High Risk Assessment Specialist

Wise has already pioneered new ways for people to transfer money across borders and currencies. Our customers can also manage their hard-earned money with the world’s first platform offering true multi-currency banking. 

This role is a unique opportunity to have an impact on Wise’s mission, grow as a specialist in the compliance field, help millions of people around the world save money, and drive growth on the Wise Platform. You will also develop an in-depth understanding of Wise’s business model and foster relationships with teams across the company as you work to help them understand compliance risk exposure and mitigation strategies.

The primary purpose of this position is to evaluate and assess high risk customers, mitigate risks associated with them,  while ensuring compliance with the established AML/CFT regulations, policies and Wise’s risk appetite. 

The High Risk Assessment Specialist has a working understanding of inherent risks associated with complex business structures and activities, customer types, country risks and their respective mitigation measures.  The investigation accommodates any legal, regulatory and operating requirements unique to specific business sectors or jurisdictions. 

What You’ll Actually Do! 

• Act as an end point for all escalations from other compliance operations teams, assessing customers’ risks and applying risk based approach methodologies;
• Mentor and consult other compliance operations teams and act as a subject matter expert in complex cases;
• Perform risk assessment on complex and high risk customers, document and provide thorough analysis on potential risks and apply appropriate mitigation measures by analyzing their business activities, compliance programs and controls;
• Review and on-board high risk and high value customers, performing risk assessments and thorough research based on customers’ profile
• Review and analyze documentation, such as AML, Sanctions, EDD, KYC, and Acceptable Use policies, comparing them against Wise’s policies and internal risk-based approach;
• Assess the customer’s potential reputational and financial crime risk to Wise from Sanctions, PEP, and adverse media perspective;
• Coming up with new and better risk mitigation methods and improving our compliance framework and controls while working closely with Product and Regulatory Compliance; 
• Escalate and report compliance concerns to Financial Crime Oversight and other compliance teams where necessary;
• Communicate with internal and external partners/stakeholders to facilitate scalable, compliant business onboarding growth;
• Work closely with Business Development, Account Implementation, and Wise Platform teams to on-board high risk companies, update on review statuses, communicate compliance concerns, and answer queries and concerns from relevant stakeholders;
• Work with product teams, operational leads, and compliance teams to manage operational impact of changes, increase operational efficiencies, and improve the customer experience;
• Be accountable for the quality assurance of the High Risk Assessment team, taking decisions within our policy framework, and working with compliance to evolve processes;
• Distill concerns or issues identified from relevant operational incidents and report these findings to senior management with recommended actions to address deficiencies;
• Support team leads on implementation and delivery of ad-hoc project work, participate in enhancing the compliance management knowledge of colleagues;
• Represent the team at various risk committees and audits at regional level when required;

• Work autonomously within a limited variety of well-defined procedures and practices (not necessarily standardized);
• Ability to take difficult decisions, work with uncertainty, deal with unknowns, and coordinate various sources of information within and outside the organization;
• Capable of identifying gaps in policies and processes and liaise as necessary with the team, other business units and stakeholders to resolve relevant issues;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, strong organizational skills, attention to detail, analytical abilities, and ability to adhere to strict deadlines in a fast paced and high pressure environment;
• Punctual, resourceful, proactive, enthusiastic and willing to get things done;
• Ability to work in a diverse work environment which requires collaboration, partnership and transparency; 
• Min 2 years of relevant industry experience, ideally in financial services,  compliance roles or at a financial services regulator; 
• Understanding of regional and global regulatory requirements and essentials of risk based approach;
• Strong analytical and problem solving capabilities
• Strong stakeholder management and interpersonal skills
• analytical skills, with the ability to provide practical and realistic solutions for minimizing risk
• Comfortable working in a rapidly changing and complex work environment.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher

What do we offer: 

• Starting salary: 2675 EUR
• Company Restricted Stock Units
• Numerous great benefits in our Tallinn office 

Key benefits:

• Flexible working - whether it’s working from home, school plays or life admin we get that flexibility is essential and you’re trusted to do the right thing and be responsible
• Paid annual holiday, sick days, parental leave and other leave opportunities
• 6 weeks of paid sabbatical after 4 years at Wise on top of annual leave

If you're interested in the position, please apply for the latest 25th Jan by submitting your CV and Cover Letter. In your cover letter, please answer the following question:

• Please give us an example of a time when you have reviewed/investigated a particularly high risk customer and provide us your analysis on how you reached your conclusion. Please only consider cases where we have continued the relationship with the customer and have NOT offboarded the customer.

We're people 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.

Every Wiser should feel that they can be themselves at work. Inclusive teams help us live our values and make sure every Wiser feels respected, empowered to share their contributions towards mission zero and able to progress in their careers.

Having diverse teams that reflect our diverse customer base helps us build a better product. We can be more creative and empathetic to our customer's needs and life experiences and makes sure we leave no-one behind on our journey to mission-zero.

If you want to find out more about what it's like to work at Wise visit Wise.Jobs.

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