High Risk Assessment Team Lead

Company Description

Wise is a global technology company, building the best way to move and manage the world’s money.
Min fees. Max ease. Full speed.

Whether people and businesses are sending money to another country, spending abroad, or making and receiving international payments, Wise is on a mission to make their lives easier and save them money.

As part of our team, you will be helping us create an entirely new network for the world's money.
For everyone, everywhere.

More about our mission and what we offer.

Job Description

We’re looking for an energetic and experienced Team Lead to join our growing High Risk Assessment team in Austin, Texas. This role is a unique opportunity to develop a high performing team, while leveraging your knowledge and experience to help millions more potential customers save money by using Wise!

The High Risk Assessment team has a working understanding of inherent risks associated with complex business structures and activities, customer types, country risks and their respective mitigation measures. The investigation accommodates any legal, regulatory and operating requirements unique to specific business sectors or jurisdictions. 

The High Risk Assessment Team Lead is a people lead with a mindset that allows them to build processes that put our customers first while being aware of the risks surrounding the industry, specific products, and requirements set to us by regulations and partners.

The primary purpose of this position is to lead a team of specialists who evaluate and assess high risk customers, mitigate risks associated with them, while ensuring compliance with the established AML/CFT regulations, policies and Wise’s risk appetite.

People leading

• Hire, lead, develop and manage a High Risk Assessment team, including amongst others administrative tasks such as scheduling, interviewing, hiring etc;

• Organise team activities and maintain a high team morale;

• Measure team performance, KPIs, plan capacity and maintain focus on the customer experience as well as regulatory/ audit requirements;

• Foster the learning, development, and career trajectory of analysts on your team and perform regular talent mapping review sessions;

Processes / Project management

• Develop client risk-mitigation strategies and solutions by having an in-depth understanding of their risks, drafting risk-based proposals, overseeing the implementation of said strategies, and tracking efficacy/performance;

• Be accountable for quality assurance of the investigations performed, making decisions within our policy framework and working with compliance to evolve both our policies and processes;

• Develop effective operational processes, task allocation, training, and performance management to deliver a great customer experience;

• Understand and manage training the team on our regulatory obligations, how our policies fulfil them and our risk-based approach to deterring and preventing money laundering and financial crime;

• Work with product teams, business development, adjacent compliance teams, and financial crime operational teams to manage and mitigate inherent risks;

• Manage the operational impact of changes and identify opportunities to improve the customer experience and operational efficiencies;

• Ensure appropriate documentation of new processes, procedures, workflows and methodologies;

• Tackle other ad hoc duties. 

Domain expertise

• Be able to represent policies, processes and auditable investigation work to regulators and auditors;

• Communicate with customers as required to handle escalated or complicated cases with strong customer empathy as well as clear communication of decisions and policies; 

• Stay up to date on new regulations and ensure continual best practices across the transaction monitoring investigative process are effective

• Be able to “roll up the sleeves” and perform basic aspects of your team’s work

Qualifications

• You have very good verbal and written English, any other languages are a plus;

• You have a good understanding of the regulatory framework as well as KYC/AML procedures surrounding financial products and services;

• You are operating and leading according to the company values;

• You have great communication and presentations skills, to support internal and external projects and audits;

• You have strong analytical skills and ability to move team’s metrics/KPIs;

• You have proven track record of taking individual ownership and responsibilities, project management as well as being a great team-player;

• You have previous work experience in the financial sector or similar (that has given you an understanding of the relevant regulatory landscape);

• You are familiar with money laundering methods and other financial crime trends; 

• You have the ability to multitask, take responsibility in challenging situations and work well in uncertainty;

• You work autonomously within a limited variety of well-defined procedures and practices (not necessarily standardised);

• You have at least Bachelor’s degree or higher

• You ideally have team leading experience or are/have been in a senior agent/specialist role and are ready to take the next step in your career path. 

Additional Information

What we offer:

• RSU's in a rapidly growing company

• An annual self-development budget

• Medical, dental, & vision insurance – including HSA and FSA options

• Company-paid: Life Insurance, Short & Long-Term Disability, and an EAP program

• Flexible working model – a mix of working from home and from the office

• Relocation expenses covered

• 25 days PTO, 15 sick days, 11 holidays, 5 compassionate leave days, 3 paid “Me” days and a paid volunteer day, annually

• A paid 6-week sabbatical leave after four years

• 18-weeks of paid parental leave, after a year with us

• 401k with up to a 4% employer match

• 2025 Austin BuiltIn Best Award winner for Best Places to Work and Best Large Places to Work

For everyone, everywhere. We're people building money without borders — without judgement or prejudice, too. We believe teams are strongest when they are diverse, equitable and inclusive.

We're proud to have a truly international team, and we celebrate our differences.
Inclusive teams help us live our values and make sure every Wiser feels respected, empowered to contribute towards our mission and able to progress in their careers.

If you want to find out more about what it's like to work at Wise visit Wise.Jobs.

Keep up to date with life at Wise by following us on LinkedIn and Instagram.