KYC/AML Manager

Grant Thornton Ireland; Makati; On-site; PHP 1,200,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Job summary

Grant Thornton Ireland is seeking a seasoned AML/KYC leader to drive a high-performing team responsible for account openings, ongoing reviews, and comprehensive risk assessments. You will oversee EDD for high-risk clients, ensure PEP/sanction screening, and manage investigation workflows with a focus on regulatory compliance and timely reporting.

You will mentor staff, optimize processes, and contribute to audit readiness, staying abreast of evolving AML/KYC standards across jurisdictions.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7+ years of experience in AML regulatory compliance.
• Deep knowledge of AML/KYC regulations, FATF recommendations and global standards.
• Experience in high-risk client identification, PEP, sanctions, and negative media screening.
• Proven ability to lead teams in compliance, AML, or related fields.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee AML/KYC team to ensure efficient assessments and reviews.
• Oversee documentation management for investor accounts and fund promoters.
• Manage High-Risk EDD processes for clients, investors and counterparties.
• Oversee PEP, sanction, and negative media screening and actions.
• Monitor financial transactions for suspicious activity and investigations.
• Supervise AML inquiries from clients and investors for timely resolutions.
• Direct the preparation and maintenance of AML reports for clients and investors.
• Ensure procedures stay updated with AML/KYC regulations and policies.
• Lead AML reviews and audits and support during the audit process.
• Drive process improvements to enhance efficiency and compliance.
• Develop training material and train team members.

Skills

AML Knowledge

Management Experience

Regulatory Expertise

Collaboration Leadership

Organizational Skills

Education

Bachelor's degree (business, law, accounting, finance)

Job description

Job Description

• Team Leadership & Oversight: Lead and manage the AML/KYC team to ensure efficient processing of AML/KYC assessments and reviews related to account openings and maintenance, provide subject matter expertise in assessing the risk of complex client structures, beneficial ownership, and other high-risk factors, and meet established deadlines.
• Documentation & Compliance Management: Oversee the tracking and management of pending AML/KYC documentation for investor accounts and fund promoters, ensuring all documentation is provided on time and meets regulatory standards.
• High-Risk Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD): Manage/ support the EDD process for high-risk clients, investors, and counterparties, ensuring all risk factors are appropriately assessed and mitigated.
• PEP, Sanction, and Negative Media Screening: Ensure screening for Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs), sanctions lists, and negative media, and actioning screening results.
• Transaction Monitoring: monitoring financial transactions for suspicious or unusual activity, and investigations into flagged transactions.
• Query Management: Supervise the resolution of AML-related inquiries from clients and investors, ensuring responses are timely, accurate, and in line with compliance requirements.
• Reporting & Analysis: Direct the preparation, review, and maintenance of AML reports, ensuring they are accurate and delivered to clients and investors within the required timeframes.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure that team procedures are continuously updated to stay in line with the latest AML/KYC regulations, financial crime prevention policies, and client-specific requirements.
• Audit & Review Support: Lead the preparation and participation in AML reviews and audits, ensuring that all regulatory and client requirements are met and providing support throughout the audit process.
• Process Improvement: Drive initiatives to improve team processes, enhance efficiency, and maintain high standards of compliance and risk management.
• Training: Participate in developing training material and provide training to team members within the department (including new hires).

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Team Leadership & Oversight: Lead and manage the AML/KYC team to ensure efficient processing of AML/KYC assessments and reviews related to account openings and maintenance, provide subject matter expertise in assessing the risk of complex client structures, beneficial ownership, and other high-risk factors, and meet established deadlines.
• Documentation & Compliance Management: Oversee the tracking and management of pending AML/KYC documentation for investor accounts and fund promoters, ensuring all documentation is provided on time and meets regulatory standards.
• High-Risk Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD): Manage/ support the EDD process for high-risk clients, investors, and counterparties, ensuring all risk factors are appropriately assessed and mitigated.
• PEP, Sanction, and Negative Media Screening: Ensure screening for Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs), sanctions lists, and negative media, and actioning screening results.
• Transaction Monitoring: monitoring financial transactions for suspicious or unusual activity, and investigations into flagged transactions.
• Query Management: Supervise the resolution of AML-related inquiries from clients and investors, ensuring responses are timely, accurate, and in line with compliance requirements.
• Reporting & Analysis: Direct the preparation, review, and maintenance of AML reports, ensuring they are accurate and delivered to clients and investors within the required timeframes.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure that team procedures are continuously updated to stay in line with the latest AML/KYC regulations, financial crime prevention policies, and client-specific requirements.
• Audit & Review Support: Lead the preparation and participation in AML reviews and audits, ensuring that all regulatory and client requirements are met and providing support throughout the audit process.
• Process Improvement: Drive initiatives to improve team processes, enhance efficiency, and maintain high standards of compliance and risk management.
• Training: Participate in developing training material and provide training to team members within the department (including new hires).

Desired Skills:

• Extensive AML Knowledge: In-depth understanding of AML regulations, laws, and industry best practices, both locally and internationally.
• Management Experience: Proven experience in managing or leading teams within compliance, AML, or a related field, with a focus on process optimization and staff development.
• Regulatory Expertise: Strong familiarity with AML/KYC compliance requirements, financial crime prevention practices, and how they apply to transfer agency operations.
• Collaboration & Leadership: Ability to work cross-functionally with various departments and lead a team effectively, fostering a cooperative and compliance-driven environment.
• Organizational Skills: Highly organized, proactive, with excellent time-management skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Additional Skills:

• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to manage and engage various stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong decision-making capabilities and the ability to drive change within a compliance framework.
• Ability to mentor and guide team members while managing performance and professional development.
• A proactive approach to problem-solving and driving continuous improvement in compliance operations.

Experience/Qualification

• Minimum 7+ years of experience in AML regulatory compliance, with a specific focus on AML periodic reviews, enhanced due diligence (EDD), transaction monitoring, and screening. .
• In-depth knowledge of the regulatory landscape affecting the funds sector, including AML/KYC regulations, FATF recommendations, and other relevant global regulations.
• Strong experience with high-risk client identification and management, including PEP, sanction, and negative media screening.

Qualifications/ Certifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, law, accounting, finance or a related field (preferred).
• Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (ACAMS) is highly desirable.