Global Head of Client Screening

About this role:

We are seeking a seasoned and strategic leader to serve as the Global Head of Client Screening within our Financial Crimes organization. This role is critical to ensuring our firm maintains a robust and globally consistent approach to client screening, aligned with regulatory expectations and industry best practices. The successful candidate will oversee the end-to-end screening lifecycle, including sanctions, PEPs, adverse media, and other financial crime-related risks.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and lead the global client screening strategy, ensuring compliance with international regulatory frameworks (e.g., OFAC, EU, UN, FATF).

• Oversee the design and execution of screening policies, procedures, and controls across onboarding, periodic reviews, and event-driven processes.

• Partner with technology and data teams to optimize screening platforms, including alert generation, resolution workflows, and system tuning.

• Lead global screening operations, ensuring timely and accurate disposition of alerts and escalation of potential risks.

• Serve as a senior point of contact for regulatory inquiries, audits, and internal governance forums related to client screening.

• Monitor emerging risks, regulatory changes, and industry trends to proactively evolve the screening program.

• Drive innovation through automation, machine learning, and data analytics to enhance effectiveness and efficiency.

• Build and manage a high-performing global team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Strategic Leadership:

• Defining and executing a global client screening strategy aligned with the firm's risk appetite and regulatory requirements.

• Overseeing the design, implementation, and enhancement of client screening systems and processes

Team Leadership and Development:

• Leading, mentoring, and developing a global team of screening professionals.

• Fostering a culture of collaboration, continuous learning, and high performance.

• Ensuring adequate resources and expertise to meet screening demands.

Operational Oversight:

• Direct oversight of client screening operations, including sanctions, PEP (Politically Exposed Persons), and adverse media screening.

• Ensuring operational performance and effective controls are in compliance with AML/KYC regulatory requirements and internal policies.

• Monitoring and analyzing trends and patterns in screening alerts and dispositions.

• Implementing process improvements and leveraging technology to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Building strong relationships with internal stakeholders, including Compliance, Technology, Operations, Legal, and Business Development teams.

• Providing periodic reporting to senior management and the board on the status of the screening program.

Risk and Compliance Management:

• Proactively identifying and mitigating risks associated with screening & KYC

Required Qualifications:

• 8+ years of Business Execution, Implementation, or Strategic Planning experience, including Management or leadership experience, or equivalent experience demonstrated through one or a combination of the following: work experience, training, military experience, education

• 4+ years of management or leadership experience

Desired Qualifications:

• Proven leadership experience in a global or regional role within a financial institution.

• Strong understanding of screening technologies, data sources, and vendor platforms (e.g., World-Check, Dow Jones, LexisNexis).

• Demonstrated ability to navigate complex regulatory environments and manage cross-functional stakeholder relationships.

• Excellent analytical, communication, and decision-making skills.

• Experience in managing large-scale transformation or remediation programs.

• Familiarity with AI/ML applications in screening and alert optimization.

• Ability to influence