KYC Operations Senior Analyst

About the role

This Senior KYC Operations Analyst position represents a critical addition to the Senior Management Approval (SMA) team, a specialized unit responsible for managing high-risk customer onboarding and ongoing compliance. The primary function of this role is to serve as a senior-level decision-maker who evaluates complex financial crime risks. Success in this position requires a deep commitment to ensuring that all activities, from initial onboarding to continuous monitoring, strictly align with international regulatory standards and the internal policies of Wise. Individuals in this role are entrusted with the judgment necessary to handle escalated cases that demand a high degree of scrutiny, playing a vital part in maintaining the integrity of the company's customer lifecycle management process. The position requires a proactive stance in identifying emerging threats and implementing appropriate controls to mitigate potential harm, all while balancing stringent regulatory obligations with the need for operational efficiency.

What you'll do

Within the Senior Management Approval team, your core responsibilities will revolve around high-risk analysis, investigation, and advisory functions. You will be tasked with assessing high-risk customer profiles and transactions to determine if they meet the company's internal risk appetites, requiring a sophisticated understanding of risk-based decision-making. A significant portion of the role involves conducting deep-dive investigations, utilizing a variety of sources including external registries, company websites, and third-party vendor data to build a comprehensive picture of a customer's background.

You will be responsible for ongoing monitoring of customer behavior patterns, performing periodic reviews and identifying when account activity deviates from expected norms. When unusual behavior is detected, you will draft detailed Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) narratives that clearly articulate the financial crime risks involved. The role also necessitates direct communication with customers via phone, email, and chat to resolve documentation gaps or clarify specific points of concern.

Furthermore, you will act as a subject matter expert, providing guidance to front-line staff and peers regarding complex approval cases. Leading internal projects to improve standard operating procedures, training materials, and team processes is also a key responsibility, aimed at driving continuous improvement within the SMA unit. You will support both external and internal audits by providing necessary documentation and clear explanations, and you will mentor and coach other analysts to elevate the overall performance and capability of the team. Additional duties include evaluating the effectiveness of existing controls and recommending enhancements, synthesizing large volumes of data into concise summaries for senior leadership review, and collaborating with legal and product teams to ensure new initiatives comply with regulatory requirements. You will also perform transaction monitoring reviews to detect and investigate potential illicit activity, always challenging assumptions and verifying the accuracy of information before finalizing decisions.

Requirements

The candidate for this Senior Analyst role must possess a foundational professional background in financial crime compliance, demonstrated by a minimum of 1 year of professional experience in Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD), or a comparable role. A strong, applicable grasp of AML/CFT regulations is non-negotiable, as is the proven ability to apply a risk-based approach to decision-making in complex scenarios.

Given the international nature of Wise's operations, fluency in English - both written and verbal - is essential for effective communication and documentation. The role requires resilience and flexibility, as the successful candidate must be able to work a rotating shift schedule that includes weekends, public holidays, and evening hours. The capacity to work autonomously while adhering to strict Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in a fast-paced environment is crucial. Furthermore, a high degree of proficiency in interpreting legal and regulatory documentation is required, and the candidate must absolutely hold full, unrestricted right to work in Estonia. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and meet strict deadlines, along with strong attention to detail and accuracy in all aspects of work, are also mandatory requirements for this position.