KYC Operations Senior Lead - SMA

Location: Global

Team: General

About the Role

Wise is a global technology company revolutionizing the way the world moves and manages money with min fees, max ease, and full speed. As KYC Operations Senior Lead - SMA, you will oversee multiple KYC Team Leads and their analyst teams, driving performance, streamlining processes, and embodying Wise values to deliver high-quality customer due diligence while meeting key operational metrics. In this role, you will lead by example fostering a customer-focused culture of ownership and continuous learning, coach team leads on skill development, identify process improvements for efficiency, monitor KPIs, and serve as an escalation point and subject matter expert on KYC/AML regulations. You will plan and execute initiatives, collaborate with stakeholders, and ensure clear communication across the organization. Join our Global Operations team in Tallinn to build high-performing teams that prevent financial crime and support Wise's mission for everyone, everywhere. With a starting salary from 3175 EUR, RSUs, and excellent benefits, this is your chance to make a real impact in a fast-paced, innovative environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead by example and drive a customer focused mindset across your team and the wider organisation
• Coach and develop a strong team of KYC Team Leads, design development plans and conduct career map check-ins
• Identify and propose opportunities for process improvements and collaborate to increase automation and efficiency
• Measure group wide KPIs, ensure performance targets are met, conduct one-on-one coaching and act as escalation point
• Be a subject matter expert in KYC/AML, train team, understand regulatory obligations and assist with audits
• Ensure operational team plans are set and take accountability for delivering initiatives through delegation
• Collaborate closely with stakeholders, ensure clear communication and documentation of initiatives
• Proactively improve cross-team communication and act as liaison between organisation layers

Required Qualifications

• Excellent verbal and written English skills (additional language skills are a plus)
• A minimum of 3+ years of experience in Operations (preferably in CDD/EDD/AML or Risk Assessment domain)
• A minimum of 1 year of experience in KYC/AML, Financial Compliance field and having great understanding of the regulatory framework surrounding KYC/AML
• At least 2+ years of leading medium to large sized teams (20 to 60 employees)
• Punctual, independent, proactive and willing to get things done
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, strong organisational skills, great time management, and ability to work in a fast paced and high pressure environment
• Ability to multi-task and take responsibility in challenging situations
• Capable of identifying gaps in policies and processes and providing detailed feedback
• Proven track record of taking individual ownership and responsibilities as well as being a great team-player
• Ability to analyze and move the team's metrics

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, Law, or related field
• Certifications: ICA, CAMS, or equivalent certification (EDD/AML focused)
• 2-3 years experience in KYC/AML, financial crime, compliance, or a related field within the financial services industry
• Ability to use analytics tools like Looker, Superset, or other

Required Skills

• Leadership and people management
• KYC/AML and financial compliance expertise
• Process improvement and automation
• Performance metrics and KPI analysis
• Stakeholder communication and collaboration
• Team coaching and development
• Regulatory knowledge and risk-based approach
• Operational planning and execution
• Analytics and reporting
• Problem-solving in high-pressure environments

Benefits

• Starting salary from 3175 EUR monthly
• Company Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
• Great benefits in our Tallinn office
• Flexible working
• Health insurance
• Learning budget
• Paid sabbatical after 4 years
• Company retreats
• Wise card

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