Suspicious Activity Reporting Specialist

Barclays; New Jersey; Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Barclays is seeking a Suspicious Activity Reporting Specialist in Whippany, NJ to provide independent second-line oversight and quality control of SAR processes across Barclays U.S. operations.

The role involves reviewing SAR investigations, improving narratives, and strengthening controls to meet FinCEN and BSA/AML standards. You will collaborate with Compliance, Operations, Audit, and Technology to drive regulatory excellence and risk management, while ensuring high-quality SAR reporting and

Qualifications

• Experience in AML, Financial Crime Compliance, SAR reporting, or investigative functions.
• Knowledge of BSA/AML regulations, FinCEN guidance, and SAR filing requirements.
• Hands-on experience reviewing, drafting, editing, or quality-controlling SARs.

Responsibilities

• Lead investigations into violations of policies, regulations, or laws.
• Provide training to enhance awareness of compliance issues and ethical conduct.
• Document investigation processes and provide recommendations for corrective actions.
• Utilise data analytics to improve investigation efficiency and effectiveness.
• Fulfil external regulatory reporting obligations when applicable.

Skills

AML experience

BSA/AML knowledge

SAR drafting

Second-line oversight

Analytical skills

SAR writing

Job description

Join us as a Suspicious Activity Reporting Specialist, where you will provide independent second-line oversight and quality control of Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) processes across Barclays U.S. operations. In this role, you will review SAR investigations and filings to ensure compliance with FinCEN guidance, BSA/AML regulations, and internal standards. You will challenge investigative and reporting decisions, enhance SAR narratives, and identify opportunities to strengthen controls and improve reporting quality. Working closely with stakeholders across Compliance, Operations, Audit, and Technology, you will help drive regulatory excellence, process improvement, and effective financial crime risk management.

To be successful as a Suspicious Activity Reporting Specialist, you should have:

• Experience in AML, Financial Crime Compliance, SAR reporting, quality control, or investigative functions
• Knowledge of BSA/AML regulations, FinCEN guidance, and SAR filing requirements
• Hands‑on experience reviewing, drafting, editing, or quality‑controlling SARs and investigative casework

Other highly valued skills include:

• Experience in second‑line oversight, audit, regulatory engagement, or quality assurance environments
• Analytical and investigative skills with exceptional attention to detail and sound judgment
• Written communication skills with the ability to review and enhance SAR narratives and influence stakeholders across all levels

This role is located in Whippany, NJ.

Minimum Salary: $110,000

Maximum Salary: $135,000

The minimum and maximum salary/rate information above includes only base salary or base hourly rate. It does not include any other type of compensation or benefits that may be available.

Barclays employees are eligible for a suite of competitive and generous employee benefits, including medical, dental and vision coverage, 401(k), life insurance, and other paid leave for qualifying circumstances.

This position is eligible for an incentive award.

Purpose of the role

To conduct investigations into various aspects of the bank’s operations and/or conduct of individuals to identify and address potential instances of non‑compliance, fraud, misconduct, or other unethical behaviour, that harms or is likely to harm the reputation or financial well‑being of the firm or may lead to legal and/or regulatory censure.

Accountabilities

• Identification and evaluation of potential risks associated with non‑compliance or unethical conduct and implement risk mitigation strategies.
• Leading the investigations into alleged violations of policies, regulations, or laws.
• Provision of training programs to enhance awareness of compliance issues and ethical conduct among colleagues.
• Documentation of investigation processes and provision of recommendations for corrective actions and improvements based on investigation findings.
• Utilisation of advanced technology and data analytics tools to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of investigations.
• Utilisation and assessment of relevant internal and external information and intelligence in furtherance of the investigation.
• Where applicable, fulfilment of any necessary external legal and/or regulatory reporting obligations.

Assistant Vice President Expectations

• To advise and influence decision making, contribute to policy development and take responsibility for operational effectiveness. Collaborate closely with other functions/ business divisions.
• Lead a team performing complex tasks, using well developed professional knowledge and skills to deliver on work that impacts the whole business function. Set objectives and coach employees in pursuit of those objectives, appraisal of performance relative to objectives and determination of reward outcomes
• If the position has leadership responsibilities, People Leaders are expected to demonstrate a clear set of leadership behaviours to create an environment for colleagues to thrive and deliver to a consistently excellent standard. The four LEAD behaviours are: L – Listen and be authentic, E – Energise and inspire, A – Align across the enterprise, D – Develop others.
• OR for an individual contributor, they will lead collaborative assignments and guide team members through structured assignments, identify the need for the inclusion of other areas of specialisation to complete assignments. They will identify new directions for assignments and/ or projects, identifying a combination of cross functional methodologies or practices to meet required outcomes.
• Consult on complex issues; providing advice to People Leaders to support the resolution of escalated issues.
• Identify ways to mitigate risk and developing new policies/procedures in support of the control and governance agenda.
• Take ownership for managing risk and strengthening controls in relation to the work done.
• Perform work that is closely related to that of other areas, which requires understanding of how areas coordinate and contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the organisation sub‑function.
• Collaborate with other areas of work, for business aligned support areas to keep up to speed with business activity and the business strategy.
• Engage in complex analysis of data from multiple sources of information, internal and external sources such as procedures and practises (in other areas, teams, companies, etc).to solve problems creatively and effectively.
• Communicate complex information. 'Complex' information could include sensitive information or information that is difficult to communicate because of its content or its audience.
• Influence or convince stakeholders to achieve outcomes.

All colleagues will be expected to demonstrate the Barclays Values of Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence and Stewardship – our moral compass, helping us do what we believe is right. They will also be expected to demonstrate the Barclays Mindset – to Empower, Challenge and Drive – the operating manual for how we behave.