Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) Officer & AML/Sanctions Team Lead

Kikoff; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Kikoff in San Francisco seeks an experienced BSA Officer to lead our AML and OFAC programs across a bank-partner network. You will design, implement, and operate the BSA/AML program, coordinating with regulators, sponsor banks, and a growing compliance team to scale controls as the company grows.

This high-impact role combines hands-on investigations with policy updates, training, and cross-functional collaboration across product, operations, and engineering.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of BSA/AML/OFAC compliance experience.
• Experience leading BSA/AML programs in bank, fintech, or sponsor-bank environments.
• Strong understanding of bank-fintech partnerships and sponsor bank oversight.
• Experience building or scaling transaction monitoring and sanctions screening programs.
• Proven people leadership in compliance roles.
• CAMS certification preferred.
• JD or regulatory background is a plus.
• Comfortable in a fast-paced startup environment.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Kikoff's BSA Officer with authority for BSA/AML compliance program.
• Lead and enhance the BSA/AML program including risk assessments, CIP, CDD/EDD, and monitoring.
• Oversee OFAC sanctions across products, screening, investigations, and escalation.
• Build, mentor, and lead a growing AML/sanctions team.
• Partner with sponsor banks and regulators on examinations and CIP reliance.
• Drive remediation of findings from examinations and audits.
• Collaborate with Data and Engineering to improve detection and reduce false positives.
• Develop and deliver company-wide BSA/AML and OFAC training.
• Present metrics and risks to leadership and Board when appropriate.
• Evaluate compliance implications of new products prior to launch.

Skills

BSA/AML/OFAC

Regulatory leadership

Transaction monitoring

People leadership

Startup environment

CAMS certification

Legal/regulatory background

Education

JD or regulatory background

Tools

Sardine

Alloy

Unit21

ComplyAdvantage

Job description

Kikoff: The Fintech Powering Financial Security at Scale

Kikoff is a profitable, pre-IPO fintech company on a mission to empower everyone to achieve financial security. With record revenue growth in 2025 and a unicorn valuation, we've built a suite of products that help millions of people build credit, access liquidity, and save money.

We're scaling fast. Join us if you want to build something meaningful and help millions of people move forward financially.

Why Kikoff

This is a consumer fintech startup, and you will be working with serial entrepreneurs who have built strong consumer brands and innovative products. We value extreme ownership, clear communication, a strong sense of craftsmanship, and the desire to create lasting work and work relationships. Yes, you can build an exciting business AND have real-life real-customer impact.

About The Role

Kikoff is seeking an experienced BSA Officer who will also serve as the leader of our AML and OFAC sanctions compliance function. Reporting to the Head of Compliance, you will own the design, implementation, and day-to-day operation of Kikoff's BSA/AML and sanctions program across our bank-partner ecosystem.

This is a highly impactful leadership role for someone who enjoys both building programs and remaining close to the work. You'll help shape our compliance strategy while also reviewing complex investigations, partnering with regulators and sponsor banks, and building a high-performing compliance team as Kikoff continues to grow.

What You'll Do

• Serve as Kikoff's designated BSA Officer, with authority and accountability for the BSA/AML compliance program under applicable regulations and sponsor bank requirements.
• Own and continuously enhance Kikoff's BSA/AML program, including:
  • Enterprise BSA/AML risk assessments
  • Customer Identification Program (CIP)
  • Customer Due Diligence (CDD) and Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD)
  • Transaction monitoring
  • SAR and CTR investigations, decisioning, and filing
  • Independent testing coordination
• Lead OFAC sanctions compliance across all Kikoff products, including customer and counterparty screening, ongoing rescreening, sanctions investigations, and escalation procedures.
• Build, mentor, and lead a growing team of AML and sanctions analysts and investigators.
• Serve as the primary compliance partner for sponsor banks and regulatory examiners on BSA/AML and OFAC matters, including coordination of CIP reliance arrangements.
• Lead regulatory examinations, internal audits, and bank partner reviews while driving timely remediation of findings and corrective actions.
• Evaluate and optimize transaction monitoring and sanctions screening systems by partnering with Data and Engineering teams to improve detection quality and reduce false positives.
• Develop and deliver company-wide BSA/AML and OFAC training, including specialized training for customer-facing, operations, and engineering teams.
• Present program metrics, emerging risks, and material compliance issues to executive leadership and, when appropriate, the Board or designated committees.
• Assess compliance implications of new products and features prior to launch, including AML, sanctions, and customer identification requirements.
• Maintain and update AML and sanctions policies in response to evolving FinCEN guidance, OFAC regulations, and sponsor bank expectations.

What We're Looking For

• 7+ years of progressive experience in BSA, AML, and OFAC compliance.
• Prior experience serving as a BSA Officer, Deputy BSA Officer, or equivalent leadership role at a bank, fintech, BaaS provider, or sponsor-bank program.
• Demonstrated experience leading regulatory examinations and remediating examination findings from federal or state regulators.
• Deep understanding of regulatory frameworks governing bank-fintech partnerships, including CIP reliance, third-party risk management, and sponsor bank oversight.
• Experience building or scaling transaction monitoring and sanctions screening programs, including implementation or optimization of solutions such as Sardine, Alloy, Unit21, ComplyAdvantage, or similar platforms.
• Proven people leadership experience with a track record of hiring, mentoring, and developing compliance professionals.
• CAMS certification (or equivalent) preferred.
• JD or comparable legal or regulatory background is a plus.
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced startup environment where you'll build processes while helping execute them.

Compensation

Base salary is location-based and will be determined by factors including market location (Phoenix or San Francisco), experience, skills, and qualifications. In addition to competitive cash compensation, this role is eligible for equity and a comprehensive benefits package.

Base Range

$120,000 - $200,000 USD

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Kikoff Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to complying with all federal, state, and local laws providing equal employment opportunities and considers qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sex, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, citizenship, or any other legally protected class.

Please reference the following for more information.