Head of Transaction Monitoring (New York)

A rapidly growing financial institution is seeking an experienced leader to oversee its Transaction Monitoring and Sanctions Screening function. This role will be responsible for building and enhancing the Bank’s transaction monitoring, investigations, and sanctions compliance framework while ensuring alignment with OCC, BSA/AML, and OFAC regulatory expectations.

The position offers the opportunity to operate in a high-growth environment where strategic program development and hands‑on leadership are equally important. The ideal candidate will help shape scalable monitoring processes, strengthen investigative capabilities, and partner across the organization to support a strong culture of compliance and risk management.

Key Responsibilities

Program Development & Oversight

• Lead the design, implementation, and ongoing enhancement of the Bank’s Transaction Monitoring and Sanctions Screening Program, including transaction surveillance, sanctions screening, and fraud‑related monitoring controls.
• Continuously refine monitoring rules, detection methodologies, and escalation workflows to address emerging financial crime risks.
• Develop and maintain program metrics and reporting that measure effectiveness, operational efficiency, and alignment with the institution’s risk appetite.
• Draft, implement, and periodically update policies and procedures in response to evolving regulatory expectations and industry best practices.
• Oversee sanctions alert management processes to ensure timely review, escalation, and disposition in accordance with regulatory requirements and internal policy.

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of transaction monitoring analysts and investigators.
• Establish quality assurance standards, case handling expectations, and professional development initiatives to support a high‑performing compliance organization.
• Serve as a key liaison for internal audit activities and regulatory examinations related to transaction monitoring and sanctions compliance.

Investigations & Regulatory Reporting

• Oversee investigations from initial alert review through disposition, escalation, and documentation.
• Ensure timely and accurate preparation and filing of Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) consistent with FinCEN and regulatory guidance.
• Manage responses to law enforcement inquiries and information‑sharing requests under applicable regulatory provisions.
• Oversee transaction monitoring, sanctions screening, case management, and analytics platforms to ensure systems effectively support program objectives.
• Partner with Technology, Operations, and Data teams to improve data integrity, workflow efficiency, and change management processes.
• Utilize analytics and technology solutions to strengthen monitoring capabilities and support scalable financial crime risk management.
• Support enterprise BSA/AML and sanctions risk assessments by evaluating transaction monitoring and sanctions‑related risks.
• Prepare reporting and presentations for senior leadership and governance committees regarding emerging risks, program effectiveness, and key metrics.
• Provide compliance and financial crime risk input for new products, services, geographic exposure reviews, and strategic initiatives.
• Develop and deliver targeted training related to transaction monitoring, sanctions compliance, fraud typologies, and financial crime risks.
• Serve as a subject matter expert to business, operations, and compliance teams on transaction monitoring trends and regulatory expectations.
• Partner with stakeholders across the organization to reinforce awareness of escalation protocols and financial crime risk mitigation responsibilities.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in financial crimes compliance, with significant experience in transaction monitoring, AML investigations, or sanctions compliance leadership roles.
• Strong understanding of OCC, BSA/AML, and OFAC regulatory requirements and supervisory expectations.
• Demonstrated experience building, implementing, and enhancing transaction monitoring and sanctions programs within regulated financial institutions.
• Experience working with monitoring systems, case management tools, analytics platforms, and emerging financial crime technologies.
• Strong leadership, investigative, analytical, and communication skills.
• Ability to work cross‑functionally with Compliance, Operations, Technology, Risk, and business teams.
• CAMS, CFCS, or similar industry certification preferred.