Manager, Complex Investigations: AML & Sanctions

Pathward; United States; Hybrid; USD 72,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual incentive

Health insurance

401(k) retirement benefits

Paid time off

Job summary

Pathward is seeking a Manager, Complex Investigations Unit to lead a team of investigators across AML, sanctions, and fraud domains. You will ensure high-quality, timely, and defensible outputs, escalating complex cases to senior leadership and driving training to enhance narrative quality and compliance.

The role requires 7+ years in investigations, a CAMS qualification preferred, and strong people leadership. This hybrid role offers a competitive salary and benefits package.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required (Finance, Criminal Justice, Accounting, Business or related field).
• CAMS or equivalent AML certification strongly preferred.
• 7+ years of BSA/AML, Sanctions, or Fraud investigations experience, including SAR decisioning and filing.
• 2+ years of direct people management experience, including coaching, performance management, and talent development.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex, high‑risk typologies and multi‑account or multi‑entity investigations.
• Working knowledge of transaction monitoring systems (e.g., Actimize, FCRM) and watchlist/screening tools (e.g., Bridger).
• Demonstrated success defending investigative decisions in audit, exam, or regulatory settings.
• Strong writing and communication skills, including the ability to review and elevate SAR narrative quality and to present results to senior leadership.

Responsibilities

• Manage the intake, assignment, and resolution of complex and high-risk investigations across products and customer types, including multi‑account, multi‑entity, and cross‑product matters.
• Serve as the day‑to‑day escalation point for urgent or high‑severity matters, elevating to the VP, Complex Investigations where senior leadership awareness or immediate action is required.
• Apply and enforce established escalation and routing criteria, including handling of repeat SAR subjects, continuing activity, and examiner‑audit‑, or enforcement‑referred matters.
• Ensure appropriate identification of subjects, activity scope, and risk exposure across the unit’s caseload.
• Identify emerging typologies, thematic issues, and potential control gaps surfaced through casework and elevate with supporting analysis and recommendations.
• Directly manage a team of Complex Investigations Analysts; assign work, manage capacity and coverage, and balance inventory against aging and regulatory timeliness requirements.
• Partner with People and Culture on hiring and staffing for the unit, including requisitions, interviews, and selection.
• Set performance expectations, conduct 1:1s and performance reviews, and deliver coaching and development plans; address performance issues with timely documentation and escalation.
• Build team capability through structured onboarding, ongoing coaching, and targeted training on typologies, investigative methods, and narrative quality.

Skills

BSA/AML investigations

SAR decisioning

Leadership

Regulatory writing

Cross-functional collaboration

Coaching and development

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance/Criminal Justice/Accounting/Business

Tools

Actimize

FCRM

Bridger

Job description

Pathward is seeking a Manager, Complex Investigations Unit to lead a team of investigators across AML, sanctions, and fraud domains. You will ensure high-quality, timely, and defensible outputs, escalating complex cases to senior leadership and driving training to enhance narrative quality and compliance.

The role requires 7+ years in investigations, a CAMS qualification preferred, and strong people leadership. This hybrid role offers a competitive salary and benefits package.