Head of Front KYC Advisory Team, Singapore

About the job

A dynamic and experienced leader to lead and oversee efforts to enhance the effectiveness and quality of Client Due Diligence (CDD) and Know-Your-Customer (KYC) frameworks. He or she will be responsible for implementing strategic improvements and initiatives in KYC reviews to ensure regulatory compliance, operational excellence, and sustainable risk management.

Tasks

• KYC Verification and Quality Management: Establish robust KYC verification frameworks in compliance with local regulations and guidelines
• Lead a team of KYC specialists who assist RMA representatives in preparing Source of Wealth (SOW) and Source of Funds (SOF) narratives
• Support front-office management/RMAs by providing guidance and training on KYC requirements
• Risk reporting in appropriate risk and management forums, escalation of identified problems and remediation status
• Contribution to process improvements, projects, initiatives, and knowledge sharing within the onboarding and KYC teams

Employee management and cooperation

• Collaborate with key stakeholders, including front-office, compliance, and onboarding teams, to implement high-quality CDD processes
• Regional knowledge and best practice sharing with HK counterparts
• Educate front office staff about KYC standards and promote a culture of risk ownership
• Communicate clear requirements, critical issues, and progress updates to senior management as necessary.
• Act as a contact person for 2LOD, internal/external auditors, and regulatory authorities, if necessary

Management and leadership

• Lead and inspire a high-performing team of KYC specialists
• Set clear goals, implement performance measurement frameworks, and foster a culture of risk ownership.
• Effectively manage team capacities, including recruitment, coaching, and handling performance issues to maintain strong execution momentum

Requirements

• Excellent analytical, conceptual, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills, as well as a high degree of flexibility and adaptability to change
• Strong personality with a robust ethical compass and consistency in handling challenging situations
• University degree or equivalent education in banking and/or finance
• At least 10 years of professional experience in KYC/CDD, AML, compliance, financial crime remediation, including large-scale remediation or enhancement programs
• Strong ability to interact with senior management, build trusted partnerships, provide informed opinions, and present relevant solutions
• Strong technical knowledge of KYC risk assessment, SOW/SOF correlation, and financial crime compliance standards
• Strong people skills with the ability to set and prioritize goals and tasks