Senior Vice President Compliance

Lesha Bank is searching for the greatest talent and brightest minds to contribute to the current growth phase at our bank. We are looking for top-tier individuals who are passionate and hungry to add value from day one. Every day at Lesha is different, presenting a new challenge with the opportunity to contribute and grow. We are looking for a Senior Vice President - Compliance.

They will oversee the compliance of the Bank with local Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Financial Terrorism (AML/CFT) laws and regulations set by the applicable regulatory bodies.

Managing the Compliance Program, in line with the Compliance Terms to achieve conformity with laws, regulations and Bank's policies and procedures.

Supervise and support department members in order to ensure proper execution of tasks, and provide the Bank employees with presentations and trainings to create awareness of AML/CFT compliance related issues.

Oversee daily management of Compliance Risk, projects, system and data management, Customer Acceptance, Sanctions and develop strategic directions for functional areas of responsibilities.

Maintaining the necessary infrastructure, tools and methodologies in the department and managing the resources accordingly for the Bank to execute its responsibilities in the areas below:

1. Compliance Risk assessment and monitoring program,
2. Monitoring and investigation,
3. Customer Acceptance,
4. Sanctions,
5. FI Due Diligence, Correspondent Bank Relations,
6. Systems and Data Management, Reporting,
7. Training and Development,
8. Projects.

Strategic Direction and Compliance Plan:

• Supporting the Compliance department in setting the department strategy and in ensuring its alignment with Bank strategies and objectives and with the laws and regulations.
• Providing input to Compliance team in preparation of the Annual Compliance Plan, setting, and reviewing objectives and business performance indicators for the purposes of improving Bank Compliance Department.

Compliance Risk Management:

• Establish a framework to identify, assess, monitor and control compliance risks within the Bank and businesses (including money laundering and regulatory risks). Report compliance risks and failures to the Head of Compliance to take necessary measures accordingly.
• Perform Risk Assessments on the bank's environment and raise findings as per bank adopted control and risk frameworks. Identify risks by using the information and analysis of Risk Matrix and maintain the department risk assessment to act proactively and timely against risks exposed.
• Conduct effective AML risk assessment and establish the compliance monitoring program covering AML monitoring and testing activities.
• Conducting tests and analyses of the bank's activities and provide recommendations on any observations resulting from non-compliance with effective and timely corrective action.
• Identify gaps, constraints, factors that lead to non-compliance and develop appropriate solutions to ensure compliance and oversee their application by the relevant departments.
• Review risk mitigation plans and follow up on the implementation of risk controls.
• Review new products as part of the AML sign-off process.

Compliance with AML/CFT Policies and Procedures:

• Set and implement a compliance plan for the Bank in coordination with concerned committees and central departments.
• Maintain adequate AML/CFT policies and procedures to ensure that the Bank's activities and processes are compliant with local AML/CFT laws and regulations, and with the International standard requirements.
• Coordinate with business and support functions to ensure adherence to compliance policies and procedures, in particular those relating to the KYC, anti-money laundering, anti-corruption and counter terrorism financing.
• Participate in the validation process of products and services, to ensure that they are compliant with local laws and regulations.

Clients Acceptance, Monitoring & Reporting:

• Review clients' accounts to ensure that they are documented in accordance with legal KYC standards. Monitor clients' activities to detect unusual or potentially suspicious transaction.
• Conduct investigations on critical information regarding a customer, an intermediary, a market, an activity or an employee, and report the results to the Management and related authorities.
• Monitor the clients' files review and participate in the confirmation of clients' acceptance.

Correspondent and Foreign Banks Inquiries:

• Respond to correspondents and foreign banks inquiries about customers and internal compliance policies and procedures, in coordination with operation departments and legal advisors, in order to ensure that the shared information respects the Bank's policy.
• Conduct due diligence for existing and/or new financial institution relationships on local and international cases providing recommendations and/or highlighting risks accordingly. This covers, but not limited to, correspondent banks, brokerage companies, financial intermediaries, etc.
• Control of AML questionnaires filled as requested by all international correspondent banks, while replying to their additional requests concerning AML, sanctions, due diligence, or other related inquiries.
• Review various investigations received to determine necessary preventive measures, where applicable.

Transaction Monitoring:

• Review and manage the AML Monitoring System alerts covering high value / suspicious transactions and screening alerts and validate the level of compliance with the bank's internal policies, best practice and applicable regulatory framework while corresponding to the nature and volume of business per client.
• Perform periodical AML review of executed deals to ensure satisfactory client KYC and CDD performed.
• Run periodic monitoring procedures on risky accounts to ensure all types of transactions executed are compliant with the set policies and procedures and correspond to the nature and volume of business per client.

Certification:

Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist.

Experience:

• Advanced level of knowledge in organization techniques and methodologies and banking operations, with emphasis in areas under specialization.
• A proven experience in people management, strategic planning, risk management, change management as well as in project management.
• Extensive experience in audit / compliance roles in various banking and financial services industry.
• Consultancy expertise in financial services compliance / regulatory background.
• Education: Bachelor's degree in law, finance, business administration, or a related field (Master's degree or professional certifications such as CAMS, CFA, or CPA preferred).
• Experience: Minimum of 4-6 years of experience in compliance within the banking or financial services sector
• Knowledge: Strong understanding of local and international regulatory frameworks, including AML, KYC, FATCA, and MiFID II within the QFCRA framework.