Deputy Head of FIU

Phaxis; New York (NY); On-site; USD 180,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A financial services firm in New York is seeking a Deputy Head of Financial Intelligence Unit to oversee transaction monitoring and investigative operations. The ideal candidate has over 5 years of AML experience and strong leadership skills, with proficiency in transaction monitoring platforms. This full-time role focuses on enhancing AML frameworks and requires excellent communication skills.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in AML, FIU operations, or financial crime investigations.
• Strong working knowledge of AML regulations and reporting.
• Prior leadership experience overseeing monitoring teams.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day AML workflows including transaction monitoring.
• Own the monitoring program and enhance systems.
• Direct investigative function and ensure timely SAR filing.

Skills

AML experience

Transaction monitoring platforms

Regulatory compliance knowledge

Leadership experience

Data analysis skills

Interpersonal and communication skills

Tools

Elliptic

Unit21

TRM Labs

Job description

Overview

Deputy Head of Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU)

We are looking for an experienced compliance leader to oversee transaction monitoring and investigative operations within our Financial Intelligence Unit. This role is key to safeguarding the firm against financial crime risks across both digital assets and traditional financial services. The position combines hands-on operational management with strategic program development, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards while driving continuous improvement in our Anti-Money Laundering framework.

Base pay range

$180,000.00/yr - $200,000.00/yr

Responsibilities

• Operational Oversight

  • Manage day-to-day AML workflows including transaction monitoring, investigations, and suspicious activity reporting.

  • Supervise escalations from internal stakeholders, regulators, and law enforcement (e.g., subpoenas, sanctions screening, 314(a)/(b) requests).

  • Maintain program documentation—policies, procedures, and guidance materials—ensuring they remain up to date and audit-ready.

  • Act as a senior point of contact during regulatory examinations and internal/external audits.

• Transaction Monitoring Leadership

  • Own the monitoring program, including model governance, calibration, and rule design.

  • Enhance systems such as TRM Labs, Elliptic, and Unit21 through data-driven analysis and ongoing optimization.

  • Establish and maintain monitoring documentation, procedures, and coverage assessments.

  • Oversee alert handling, case assignment, quality control, and deadline tracking.

  • Produce and present key metrics, performance updates, and trend analysis to senior management.

• Investigations & Reporting

  • Direct the investigative function, covering transaction monitoring alerts, sanctions escalations, negative news, and proactive reviews.

  • Ensure timely and accurate filing of Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) and related regulatory obligations.

  • Manage the case management system, balancing workload allocation and investigative quality standards.

  • Provide insights on typologies, case metrics, and risks to senior leadership.

• Risk & Emerging Threats

  • Monitor industry and regulatory developments to identify new and evolving financial crime risks.

  • Conduct horizon scanning to ensure the program anticipates enforcement priorities and market shifts.

  • Evaluate high-risk areas, including activity in stablecoin ecosystems and wallet clusters.

  • Translate investigative findings into strategic recommendations for system and program enhancements.

• Collaboration & Reporting

  • Deliver reporting packages on trends, alert volumes, and investigative outcomes for leadership.

  • Work with compliance and technology teams globally to align on standards, tools, and best practices.

  • Contribute to cross-departmental initiatives that strengthen overall compliance and financial crime prevention.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in AML, FIU operations, or financial crime investigations, preferably in fintech, crypto, or broader financial services.

• Direct experience with transaction monitoring platforms such as Elliptic, Unit21, or TRM Labs.

• Strong working knowledge of AML regulations, sanctions compliance, SAR/STR reporting, and regulatory expectations (e.g., FinCEN, OFAC, NYDFS Part 504).

• Prior leadership experience overseeing investigative or monitoring teams.

• Skilled in model governance, calibration, and validation, including alert tuning and quality assurance.

• Proficient in analyzing data, producing reports, and documenting compliance decisions.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with a track record of cross-functional collaboration.

Seniority level

• Director

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Finance