Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Pathward is a financial empowerment company focused on expanding financial access through responsible and secure financial products. The Vice President, BSA/AML Operations – Cases leads and oversees Suspicious Activity Monitoring case investigations, ensuring compliance with BSA/AML regulations and OCC expectations. The role manages investigative operations, governance, reporting, risk remediation, technology optimization, and talent development.
Responsibilities
- Provides direct oversight of managers responsible for SAM case investigations, enhanced due diligence, and escalation activities
- Oversees case investigations generated through Actimize and FCRM transaction monitoring systems, as well as manual referrals
- Manages operational performance across case volumes, aging, investigation quality, and regulatory responsiveness, ensuring adherence to established SLAs and quality standards
- Serves as a key operational leader within Pathward’s Financial Crime Compliance (FCC) Program, partnering closely with Compliance, Technology, Data Analytics, Program Management, and Assurance functions
- Support the development, implementation, and maintenance of comprehensive BSA/AML policies, procedures, and controls
- Assist in overseeing various components of the BSA/AML program including customer due diligence, sanctions screening, AML and sanctions screening, and suspicious activity reporting, where applicable
- Participate in risk assessments to identify and evaluate BSA/AML risks across products, services, customers, and geographic locations
- Collaborate with senior leadership to develop and execute strategic initiatives that enhance program effectiveness
- Ensure cases are investigated, documented, and dispositioned in accordance with Pathward policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements
- SAM case investigations and dispositions
- Identification of suspicious activity and preparation of SAR referrals for the SAR Filing function
- CTR accuracy and timeliness
- Escalation of investigations requiring Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD)
- Ensure timely, complete, and defensible responses to:
- 314(a) information requests
- Law enforcement inquiries
- Subpoenas and regulatory requests
- Develop, maintain, and report key risk indicators (KRIs) and key performance indicators (KPIs) for management committees and the Board, including:
- Case volumes and aging
- SLA performance and exceptions
- SAR referral and investigation outcome trends
- Staffing capacity and productivity
- Emerging typologies and risk trends
- Translate operational data into clear, risk‑focused narratives aligned with OCC expectations for senior management and Board oversight
- Lead root cause analysis for operational issues, trends, or findings, including:
- Assessment of existing controls and their effectiveness
- Identification of control gaps and needed enhancements
- Recommendation of risk‑based remediation actions
- Ensure root cause analysis supports sustainable remediation and aligns with Pathward’s enterprise risk management framework
- Partner with FCC Program Management, Data Analytics, and Technology Assurance to:
- Support tuning and optimization of SAM rules and scenarios
- Evaluate alert quality, false positives, and risk coverage
- Ensure rule changes and system enhancements are appropriately governed, tested, and documented
- Develops corporate and/or organizational policies and authorizes their implementation. Detailed knowledge of company allows for innovative concepts and promoting new ideas. Provides direction to senior managers in various areas, groups, and/or operations. Recognized as an influential leader. Ensure SAM‑related policies, procedures, and investigation standards remain current, accurate, and aligned with regulatory guidance and operational practice
- Consistently works with abstract ideas or situations across functional areas of the business. Through assessment of intangible variables, identifies and evaluates fundamental issues, providing strategy and direction for major functional areas. Requires in-depth knowledge of the functional area, business strategies, and the company’s goals
- Directs and controls the activities of one or more functional areas, divisions, product groups or service areas through senior managers who have overall responsibility for the successful operation of those assigned areas. Establish and maintain a strong training, quality assurance, and mentorship framework for managers and analysts. Promote a culture of accountability, consistency, and continuous improvement across SAM Case Operations
Skills
- Bachelor's degree required
- Extensive experience in BSA/AML operations, financial crimes investigations, and SAM programs within a regulated financial institution
- Demonstrated leadership experience managing managers and large investigative teams
- Strong working knowledge of Actimize, FCRM, and enterprise transaction monitoring systems
- Proven ability to engage effectively with regulators, auditors, and senior leadership
- Exceptional analytical, communication, and organizational skills
- Advanced degree or professional certifications (e.g., CAMS) preferred
Benefits
- This role is also eligible for an annual performance-based incentive opportunity.
- Health insurance
- 401(k) retirement benefits
- Life insurance
- Disability benefits
- Paid time off
- We have a hybrid, remote-office company dedicated to growing our talent anywhere!
Company Overview