KYC Operation Lead

KYC Operation Lead – Job Description

Role Purpose

The KYC Operation Lead is responsible for overseeing all Know Your Customer operational activities, ensuring robust execution of Customer Due Diligence (CDD), ongoing monitoring, and adherence to local, EU, and international regulatory frameworks. This role requires strong leadership capabilities, deep expertise in AML, and the ability to manage complex stakeholder interactions across head office, international hubs, and local counterparts.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the end‑to‑end KYC operations, ensuring full compliance with local and EU AML regulations, internal policies, and global standards.
• Supervise and guide operational teams responsible for due diligence, periodic reviews, onboarding, and transaction monitoring activities.
• Ensure the timely identification, assessment, and escalation of financial crime risks.
• Promote continuous improvement of KYC processes, data quality, and operational efficiency.
• Foster a culture of compliance, accountability, and operational excellence across the team.
• Manage frequent interactions and reporting lines with Head Office, regional hubs, and key local stakeholders.
• Identify, develop, and retain talent within the team, supporting professional growth and succession planning.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional partners (Compliance, Legal, Risk, Operations, IT, FCC) to ensure consistent execution of the KYC framework.
• Drive data‑driven decision-making, leveraging analytics and dashboards to enhance process monitoring and risk identification.
• Contribute to the local implementation of new regulations, policy updates, and global initiatives.

Requirements

• Minimum 5 years of experience in AML/Financial Crime, preferably within a banking or financial services environment.
• Strong and up‑to‑date knowledge of EU and local AML regulations, including CDD/EDD requirements and transaction monitoring frameworks.
• Proven understanding of national, EU, and international sanctions regimes.
• Demonstrated experience in managing operational teams and direct reports, including performance development, coaching, and talent identification.
• Excellent relationship‑management skills and ability to coordinate with Head Office, international hubs, and all key local stakeholders.
• Strong data analytics capabilities and familiarity with using analytical insights for operational decision-making.
• Long-term international experience is considered a strong asset.
• Fluent English required; additional languages are a plus.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel (pivot tables, formulas, reporting) and PowerPoint (presentation structuring, storytelling, data visualization).

Preferred Competencies

• Strategic thinking with hands-on execution ability.
• Strong problem‑solving and critical‑thinking skills.
• High level of integrity, discretion, and accountability.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.