KYC Operations Director

Citigroup; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 250,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global financial institution is looking for a KYC Operations Senior Group Manager - Director based in Kuala Lumpur. This pivotal role involves strategic leadership in KYC and AML initiatives across multiple countries, ensuring compliance and quality standards are met. The ideal candidate will have over 15 years of relevant experience, overseeing large, diverse teams. Responsibilities include optimizing processes and engaging with various core functions to promote operational excellence in the KYC program.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in financial services, focusing on AML, KYC, and compliance.
• Proven experience in managing large, multi-cultural teams across countries.
• Ability to manage complex operational processes and drive AML targets.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic design for KYC processes across multiple jurisdictions.
• Develop and optimize productivity strategies for compliance.
• Collaborate on productivity targets with global operational teams.
• Adapt KYC programs to regulatory changes and requirements.
• Lead projects aimed at improving operational productivity and compliance.
• Engage with global Core functions on AML/KYC initiatives.

Skills

Business Acumen

Credible Challenge

Laws and Regulations

Management Reporting

Policy and Procedure

Program Management

Referral and Escalation

Risk Controls and Monitors

Risk Identification and Assessment

Risk Remediation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, or related field

Job description

KYC Operations Senior Group Manager - Director

Working at Citi is far more than just a job. A career with us means joining a team of more than 230,000 dedicated people from around the globe. At Citi, you’ll have the opportunity to grow your career, give back to your community and make a real impact.

Job Overview

The KYC Operations Senior Group Manager is a critical C15-level leadership role, responsible for driving strategic direction and achieving results through the comprehensive management of a significant team or department. This position provides essential Anti-Money Laundering (AML)/Know Your Customer (KYC) enhanced customer reviews, governance, oversight, and regulatory reporting services. Operating in close coordination with the Business, Compliance (AML) and Control teams, the role's overarching objective is to lead the development and management of a dedicated internal Know Your Client (KYC) program across three designated countries (Singapore, Hong Kong and UAE), ensuring robust AML work and production standards.

Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership & Multi-Country Oversight: Lead the strategic design and implementation of a robust operational capacity and productivity framework, ensuring an effective, sustainable, and compliant end-to-end KYC process and AML production across four countries (Singapore, Hong Kong, UAE and Kuala Lumpur Hub). Guarantee global adherence to KYC standards while complying with local regulatory nuances.
• Productivity Optimization & Management: Develop, manage, and continuously optimize productivity strategies tailored for multi-jurisdictional effectiveness, aligning with global standards. Partner with business and Compliance to ensure accurate reflection and reporting of throughput across all covered regions.
• Cross-Jurisdictional Target Setting: Collaborate with global operational teams to establish, monitor, and achieve ambitious productivity targets at global, regional, hub, satellite, team lead, and individual levels, specifically accounting for the diverse operating environments of the four countries.
• Adaptability & Regulatory Compliance: Proactively adapt the KYC program and AML production processes to changes in client population, evolving regulatory commitments, internal compliance requirements, and local legal frameworks across the designated countries.
• Impact Analysis & Mitigation: Lead comprehensive impact assessment sessions related to technology change requirements, operational procedures and processes, Citi external clients, Business Risk and Controls, ensuring that multi-country implications are thoroughly evaluated.
• Capacity Planning & Resource Allocation: Ensure adequate capacity planning, resource allocation, and workload prioritization across operations within the four countries, aligning with identified targets, Service Level Agreements (SLAs), and diverse regulatory and local Board commitments. Actively participate in management forums to establish vision and strategic direction for the global KYC Program.
• Program Management & Transformation: Lead complex AML KYC projects and transformation programs aimed at improving operational productivity, quality, and compliance. Manage critical project activities, inter-dependencies, risk components, progress communication, coordination, and collaboration across multi-country teams to meet global and local KYC commitments.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Directly engage global Core functions (e.g., Re-Engineering, Business Solutions and Support, Controls, and the Business Management Office) during CitiKYC (or other AML/KYC) initiatives, process improvement projects, CitiKYC (or other AML/KYC) system releases, and preparation of management reporting material relevant to multi-country operations.
• Risk Management & Compliance Culture: Appropriately assess risk in all business decisions, demonstrating particular consideration for the firm's reputation and safeguarding Citigroup, its clients, and assets. Drive compliance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations across all jurisdictions, adhering to Policy, applying sound ethical judgment regarding personal behavior, conduct, and business practices. Escalate, manage, and report control issues with transparency, effectively supervise the activity of others, and foster a culture of accountability.

Qualifications:

• 15+ years of extensive experience in financial services, with a significant focus on AML, KYC, and regulatory compliance operations.
• Proven experience in leading and managing large, multi-cultural, and geographically dispersed teams, specifically with direct oversight of operations across multiple countries.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex operational processes, drive AML production targets, and ensure quality control in a multi-country environment.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree/University degree or equivalent experience in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Master's degree optional.
• CAMS certification optional

Job Family Group: Operations - Services

Job Family: Business KYC

Time Type: Full time

Most Relevant Skills:

• Business Acumen
• Credible Challenge
• Laws and Regulations
• Management Reporting
• Policy and Procedure
• Program Management
• Referral and Escalation
• Risk Controls and Monitors
• Risk Identification and Assessment
• Risk Remediation

Other Relevant Skills: For complementary skills, please see above and/or contact the recruiter.

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