Financial Crime Transformation Lead

About the role

This role involves leading a multi-year initiative to enhance Airwallex's global financial crime framework as the company expands its products and regions. You will define the target operating model, refine processes and systems, and instill greater discipline in change management across financial crime compliance. This position acts as a central coordinator among senior leaders and various teams, ensuring practical, well-sequenced, and sustainable solutions.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Direct a global, multi-year financial crime compliance transformation covering operating models, processes, systems, testing, and controls.
• Develop and manage the roadmap, clearly outlining priorities, dependencies, and potential risks.
• Utilize AI, automation, and data tools to improve financial crime compliance program tracking, reporting, and delivery for complex global workstreams.
• Implement structured governance across working groups, steering committees, risk, assumption, issue, and dependency (RAID) logs, and executive updates.
• Collaborate directly with financial crime compliance and cross-functional leaders to translate complex issues into clear plans, decisions, and actions.
• Establish metrics for success, demonstrate progress, and facilitate a smooth transition into business-as-usual operations.

Requirements

• 10 years of experience leading large, multi-workstream transformation programs within financial services or fintech.
• Direct experience with financial crime program changes in areas like AML/CTF, sanctions, financial crime compliance operations, and monitoring and testing.
• Practical experience applying AI, automation, and modern tools to enhance program planning, reporting, and execution in complex environments.
• A history of delivering multiple global or multi-region programs at more than one complex institution.
• Highly organized, hands-on, and skilled at converting complexity into actionable steps.
• Strong executive presence, clear communication abilities, and a project management certification such as PMP or PRINCE2.

Nice to have

• Experience in fintech, payments, or digital banking, particularly in fast-paced, global settings.
• Background in consulting, regulatory remediation, or large-scale risk and compliance change.
• Strong proficiency with program management tools, dashboards, and executive reporting.

Skills & tools

• AI
• Automation
• Data tools
• PMP or PRINCE2 certification

Practical notes

This is a hybrid role based in New York. Airwallex values diversity and is an equal opportunity employer. If you require accommodation for a disability or special need, please inform us. Be aware that Airwallex will not request bank details, sensitive ID numbers, or payment during the application process. All official communications will come from an @airwallex.com email address.