Compliance Lead

Location: Global

Team: General

About the Role

Wise, a global technology company revolutionizing money movement with min fees, max ease, and full speed, seeks a Compliance Lead to spearhead its North America financial crime compliance oversight team. In this senior role within the Risk and Compliance team, you will lead BSA professionals, partner closely with FinCrime Operations, Product, Banking, and Legal teams, and ensure robust mitigation of AML, fraud, sanctions, KYC, and EDD risks through enhanced systems and controls. Shape the strategic direction of our financial crime program by presenting to senior stakeholders, challenging first-line controls, and representing compliance to regulators and partners—all while driving Wise's mission to build a new network for the world's money, for everyone, everywhere. Your impact will include developing oversight frameworks, delivering board reports, leading SAR committees, overseeing 314b programs, and horizon scanning for regulatory changes. With opportunities to mentor juniors and innovate processes in a fast-paced, hybrid environment (New York-based with global collaboration), you'll thrive if you're an expert in US regulations like BSA and OFAC, passionate about compliance strategies, and a concise communicator who excels under pressure. Join our diverse, inclusive team committed to values-driven work, flexible arrangements, and meaningful perks to make international finance simpler and fairer.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead a team of BSA professionals and collaborate with Product Compliance, FinCrime Operations, Product, Banking, and Legal teams
• Provide oversight of compliance operations including AML, Fraud, Sanctions, KYC/CDD, and EDD
• Offer advice and guidance on BSA, AML/CTF, OFAC regulations, and Wise policies
• Develop and maintain the compliance FinCrime oversight framework and North America policies
• Prepare quarterly compliance reports for Wise US Inc. board and contribute to group reporting
• Maintain training materials, deliver training to board, and challenge first line teams on controls
• Represent fincrime compliance to regulators, auditors, and partners
• Set SAR filing standards, lead US SAR committee, and oversee 314b program and law enforcement responses
• Conduct horizon scanning for regulatory developments and identify key risks with mitigation plans
• Mentor, develop, and lead junior team members

Required Qualifications

• Expert in US financial crime regulations including the Bank Secrecy Act, OFAC, NY DFS Part 504
• Demonstrable experience designing and challenging processes across multiple products
• Experience in financial crime compliance in a fast-paced environment, in-house or as a consultant
• Effective communicator able to convey complex ideas to US and non-US audiences
• Sense of urgency, ability to prioritize, work under pressure, and handle multiple projects
• Meticulous attention to detail
• Great people skills and ability to collaborate globally
• Willingness to travel to other offices as required
• Legally authorized to work in the US

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS)
• Certification as a Global Sanctions Specialist (CGSS) or similar
• Experience conducting risk assessments
• Experience conducting QA/QC on SARs
• Experience filing SARs or OFAC reports electronically
• Experience with training/mentoring junior team members

Required Skills

• Expert knowledge of US financial crime regulations (BSA, OFAC, NY DFS Part 504)
• Process design and challenge across products
• Strategic compliance framework development
• Clear written and verbal communication for diverse audiences
• Urgency and prioritization under pressure
• Meticulous attention to detail
• Team collaboration and relationship building
• SAR filing and committee leadership
• Risk assessment and horizon scanning
• Mentoring and leadership

Benefits

• RSUs (stock options)
• Flexible working
• Parental leave
• Learning budget
• Paid sabbatical after 4 years
• Health insurance
• Company retreat
• Wise card

Wise is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse workforce.