FinCrime Operations Team Lead - Reporting

Wise Payments; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A global fintech company in Kuala Lumpur is seeking a Team Lead for their Financial Crime Operations team. The ideal candidate will lead and inspire a team dedicated to identifying suspicious activities. Strong leadership and performance management skills are essential, alongside experience in a regulated environment. This role demands a proactive, results-driven individual who is adept at making informed decisions based on data. Attractive benefits and a diverse workplace culture are offered to successful applicants.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Dynamic work environment

Inclusivity and diversity initiatives

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in leading operational teams in a regulated environment.
• Knowledge or experience in AML, fraud detection, or financial crime reviews preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written English communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of specialists identifying and reporting suspicious activities.
• Manage performance and mitigate operational risks.
• Design, implement, and oversee operational processes.

Skills

Leadership

Performance management

Communication

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Adaptability

Job description

Wise Company Overview

Wise is a global technology company, building the best way to move and manage the world's money. Min fees. Max ease. Full speed.

Whether people and businesses are sending money to another country, spending abroad, or making and receiving international payments, Wise is on a mission to make their lives easier and save them money.

As part of our team, you will help create an entirely new network for the world's money. For everyone, everywhere.

More about our mission and what we offer.

Job Description

Apply by submitting your CV and cover letter in English. In your cover letter, please share a specific example of leading an operational team through a significant challenge, outlining your approach and the tangible impact. Please note that an application without a cover letter may not be considered.

A skilled, decisive operational leader ready to make real impact? Wise seeks a dynamic and experienced Team Lead for our Financial Crime Operations team (focused on suspicious activity reporting) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

We're looking for an individual who thrives in a fast-paced fintech environment, excels at building and driving high-performing operational teams, and takes charge, coaches effectively, and champions a culture of excellence and accountability. This is not a “floor manager” role.

Your Mission

As Team Lead, you will lead, develop, and inspire a team of specialists dedicated to identifying and reporting activities to global financial intelligence units. You will be instrumental in leading an efficient, compliant, and high-quality operational team.

Make data-driven decisions, proactively identify and implement improvements, manage performance, mitigate operational risks, and ensure adherence to processes. You will be the driving force ensuring your team is not just managed, but truly led.

What You'll Get To Do

• Lead and develop a high-performing team: directly lead, coach, mentor, and develop a team of specialists, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Drive performance and quality: own and actively manage your team's Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), service delivery goals, and quality standards, implementing strategies to consistently meet and exceed targets.
• Champion operational excellence: design, implement, and oversee operational processes and task allocation, focusing on tactical execution to ensure timely, accurate, and efficient case resolution.
• Uphold rigorous standards: be accountable for the quality of your team's output, ensuring strict adherence to internal policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Decisive performance management: proactively manage individual and team performance, providing clear, constructive feedback, and taking swift, decisive action to address underperformance or behavioral concerns.
• Stakeholder engagement and representation: confidently represent the team's operations, policies, and processes to different stakeholders as needed.
• Complex case and escalation management: serve as the primary escalation point for complex cases, collaborating with other functions to ensure effective resolution while maintaining strong customer empathy and clear communication.
• Change management: ensure ongoing compliance with relevant regulations; manage the operational impact of changes with a focus on efficiency and customer experience.
• Continuous improvement: actively seek and drive opportunities for process adherence and enhancements to improve efficiency and quality.
• Resource planning and management: contribute to effective capacity planning to ensure the team can meet fluctuating demands and SLAs.
• Role model leadership: set the highest standards for performance, diligence, and professional conduct, acting as a role model for your team and peers.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience: demonstrable experience in leading, motivating, and developing operational teams, preferably in a fast-paced, regulated environment (e.g., financial services, fintech).
• Financial crime expertise (preferred): knowledge or experience in AML, fraud detection, internal controls, audit or financial crime reviews will be highly beneficial.
• Decisive and action-oriented: a proactive, results-driven leader who is not afraid to take charge, make tough decisions, and hold themselves and their team accountable.
• Strong performance management skills: proven ability to set clear expectations, manage performance rigorously, coach for improvement, and address underperformance effectively.
• Confident and articulate communicator: excellent verbal and written English communication skills. Ability to articulate complex issues clearly, present confidently, speak persuasively, and build strong working relationships with diverse stakeholders. Not shy and comfortable being visible. Other languages are a plus.
• Analytical and data-focused: strong understanding of operational metrics with the ability to analyze data, identify trends, and make informed decisions to drive team performance.
• Problem-solving and prioritization: ability to multitask effectively, prioritize decisively under pressure, and take full ownership in challenging situations.
• Adaptable and resilient: willingness to learn, adapt to change, and maintain composure and effectiveness in a dynamic environment. Comfortable making decisions independently and taking ownership of those decisions.
• Ownership and accountability: proven track record of taking individual ownership, driving initiatives to completion, and being a strong team player.
• Process improvement mindset: natural inclination to identify inefficiencies and drive improvements.

Additional Information

We are people building money without borders – without judgement or prejudice, too. We believe teams are strongest when they are diverse, equitable and inclusive.

We're proud to have a truly international team, and we celebrate our differences. Inclusive teams help us live our values and make sure every Wiser feels respected, empowered to contribute towards our mission and able to progress in their careers.

If you want to find out more about what it's like to work at Wise visit Wise.Jobs.

Keep up to date with life at Wise by following us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

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