • Comfort working with extremely large and complex datasets; experience with SQL, Python, or ETL tools such as Alteryx preferred.
  • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint); experience with PowerBI or comparable visualization tools strongly desired.
  • Demonstrated excellence in written and oral communication, with experience presenting complex analysis to senior decision-makers.
  • Relevant background in strategic analysis for the U.S. Intelligence Community, law enforcement, financial institutions, or AML/CTF risk programs considered highly valuable.
  • Graduate-level training in intelligence analysis methodologies, tradecraft, or related disciplines is a plus.

Salary

The base salary range is $82,000.00 - 102,000.00 USD per year, total on target compensation includes a base salary plus annual incentives that align with individual and company performance. Actual salaries will vary based on candidates27 qualifications, skills, and competencies.

Benefits

You will also have access to short-term incentives, multiple health insurance options, accident and life insurance, and access to best-in-class development platforms, to name a few (). Please see the below benefits specific to your location and note that your recruiter may share additional role-specific benefits during your interview
process or in an offer of employment.

Your US specific benefits include:

  • Paid Time off
  • Medical, Dental and Life Insurance
  • Parental Leave
  • Global Adoption Assistance
  • 401K plan

Western Union values in-person collaboration, learning, and ideation whenever possible. We believe this creates value through common ways of working and supports the execution of enterprise objectives which will ultimately help us achieve our strategic goals. By connecting face-to-face, we are better able to learn from our peers, problem-solve together, and innovate.

Our Hybrid Work Model categorizes each role into one of three categories. Western Union has determined the category of this role to be Hybrid. This is defined as a flexible working arrangement that enables employees to divide their time between working from home and working from an office location. The expectation is to work from the office a minimum of three days a week.

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Estimated Job Posting End Date:

09-21-2026

This application window is a good-faith estimate of the time that this posting will remain open. This posting will be promptly updated if the deadline is extended or the role is filled.

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