Business Analyst

The Western Union Company; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The Western Union Company is seeking an analytics professional to join the FIU, leveraging data science to detect money laundering, fraud, and other financial crimes. You will build models, dashboards, and tools to empower investigators and leadership with actionable intelligence.

You will collaborate across compliance, legal, technology, and risk teams, and help adopt AI and automation to improve efficiency and governance. Strong SQL/Python skills required.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of advanced analytics, data science, or financial crime analytics experience.
• Experience building analytical models, risk scoring, or data-driven solutions.
• Proficient in SQL and Python or R; strong data visualization skills.
• Experience creating dashboards and reports with Tableau or Power BI.
• Ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and manage priorities.

Responsibilities

• Analyze transaction activity and customer data to identify risks and patterns.
• Develop analytical models, risk scoring, and ML solutions for detection.
• Create dashboards, automated reports, and case-support tools for investigators.
• Conduct network and relationship analyses to expose hidden connections.
• Translate findings into clear intelligence for stakeholders and leadership.

Skills

SQL

Python

R

Data analysis

Cross-functional

Education

Bachelor's degree in Data Science

Bachelor's degree in Statistics

Tools

Tableau

Power BI

Azure

AWS

GCP

Job description

Role Responsibilities

This position operates within Western Union's Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), a critical function within Enterprise Risk and Compliance responsible for identifying, investigating, escalating, and mitigating money laundering, terrorist financing, fraud, and other financial crime risks. You will work at the intersection of advanced analytics, data science, and compliance to support investigative teams through actionable insights, technology-enabled solutions, and data-driven decision making. Analyze transaction activity, customer information, and internal and external datasets to identify unusual patterns, emerging risks, and indicators of money laundering, terrorist financing, fraud, and other financial crimes. Develop analytical models, risk scoring methodologies, and machine learning solutions that enhance the detection of suspicious activity and improve investigative effectiveness. Create dashboards, visualizations, automated reporting, and case-support tools that enable investigators and compliance teams to make informed decisions. Conduct network and relationship analysis to identify hidden connections, patterns, and potential criminal activity across customers, transactions, and entities. Translate complex analytical findings into clear, actionable intelligence for investigators, compliance partners, leadership, and other stakeholders. Partner with compliance, legal, technology, risk, and investigative teams to support financial crime detection strategies and operational priorities. Support the integration and adoption of artificial intelligence, automation, and emerging technologies within FIU investigative and operational processes. Automate manual and repetitive analytical processes to improve efficiency, scalability, and consistency across FIU operations. Develop, maintain, and document analytical methodologies, models, procedures, and audit trails to support governance, regulatory expectations, and internal controls. Support departmental reporting, metrics, workforce planning, documentation, and other business operations activities that enhance organizational effectiveness. Contribute to cross-functional projects and continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen financial crime prevention capabilities and operational performance. Handle highly confidential and sensitive information with professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment.

Role Requirements

Basic Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Data Science, Business Analytics, Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Finance, Risk Management, Compliance, Economics, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience. 2+ years of experience in advanced analytics, data science, business analysis, financial crime analytics, compliance, risk management, financial services, banking, or a related field. 2+ years of experience working with large and complex datasets using SQL and Python or R. Experience developing analytical models, predictive models, risk scoring methodologies, or data-driven business solutions. Experience creating dashboards, reports, and data visualizations using Tableau, Power BI, or similar visualization tools. Experience conducting data analysis to identify trends, anomalies, risks, or operational insights. Experience documenting analytical methods, procedures, business processes, or project deliverables. Experience collaborating with cross-functional stakeholders to support business objectives and operational initiatives. Demonstrated ability to independently manage multiple priorities and deliver quality results within established deadlines. Professional English language proficiency, including reading, writing, and verbal communication. *Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Western Union will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position.

Preferred Qualifications: Experience supporting Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Counter Terrorist Financing (CTF), fraud prevention, sanctions compliance, financial investigations, or broader financial crime programs. Experience working within financial services, banking, payments, fintech, regulatory, law enforcement, or compliance-focused organizations. Experience with machine learning techniques, including supervised learning, unsupervised learning, anomaly detection, and predictive analytics. Experience performing graph, network, or link analysis to support investigations or risk identification. Experience with cloud-based analytics platforms such as Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud Platform. Experience leveraging artificial intelligence, automation, or emerging technologies to improve business processes, operational effectiveness, or investigative outcomes. Experience analyzing unstructured data, including reports, narratives, emails, alerts, or Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs). Experience developing business process documentation, policies, procedures, or governance materials. Advanced Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word skills. Relevant certifications in analytics, data science, financial crime compliance, fraud prevention, or risk management.

Workplace Option

HYBRID - Western Union values in-person collaboration, problem solving, and ideation whenever possible. We believe this fosters common ways of working and supports how we execute initiatives for our customers. The expectation is to work from the office a minimum of three days a week.

Location: 7001 E. Belleview Ave Denver, CO 80237

Benefits

You will also have access to short-term incentives, multiple health insurance options, accident and life insurance, and access to best-in-class development platforms, to name a few (https://careers.westernunion.com/global-benefits/). Please see the benefits below specific to your country. If applicable, additional role-specific benefits will be mentioned during your interview process or in an offer of employment.

Your United States specific benefits include: Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance Tuition Assistance Program Employee Discount Program Parental Leave 401K Plan

For residents of Colorado, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania: Please do not respond to any questions on this initial application that may seek age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You may also redact this information from any materials you submit during the application process. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

Salary

The annual base salary range is $80,000 to $100,000 USD per year. Total on-target compensation includes a base salary and short-term incentives that align with individual and company performance. Actual salaries will vary based on candidates’ qualifications, skills, and competencies.

Other Details

We are passionate about honoring our employee's identity and fostering a feeling of belonging. Our commitment is to provide an inclusive culture that celebrates the unique backgrounds and perspectives of our global teams while reflecting on the communities we serve. We do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, political affiliation, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, marital status, or veteran status. The company will provide accommodation to applicants, including those with disabilities, during the recruitment process, following applicable laws.

#LI-Hybrid Estimated Job Posting End Date: 10-13-2026