Summary
The VP, KYC Operations Team Lead is responsible for the strategic oversight and day-to-day management of KYC operations across settlement services, card issuing, and retail banking. This role leads a team of analysts through customer onboarding, program changes, and risk reviews, while driving cross-functional collaboration to ensure scalable, compliant, and efficient KYC execution aligned with BSA, AML, and CIP requirements.
Responsibilities:
KYC Compliance and Risk Management
• Oversee the KYC lifecycle for settlement services, card issuing, and retail banking customers in line with BSA, AML, and CIP requirements.
• Manage program changes, new customer onboardings, and periodic reviews to meet deadlines and reduce risk.
• Assign and oversee requests for new customers and updates to existing relationships.
• Serve as the main escalation point for analyst questions and issues.
• Update and improve KYC standards as requirements and processes change.
• Identify training needs and process improvements that increase efficiency and improve the customer experience.
• Prepare monthly metrics on pipeline and completed accounts for management reporting
• Identify and escalate emerging KYC risks in settlement services and retail banking, including recommended actions.
• Support strategic initiatives from bank management and business growth opportunities.
• Support CDD initiatives, including due diligence enhancements, risk scoring, process improvements, and risk assessment frameworks.
Operations and Process Improvement
• Oversee KYC due diligence reviews for settlement services, card issuing, and retail banking customers.
• Support technology and process initiatives from planning through implementation.
• Partner with technology and operations teams to improve KYC workflows, automation, and onboarding efficiency.
• Monitor KYC processes to ensure controls remain aligned with regulatory requirements and industry standards.
• Maintain quality control to ensure KYC reviews meet compliance and regulatory standards.
Leadership & Team Development
• Coach and develop KYC analysts while promoting a high-performing, compliance-focused team environment.
• Assess training needs across lines of business and deliver targeted KYC training by product and service.
• Support the Head of KYC Operations in performance management and employee development.
• Serve as a KYC resource to business partners, Third Party Risk Management, Legal, and Compliance.
Reporting and Stakeholder Collaboration
• Report on KYC operations, customer risk trends, and customer attributes across core segments.
• Partner with AML, fraud, and compliance teams on a coordinated financial crime risk approach.
• Work with business stakeholders to provide KYC guidance and support smooth onboarding and monitoring.
• Support KYC-related regulatory examinations and audits.
Required Qualifications and Skills
• 7 - 10 years of experience in KYC, AML, BSA Compliance, or related across settlement services, card issuing, correspondent banking, or retail banking.
• Strong knowledge of KYC/AML regulations, including FinCEN, FATF, and the USA PATRIOT Act.
• Experience managing KYC for customers in digital payments, prepaid cards, correspondent banking, and banking services.
• Strong analytical skills and sound compliance judgment.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, highly regulated environment.
• Experience with KYC technology and workflow automation tools is a plus.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• CAMS or similar compliance certification preferred.
