Deputy BSA Officer

There is a strong preference for candidates based in the San Francisco Bay Area, CA or New York, NY. Remote candidates with regular travel may be considered.

Our client is a rapidly growing global payments and merchant services platform operating at the intersection of financial technology, commerce, and compliance. The firm enables cross-border payments and merchant acquiring for a diverse global client base, backed by an international infrastructure and a deep commitment to regulatory excellence. As the company expands its U.S. operations, it is investing heavily in strengthening its financial crime compliance capabilities to meet the highest standards of oversight and trust across jurisdictions.

The Deputy BSA/AML Officer will serve as a senior strategic partner to the U.S. BSA Officer, playing a critical role in the ongoing design, execution, and enhancement of the firm’s U.S. AML and Counter‑Terrorist Financing (CTF) framework. This is an opportunity to join a high-growth, multinational environment and shape the compliance architecture of a global payments leader as it scales across the U.S. market.

The individual will oversee complex investigations, manage high-risk counter parties, and ensure the timely and accurate reporting of suspicious activity. They will also be instrumental in interpreting and operationalizing U.S. regulatory expectations across a globally integrated organization while balancing innovation and compliance in a fast-moving environment.

• Lead and manage complex investigations into potentially suspicious or unusual activity, ensuring thorough analysis, escalation, and documentation.
• Oversee the preparation, review, and submission of high-quality Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) and other BSA/AML regulatory filings.
• Conduct and advise on enhanced due diligence (EDD) for high-risk merchants, partners, and counter parties, including onboarding assessments and ongoing reviews.
• Drive ongoing partner and third‑party risk assessments, ensuring risk-based mitigation aligned with U.S. regulatory standards.
• Identify and assess emerging typologies and financial crime trends, recommending proactive control enhancements.
• Prepare for and support regulatory examinations, independent audits, and internal reviews.
• Lead remediation initiatives and strengthen governance frameworks following findings or risk assessments.
• Deliver BSA/AML training to management, employees, and the Board to foster a culture of compliance and accountability.
• Represent the U.S. program within global forums, ensuring alignment between local requirements and global operating models.
• Maintain all records required under the Bank Secrecy Act, USA PATRIOT Act, and related state and federal laws.

The successful candidate will be a seasoned financial crime professional with payments experience; someone who combines deep technical fluency in U.S. AML regulation with the ability to think globally and strategically. This individual will bring at least 10 years of experience in financial crime compliance, ideally within banking, payments, or fintech, and will demonstrate sound judgment, independence of thought, and a proactive approach to problem‑solving.

They will thrive in an environment that demands both precision and agility, operating as a trusted advisor to senior leadership and a credible representative before regulators. Exceptional communication skills, executive presence, and a track record of operational excellence are essential.

• 10+ years of experience in AML, Financial Crime, or Regulatory Compliance.
• Demonstrated success leading complex investigations and SAR oversight.
• Strong understanding of partner, correspondent, or merchant-related AML risks in global payments.
• Proven ability to build and scale compliance programs within high-growth or multinational organizations.
• CAMS or equivalent certification preferred.