Senior Compliance Specialist - AML/Fraud Controls

Job description

Wise is looking for a Senior Compliance Specialist to join our North America Financial Crime Compliance Oversight team in Austin, TX. Reporting to the Deputy BSA/AML Officer, you'll be an individual contributor and subject matter expert for AML and Fraud controls across the US and Canada. You'll provide independent second-line challenge, translate regulatory and risk requirements into practical controls, and partner cross-functionally (e.g. with Product, Operations, etc) to identify gaps and drive improvements.

Your Mission

Provide second-line oversight of AML and Fraud controls across the US and Canada, including customer due diligence, investigations and fraud risk controls. Review and challenge first-line control design, performance and changes, including new products or features; recommend proportionate improvements and escalate material issues. Advise regional and global teams on applicable US and Canadian AML/CTF requirements and Wise policies, translating obligations into practical control expectations.

Use MI, KRIs and control evidence to identify trends, exceptions and gaps; agree actions and track remediation through closure. Contribute to financial crime risk assessments and horizon scanning, helping ensure relevant AML/Fraud developments are reflected in controls. Support suspicious activity/transaction reporting governance, including the US SAR Committee where relevant, and provide clear analysis and control feedback.

Prepare concise, decision-ready documentation and support responses to auditors, regulators and partners within your scope. Own medium-complexity work end to end and share expertise through onboarding, coaching and knowledge sharing.

A Bit About You

Theory. You have strong working knowledge of US and Canadian AML/CTF requirements and hands-on experience with AML and Fraud controls in a financial institution, fintech, money services business or consulting environment. Practice. You have experience reviewing, challenging or improving controls and investigations, and can connect regulatory requirements, risk and customer impact. Judgement. You can identify material issues, make sound risk-based recommendations, and know when to decide independently or escalate.

Ownership. You manage medium-complexity work from start to finish, prioritise competing deadlines and keep stakeholders aligned with minimal direction. Communication. You write and speak clearly, simplify complex information and can constructively challenge stakeholders across Operations, Product and Compliance. Delivery. You are proactive, thorough and data-minded. You follow actions through to closure and leave a clear record of the risk, decision and rationale.

Teamwork. You build strong relationships, welcome feedback and share your expertise to help others succeed. Travel. You are willing to travel to other Wise offices as required (around 10%). You must already be legally authorised to work in the US; Wise cannot provide visa sponsorship for this role. This is not a remote position. This full-time role is based in Austin, TX, with three days of in-office work.

Nice to haves

Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS), or similar professional certification. Experience contributing to financial crime or enterprise risk assessments. Experience with suspicious activity/transaction reporting, transaction monitoring and/or fraud investigations. Experience using MI/KRIs, control effectiveness testing, model validation or tuning to identify risk and drive action. Experience training, onboarding or mentoring colleagues Key benefits: Salary range: $82,000 - $110,000 USD annually.

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) Medical, dental, & vision insurance - including HSA and FSA options.

Company-paid

Life Insurance, AD&D Insurance, Short & Long-Term Disability, and an EAP program. 25 days of PTO + 11 paid banking holidays + 10 paid sick days + a paid volunteer day, annually. 16-weeks of paid parental leave, after a year with us. 401k with up to a 4% employer match. 6-week paid sabbatical after 4 years with us. We're people without borders - without judgment or prejudice, too. We want to work with the best people, no matter their background.

So if you're passionate about learning new things and keen to join our mission, you'll fit right in. Also, qualifications aren't tha t important to us. If you've got great experience, and you're great at articulating your thinking, we'd like to hear from you. And because we believe that diverse teams build better products, we'd especially love to hear from you if you're from an under-represented demographic.