Sr. Director AML Chief of Staff and Transformation

Position Summary: (this position is hybrid, in office minimum 3 days per week)

The Sr. Director, BSA/AML Chief of Staff and Transformation, is responsible for assisting the Chief BSA/AML Officer in decision-making processes, acting as an advisor on BSA/AML & OFAC matters, reviewing, designing and executing improvements to internal processes and implementation of compliance program requirements, and ensuring company compliance with legal regulations and best practices. The incumbent will be responsible for the management (planning, organizing and implementation) of large complex strategic programs. These programs are typically highly visible initiatives with significant impact on business or product viability and ranging across multiple disciplines, businesses, and/or organizations.

The incumbent should have advanced skills in BSA/AML & OFAC compliance, finance, cross-cultural awareness, leadership, communication, influence, negotiation and conflict resolution. This role requires someone with excellent leadership skills, strategic thinking, and the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.

The Senior Director of BSA/AML Projects will report directly to the Chief BSA/AML Officer.

Job Description

The incumbent is responsible for overseeing and representing AML Compliance in  strategic initiatives impacting BSA/AML & OFAC compliance, managing strategic projects to effect change in the BSA/AML & OFAC program, communicating with different stakeholders in particular BSA/AML & OFAC Compliance, IT, Operations, Line of Businesses, and Independent Auditors, assisting in the preparation of budgets and financial reports, reporting on the health and overall program efforts with sound metrics and analytics, and facilitating Steering Committee and/or Executive Committee level program team status meetings and all other communications. 

The scope of projects may include, but is not limited to, system implementations, Target Operating Model implementations (including policy transpositions across departments), remediation of Internal/External Audit/Examiner recommendations, remediation of self-identified issues, any program enhancements as defined by senior management, etc. 

The incumbent will also be responsible for coordinating with HR to ensure effective staff recruitment and development for the program, managing relationships with third-party vendors, and coordinating independent testing requests for information/documentation.

The incumbent monitors activities to minimize the company's exposure to risk. Activities may include quantitative analysis, risk identification and remediation. Represents or supports the reputation of the company to minimize compliance and regulatory risk by resolving issues and ensuring adherence to company and legal standards. Responsible for ensuring that all of the company's activities adhere to the necessary rules and regulations, and that the company complies with legal/regulatory statutes and jurisdictions.

Essential Functions/Responsibility Statements:

• Directly accountable for managing a team.
• Provides strong leadership and guidance to senior management team.
• Provide advice and counsel to senior management on all AML questions/concerns.
• Reports and escalates all material deficiencies.
• Produce regular activity/status reports.
• Advise the Chief BSA/AML Officer, CCO, and senior management of any changes in business, regulation or market that may affect the business of the Firm.
• Develop, Manage or Support the AML Compliance Program in line with the risk profile.
• Develops, edits and executes project plans to manage the lifecycle and operational aspects of projects.
• Defines, develops and deploys standardized project management tools and templates to ensure projects are completed efficiently.
• Develops, edits and implements project plans to manage the lifecycle and operational aspects of projects (i.e., resources, scope, schedule, cost, assumptions and dependencies).
• Manages work streams, prepares status reports and interfaces with stakeholders to ensure strategy and execution are aligned with defined objectives.
• Coordinates and communicates the activities of project personnel with relevant stakeholders to ensure progress within time and budget constraints.
• Develops and implements training specific to project rollouts.

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education:

Required: Bachelor's Degree or equivalent work experience: Finance, Business or equivalent field

Preferred: Master's Degree Finance, Business or equivalent field.

Work Experience:

12+ Years Compliance, Legal, Regulatory, or Financial Services

Previous experience in AML, BSA, and/or OFAC required                         

Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated experience in senior compliance and/or operations management position within the securities or banking industry.
• Demonstrated experience managing a BSA/AML & OFAC Compliance Program.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning and execution
• Advanced understanding of Enterprise Compliance Risk Management and best practices.
• Excellent problem solving, analytical ability, oral and written communication skills.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented to manage multiple projects and timelines concurrently, ensuring all objectives are met on time.
• Knowledge of fiscal planning, budgeting, and reporting
• Ability to effectively communicate with senior management and Regulators.
• Superior leadership, supervisory, and customer service skills.
• Ability to negotiate and compromise.
• Ability to communicate and influence senior executive leadership.
• Ability to handle conflict resolution with other groups to ensure appropriate accounting guidance is followed.
• Ability to adjust to new developments/changing circumstances.
• Ability to effectively communicate and build relationships with multiple levels of the organizational structure, including senior level management.
• Ability to maintain and report on confidential information in an appropriate manner.
• Excellent analytical, organizational and project management skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Effective problem-solving abilities to quickly identify and address issues that could hinder the achievement of organizational goals.
• Ability to convey a sense of urgency and drive issues/projects to closure.
• Ability to effectively interact with the market, executive management and vendors.
• Ability to adapt and adjust to multiple demands and competing priorities exhibiting resilience and a capacity to handle a fast-paced, ever-changing work environment.
• Ability to direct, train and guide peers, subordinates and management.
• Strong strategic thinking abilities to provide guidance and insight on a wide range of business matters.
• Strong understanding of the organization’s industry, including its challenges, opportunities, and competitive landscape.

Diversity & EEO Statements:  At Santander, we value and respect differences in our workforce and strive to increase the diversity of our teams. We actively encourage everyone to apply.

Santander is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Employer Rights: This job description does not list all of the job duties of the job.  You may be asked by your supervisors or managers to perform other duties.  You may be evaluated in part based upon your performance of the tasks listed in this job description.  The employer has the right to revise this job description at any time.  This job description is not a contract for employment and either you or the employer may terminate at any time for any reason.

#LI - hybrid

Primary Location: Boston, MA, Boston

Other Locations: Massachusetts-Boston,Texas-Dallas

Organization: Santander Holdings USA, Inc.