Head of Anti- Laundering; AML

A leading international banking institution is seeking a highly experienced Head of Anti-Money Laundering (AML) to lead and oversee the U.S. AML framework. This individual will serve as the designated BSA/AML Officer for the U.S. entity and be responsible for ensuring the bank maintains a robust, regulator-ready financial crime compliance program aligned with U.S. and global standards.

The successful candidate will have extensive experience engaging directly with U.S. regulators — including the Federal Reserve and the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) — and will be comfortable presenting to and advising the Board of Directors and executive committees on financial crime risk.

This is a critical, high-visibility role requiring both technical depth and executive gravitas.

• Serve as the designated BSA/AML Officer for U.S. operations.
• Lead all interactions with U.S. regulators, including the Federal Reserve, NYDFS, OCC (if applicable), and FinCEN.
• Own regulatory examinations, remediation programs, MRAs/MRIAs, consent orders (if applicable), and ongoing supervisory engagement.
• Provide regular reporting and risk updates to the Board of Directors and relevant Board Committees.
• Advise senior management on AML risk exposure and regulatory expectations.

• Design, implement, and maintain a comprehensive AML program consistent with the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), USA PATRIOT Act, OFAC requirements, and NYDFS Part 504.
• Oversee AML risk assessment methodology and ensure appropriate controls across products, geographies, and client segments.
• Ensure effective SAR governance, transaction monitoring, customer due diligence (CDD/EDD), and sanctions screening frameworks.
• Maintain policies, procedures, and controls aligned with evolving regulatory expectations and enforcement trends.
• Ensure effective model governance for transaction monitoring and sanctions systems.
• Oversee independent testing and internal audit remediation.
• Lead enhancements to systems, analytics, and financial crime technology infrastructure.
• Maintain effective issue management and control testing frameworks.

• Lead and develop a high-performing AML and financial crime compliance team.
• Partner with Legal, Risk, Operations, and Front Office to ensure alignment and accountability.
• Promote a strong compliance culture across U.S. operations.
• Provide training and strategic guidance to senior management and business heads.

• Minimum 15+ years of progressive AML/financial crime compliance experience within a large, complex financial institution.
• Prior experience as a BSA/AML Officer or Deputy at a Tier 1 or Tier 2 international bank.
• Direct experience managing regulatory examinations by the Federal Reserve and NYDFS.
• Demonstrated experience responding to MRAs, enforcement actions, or remediation programs.
• Strong working knowledge of BSA/AML laws, OFAC, NYDFS Part 504, and U.S. regulatory expectations.
• Proven experience presenting to Board-level committees and executive management.
• Experience operating within a global matrix organization preferred.
• Advanced degree (JD, MBA, or equivalent) preferred.
• CAMS or equivalent certification strongly preferred.

• Executive presence and credibility with regulators and Board members.
• Deep technical knowledge of AML regulatory frameworks.
• Strategic thinker with operational execution capability.
• Strong leadership and team-building skills.
• Calm and decisive under regulatory scrutiny.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills