Opportunity at
WiseFinCrime Operations Team Lead - Sanctions
Wise is recruiting a FinCrime Operations Team Lead to run its Sanctions operations team. The leader oversees the daily work of a group of analysts and…
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About This Role
Wise is recruiting a FinCrime Operations Team Lead to run its Sanctions operations team. The leader oversees the daily work of a group of analysts and specialists, aiming to reduce financial crime risk linked to Wise customers while keeping operations efficient, compliant and customer-focused. The role combines people leadership with subject matter expertise. The team lead is expected to know KYC, AML, fraud and screening well, to understand the financial…
Job Description
Wise is recruiting a FinCrime Operations Team Lead to run its Sanctions operations team. The leader oversees the daily work of a group of analysts and specialists, aiming to reduce financial crime risk linked to Wise customers while keeping operations efficient, compliant and customer-focused.
The role combines people leadership with subject matter expertise. The team lead is expected to know KYC, AML, fraud and screening well, to understand the financial crime risks tied to customers, products and tools, and to help shape processes that meet regulatory duties and partner requirements.
A major part of the job is developing the team. The lead coaches analysts, gives regular and specific feedback, runs performance and development plans, holds one-to-one sessions every one or two weeks, carries out quality reviews, and makes recommendations on promotions, pay and other role decisions. The lead also tracks team and individual KPIs, handles complex high-risk cases, and escalates control gaps and incidents to senior leadership.
Beyond the team, the lead works with central and other operational functions on shared initiatives, documents work for wider audiences, and proposes changes to processes and tooling. The environment is described as change-oriented and fast-paced, with an emphasis on ownership and accountability.
Responsibilities
- Oversee daily operations so that work meets regulatory requirements and internal policies.
- Coach and develop analysts, and manage performance and development plans.
- Run quality reviews, team meetings and regular one-to-one sessions.
- Track team and individual KPIs and act quickly when targets or quality standards slip.
- Handle complex, high-risk cases and escalate material issues to senior leadership.
- Propose process and tooling improvements, and document initiatives and their results.
- Work with other operations, compliance and central teams on joint efforts.
Requirements
- Excellent English, written and spoken, for clear reports and customer communications.
- At least one to two years of leading small or medium-sized teams, ideally in operations.
- A solid working knowledge of KYC, AML, fraud and risk regulation.
- Familiarity with money laundering methods and current financial crime patterns.
- Strong operational management and decision-making, and the ability to work under tight deadlines.
- The ability to analyse team metrics and give evidence-based feedback that changes behaviour.
Qualifications
- A related bachelor's degree, such as in finance, business or law, is a plus.
- ICA, CAMS or an equivalent certification in KYC, EDD, AML, fraud, screening or risk is a plus.
- Experience with analytics tools such as Looker or Superset is a plus.
Core Skills
Benefits
- Company restricted stock units (RSUs).
- Flexible working arrangements.
- Paid holidays, sick leave, parental leave and other types of leave.
- A paid six-week sabbatical after four years with the company, on top of annual leave.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers are based only on the employer’s listing; where it doesn’t say, neither do we.
Where is the role located?
The posting does not name the office location. The role is listed as on-site.
What leadership experience is needed?
At least one to two years of team-lead experience, ideally in operations, is required.
Is a salary amount listed?
No figure is given. The posting refers to a starting salary and company RSUs, but does not state the amount.
What qualifications help?
A related bachelor's degree and certifications such as ICA or CAMS are described as a plus, not as requirements.
What is the employment type?
It is a full-time position.
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