Screening Adjudication Expert

Klarna; New York (NY); On-site; USD 140,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

Klarna is seeking a US Screening Adjudication Expert to own sanctions, PEP, and adverse media screening for the US market, including Section 314(a) of the USA PATRIOT Act. You will manage complex investigations, coordinate with our partner bank, and drive improvements with Product and Tech teams.

You will apply rigorous name-matching, stay current on regulatory changes, and ensure timely, accurate decisions under tight deadlines with strong audit trails.

Qualifications

• Experience in US sanctions screening, PEP, or adverse media investigations within fintech/bank/regulator environment.
• Breadth across at least two screening disciplines with ability to learn new areas quickly.
• Familiarity with OFAC regulations and US sanctions frameworks and their operational impact.

Responsibilities

• Own operational health of sanctions, PEP, and adverse media screening globally and for the US market.
• Conduct alert reviews and assessments to maintain end-to-end expertise for volume spikes or disruptions.
• Review and assess screening alerts using name-matching and contextual analysis.
• Coordinate with Klarna's US partner bank on processes and outputs.
• Perform complex investigations and support blocking, freezing, or reporting actions per regulations.
• Identify inefficiencies and design improvements with vendor, Product, and Tech teams, including AI/automation.
• Develop and maintain up-to-date SOPs for all screening processes.
• Track performance against SLA targets and flag risks to Compliance and Legal.
• Stay current on OFAC, FinCEN, EU/UN/UK sanctions and AML/CTF regulations.

Skills

Sanctions screening

PEP investigations

Adverse media

OFAC knowledge

USA PATRIOT 314(a)

AI & automation

Regulatory awareness

Audit readiness

Vendor coordination

Rapid decision making

Tools

World-Check

LexisNexis

Fircosoft

Job description

As a US Screening Adjudication Expert, you own Klarna's sanctions, PEP, and adverse media screening operations for the US market — and uniquely, you also carry direct responsibility for Klarna's obligations under Section 314(a) of the USA PATRIOT Act. Alert processing is handled by an outsourced vendor and, for certain activities, in coordination with Klarna's US partner bank, your role is to own the process, hold both parties to Klarna's standards, manage escalations, and personally handle the most complex or time-sensitive cases.

The 314(a) obligation is non‑negotiable: mandatory regulatory timelines demand someone with both precision and genuine process discipline.

Beyond compliance, this role is for a fast learner who brings senior‑level expertise and a transformative mindset — someone who spots what needs to change, builds the case, and drives it through.

What You'll Do

• Own the operational health of sanctions, PEP, and adverse media screening globally, and also for the US market, primary point of contact for the outsourced vendor and Klarna's US partner bank across all three disciplines
• Personally conduct alert reviews, PEP, sanctions, and adverse media assessments to maintain end‑to‑end expertise and ensure readiness to absorb volume spikes or vendor disruptions
• Review and assess sanctions screening alerts and Klarna's internal standards, applying sound name‑matching methodology and contextual analysis
• Coordinate with Klarna's US partner bank on sanctions/PEP‑related processes, information sharing, and operational alignment, quality‑checking outputs where applicable
• Conduct complex, in‑house investigations where the nature or sensitivity of the case requires it; support blocking, freezing, or reporting actions in accordance with applicable US and global regulations
• Identify inefficiencies across all three screening processes; design and implement improvements in collaboration with the vendor, Product, and Tech teams, including leveraging AI and automation
• Actively explore, test, and implement AI and automation solutions to improve screening throughput, decision consistency, and alert quality, working with Product and Tech to move from idea to production
• Own and maintain up‑to‑date SOPs for all sanctions, PEP, adverse media, and 314(a) processes, ensuring alignment with legal requirements and internal standards
• Track and report on screening performance against SLA targets, flagging risks and deviations early; liaise with US Compliance, Legal, and the MLRO function on regulatory developments
• Stay current on OFAC, FinCEN, and other US regulatory developments across screening disciplines, developments across EU, UN, UK, and other applicable sanctions regimes, AML/CTF regulation, and adverse media best practice feeding changes back into process and procedure
• Perform four‑eyes review of 314(a) submissions prepared by our vendor, verifying accuracy, completeness, and FinCEN compliance, and monitor execution against mandatory regulatory timelines
• Take ownership of complex or ambiguous 314(a) cases requiring deeper investigation, and elevate any risk of deadline breach or quality gap to Compliance and Legal immediately

What You Bring

• A minimum of 5 years of hands‑on experience in US sanctions screening, PEP, or adverse media investigations within a fintech, bank, or regulated financial institution
• Demonstrable breadth across at least two of the three screening disciplines (sanctions, PEP, adverse media), with a track record of quickly building expertise in new areas
• Demonstrable knowledge of OFAC regulations, US sanctions frameworks, and the operational implications for a payments business
• Familiarity with Section 314(a) of the USA PATRIOT Act and FinCEN information‑sharing obligations; hands‑on 314(a) execution experience strongly preferred. Strong knowledge of EU, UN, and UK sanctions regimes, AML/CTF regulatory requirements, and customer lifecycle risk frameworks is an asset
• Genuine curiosity about AI and automation, hands‑on experience using or implementing AI‑assisted tools in a compliance or operational context, or a clear track record of proactively adopting technology to solve real problems
• Exceptional energy, drive, and agency: you have a clear trajectory and are looking for the environment to accelerate it; your record shows you get there faster than anyone expects
• A senior specialist who unlocks capabilities the team does not have today, your experience materially changes what is possible, whether through deep technical knowledge, a new approach to automation, or expertise in a discipline we are building from scratch
• Proven ability to drive meaningful change, you have led or materially contributed to process improvements, not just flagged them
• Fast learner who absorbs new tools, regulatory developments, and process changes at pace, comfortable working in an environment that evolves quickly
• Experience working within or alongside a partner bank or regulated financial institution is an advantage
• Familiarity with screening and case management tools such as World‑Check, LexisNexis, Fircosoft, or equivalent, including name‑matching logic
• Highly organised with the ability to manage competing regulatory deadlines without compromising accuracy; detail‑oriented under pressure
• Strong written communication skills and a rigorous approach to audit‑trail documentation
• Self‑starter who takes ownership without waiting to be prompted, and who energises others around improvement
• Experience supporting audit or regulatory examinations is an advantage
• A relevant certification such as CGSS, CAMS‑FCI, CAMS, or equivalent is a plus

Klarna is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects our global customer base and to fostering a culture where everyone belongs.

We provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, parental status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and identities. We consider qualified applicants with criminal history for employment in accordance with state and local laws and “fair chance” ordinances. If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact [e-mail].

In accordance with applicable law, the salary range for this position is provided in the job posting. The salary offered will be determined by the candidate's location, qualifications, experience, and education. The salary range posted in the job advertisement refers to the base pay. Base pay is part of a total compensation package, which may also include equity rewards, monthly stipends for health and wellness, and benefits such as life insurance, medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents.