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 life 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. 

We’re looking for a High Risk Approval Senior Lead to join our KYC team in Tallinn!

The main purpose of the team is to onboard and perform a Senior Management review on customers who have been defined as higher risk and making sure we fulfil our KYC regulatory requirements globally. This role is a unique opportunity to have an impact on Wise’s mission, grow as a leader and help save millions more people money. 

A bit about the role: 

The High Risk Approval Senior Lead is a strong leader who is able to unlock Wise for our high risk customers by following our internal policies and fulfilling regulatory guidelines globally. This lead will have a mindset which creates a vision to build and execute processes that put our customers first while being aware of the risks surrounding high risk customer onboarding, our products, and the requirements set to us by regulations and partners.

They will be collaborating heavily with relevant product, compliance and operational teams to ensure the implementation of KYC and Approval team strategic goals. The Senior Lead is responsible for establishing the team with a strong drive for operational efficiencies and implementing a seamless onboarding model for customers the Approval team serves.

Your mission:

Your mission is to be a strong leader and compliance subject matter expert with a mindset that drives our operational strategy to enable products and processes that place our customers first. Meanwhile, you’ll remain aware of the risks surrounding onboarding high risk customers, our products, and the requirements set to us by regulations and banking partners. You can effectively communicate with customers, internal organisation stakeholders and industry partners on KYC initiatives,  strategically and operationally.

As a High Risk Approval Senior Lead, you will:

• Have a good knowledge and understanding of the SMA (Senior Management Approval) procedures and processes in the industry;

• Proactively identify opportunities for performance improvements areas; 

• Drive the strategic plans for the team, ensuring Approval team goals are in line with longer term KYC Function goals;

• Validate forecast data and optimise utilisation of human resources in the teams - manage recruitment and strategic placement of required staff across teams and locations, support Head of Function establishing and developing organisational structure;

• Organise development, documentation and regularly update necessary work procedures;

• Create a customer-focused culture that has a clear understanding of risk and an innovative can-do mindset that achieves both the regulatory objectives and ensures a great customer experience;

• Develop leadership and independence within Team Leads and teams, providing ongoing coaching and feedback, regular development conversations and participates in processes such as talent mapping and succession planning;

• Work with Global Service Delivery Team, Workforce Management and Scheduling Team, Vendor Management Team and the Product Team to plan the required resources to be aligned with business objectives and service levels

• Cooperate closely with product teams and 2LOD to ensure early engagement and enable growth initiatives. Meanwhile, balance operational requirements to monitor capacity, identify/resolve challenges and maintain scalability while delivering best compliant customer experience;

• Support internal and external Audits, representing the area when needed;

• Inspire others and ensure the whole team is clear on the importance of their work. Aims to keep teams aligned on Wise mission;

• Lead by example and drive a customer focused mindset in the organisation;

• Onboard and support team leads in their growth and development.

Skills/experience needed:

• You have previous experience in a team leadership role. We expect you to have minimum of 3 years in a lead role; 

• You have excellent verbal & written English. You are proactive, clear, concise, and comfortable speaking publicly;

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

• You have the ability to build highly efficient teams across different locations and time zones;

• You have very good understanding of different risks and risk mitigation methods to onboard high risk customers, both consumers and businesses; 

• You have a good understanding and ability to analyse, forecast and move of teams’ metrics;

• You have data-driven approach to quantifying problems sizes and the impact, including risk and a skill to find effective and efficient measures to resolve these; 

• You are able to work collaboratively within a complex organisation, across multiple cultures, geographies, and disciplines;

• You have project management skills and capability to handle multiple projects at one time;

• You can travel as needed;

• You are legally authorised to work in Estonia. We are not able to support any visas or relocation for this role.

Hiring process:

• Application review (including your cover letter answers)
• Phone screening call with the recruiter
• First interview with the SMA team
• Final interview the Head of the Function and the FinCrime Compliance Manager
• Start date: Q3 2024

What do we offer: 

• Starting salary: 2900 EUR/gross monthly
• Company Restricted Stock Units
• Numerous great benefits in our Tallinn office 

If you're interested in the position, please apply the latest by the 14th of April (end of the day) by submitting your CV and answers to the following questions (in the 'Message to Hiring Manager' field): 

1. Please describe your actions and plan when:
a) Incoming workload will increase by 45% for the next month.
b) The 45% of incoming workload increase has suddenly been delayed for the next 4 months but you have already hired the headcount.

2. What is the purpose of Senior Management review and how this should be treated on a company wide level?

3. How will you effectively lead teams that are located in 4 different time zones, where two time zones do not have common working hours?

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.

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