AML Compliance Manager - Taguig, Pilipinas - Baker McKenzie

Paglalarawan

The AML/KYC Compliance Manager will effectively manage the AML/KYC teams and operations within the New Business Intake (NBI) department. The AML/KYC Compliance team is responsible for activities such as AML and Sanctions screening, beneficial ownership research, risk assessment, and document verification for new and existing client and matter registrations, in addition to ongoing monitoring and periodic review. The manager should provide an efficient and effective service to In-Market personnel, to ensure compliance with ethical, legal, and regulatory requirements.

The manager will be responsible for managing several AML/KYC staff in the Center, ensuring all team members perform to the highest level and adhere to Firm policies and procedures.

Responsibilities:

• Service delivery for AML/KYC in Centres, ensuring high-quality output from the Centre team
• Develop work management strategies in partnership with the AML/KYC Service Owner ensuring SLAs and KPIs are maintained, trends are identified, and volumes managed effectively
• Leverage dashboards and available reporting to maintain daily oversight of requests, measure analyst productivity, assess right-first-time rates, and develop any required actions based on findings
• Be directly involved in the team's operations and lead by example
• Undertake AML and Sanctions screening, beneficial ownership research, risk assessment, document verification, ongoing monitoring, and periodic review where necessary, and guide the team and In-Market personnel on these topics
• Monitor office right-first-time rates to identify issues, trends, or training needs, providing feedback to the Service Owner to allow for follow-up engagement to mitigate risk and quality issues
• Deal directly with In-Market queries, providing support for more junior members of staff
• Provide expert guidance concerning AML/KYC regulations, processes, and procedures, and collaborate with relevant in-market teams and team members to ensure understanding and compliance
• Contribute towards AML/KYC process improvement and simplification
• Ensure adherence across the team with AML/KYC regulation, policy and guidance, and Firm standards
• Responsible for the training and development of team members, ensuring training conducted at a Center level is aligned with agreed functional and service processes and procedures
• Support analysts in their roles and support departmental performance and success through technical and critical skills training; identify training needs and work with the team to ensure they have the training and support required to perform competently in their roles
• Responsible for new hire activities in the Centre, including but not limited to induction activities, recruitment, probationary reviews, updating the Service Owner on the progress of each
• Support and contribute towards change management efforts where necessary, for example, policy, business, and/or technology changes or updates
• Provision of advice, mentoring, and training on compliance with relevant laws, including Anti-Terrorist Financing/Anti-Money Laundering/Know Your Client issues, NBI and Firm policies and procedures
• Work with the Service Owner to develop and implement quality assurance reviews ensuring all team members receive constructive feedback, with a view to continuous improvement and excellent service delivery
• Performance Management responsibilities are an important aspect of the role; hold regular one-to-one meetings with team members and contribute towards performance management; work with peers and the manager to ensure objectives, benchmarks, and performance expectations are aligned across the AML/KYC department and are consistently applied
• Responsible for personnel and administrative matters, including but not limited to resourcing, overtime, attendance, and staff training; coordinate assignments, compile and develop operational reporting and other administrative duties
• Provide feedback to the Service Owner on issues, trends, training needs, enhancements, and support in drafting and actioning any required next steps
• Assist with complex queries, including escalation decisions
• Meet regularly with Escalate review teams and other stakeholders to gather feedback on Center performance, and in collaboration with the Service Owner develop actions as necessary
• Liaise closely with managers across the NBI department, gaining an understanding of wider team activities such as Conflicts and Intake
• Coordinate activities with system vendors, providing regular feedback, documenting requirements, or raising issues where necessary to ensure operational and process effectiveness
• Update and create policies, procedures, and standards as requirements change or as a result of other trigger events
• Promote the Firm values of collaboration and a culture of friendship amongst the team
• Build trusted relationships with key internal stakeholders; Partners, PAs, local AML Compliance Managers, and NBI management, displaying SME knowledge and acting as a key contact for AML/KYC queries/topics
• Act as a point of contact for internal testing and audit requirements
• Collaborate with management and counterparts across other Centers to deliver team projects and initiatives that are aligned with and contribute towards departmental objectives
• Assist with any other AML Compliance related matters or projects as identified and assigned by the AML/KYC Service Owner

Skills and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree required
• A recognized AML/Compliance qualification is desirable but not essential
• Proven experience working in a professional services environment within an AML/KYC role
• Management experience with proven ability to build and lead a successful team
• AML/KYC SME with a strong knowledge and understanding of AML/CTF/Sanctions regulations and requirements, and financial crime risks associated with the range of services in the legal industry
• Experience with AML/KYC/Due Diligence processes, vendors, and systems
• Strong communication, collaboration, and organizational skills. A self-starter, who can influence decision-making for the benefit of the service and firm
• Exceptional problem-solving, critical thinking, and analytical skills
• Strong decision-making capabilities
• Highly self-motivated, independent, and proactive approach
• Proven ability to multi-task and work well under pressure, prioritize workloads, and work to tight deadlines
• Positivity and the adoption of a solution-based approach in all aspects of work
• Must have good knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and other productivity tools (Intapp knowledge is an advantage)
• Ability to manage processes efficiently, with accuracy and attention to detail
• Ability to contribute ideas for process improvements and adapt easily to a changing environment
• Flexibility to work a reasonable shifting schedule is required