Senior Director, Fraud Prevention & Investigations

Do you have a passion for children and education? Would you like to positively impact families in need of help? We want to speak with you!

Step Up For Students empowers families to pursue and engage in the most appropriate learning options for their children.

Step Up For Students offers an excellent benefits package:

SUFS Total Rewards

Medical - HSA/FSA - Dental - Vision
Company Paid Disability - Life Insurance
401K Match - Tuition Reimbursement
Generous Time off Policy - Professional Development


JOB SUMMARY
The Senior Director, Fraud Prevention & Investigations, is responsible for leading the organization’s fraud risk management strategy, overseeing the prevention, detection, and investigation of fraudulent activities. This role develops and implements policies, procedures, and controls to mitigate fraud risks, manages a team of investigators and analysts, and collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. The Senior Director provides expert guidance on complex fraud cases, leverages data analytics to identify emerging threats, and drives continuous improvement in fraud prevention initiatives to protect the organization’s assets and reputation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
◦ Lead the development and execution of a robust, enterprise-wide fraud risk management strategy aligned with the organization's goals and risk appetite.
◦ Oversee day-to-day fraud operations, including detection, investigation, reporting, and resolution of internal and external fraud incidents.
◦ Design, implement, and maintain fraud-related policies, procedures, and control frameworks in compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
◦ Manage, mentor, and develop a high-performing fraud prevention and investigations team, ensuring effective resourcing and continuous skill development.
◦ Partner with the Chief Risk and Controls Officer to provide regular reporting on fraud risks, control effectiveness, incident trends, and remediation activities.
◦ Collaborate with cross-functional partners including Operations, Compliance, Internal Audit, IT Security, Finance, and Human Resources to enhance fraud controls and response capabilities.
◦ Leverage fraud analytics, monitoring tools, and data-driven insights to proactively identify, assess, and mitigate emerging fraud risks.
◦ Lead complex and high-impact fraud investigations and coordinate with law enforcement, regulators, and external partners as required.
◦ Promote enterprise-wide fraud awareness through training programs, communications, and cultural initiatives that reinforce ethical behavior and risk awareness.
◦ Maintain current knowledge of fraud typologies, industry best practices, and evolving regulatory and compliance requirements.
◦ Work closely with IT and Cybersecurity teams to design, implement, and optimize technology-enabled fraud detection and prevention solutions.
◦ Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and strong risk awareness across the Fraud Prevention & Investigations function.
◦ Provide strategic input into the design and enhancement of systems and tools supporting early fraud detection, case management, and management reporting.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
REQUIRED:
◦ Demonstrated success and a proven track record of professional/life experience in specific job functions, projects, industries or military service can substitute for professional experience and/or formal education requirements.
◦ 10+ years of progressive experience in fraud risk management, financial crime, and/or internal investigations.
◦ 5+ years in a leadership role, overseeing fraud prevention, investigations, or financial crime functions.
◦ Strong knowledge of fraud prevention frameworks, including digital fraud schemes, investigation methodologies, and applicable regulatory requirements.
◦ Demonstrated experience managing complex fraud investigations and implementing or enhancing fraud detection and monitoring systems.
◦ Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and decision-making skills, with the ability to influence at senior levels.
◦ High ethical standards and sound judgment, with proven ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.

PREFERRED:
◦ Experience in financial services, fintech, or highly regulated environments.
◦ Familiarity with fraud analytics platforms, AI-driven monitoring tools, and risk intelligence technologies.
◦ Strong project management and change management capabilities.
◦ Professional certification such as Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) or equivalent.

KEY COMPETENCIES
◦ Strategic thinking with the ability to design and implement enterprise-wide fraud prevention frameworks.