AML Governance Senior Manager - Anti-Money Laundering Governance & Advisory - Digital Assets

Citizens • Westwood, MA

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

In this role at Citizens, you’re made ready for a fulfilling career with
exciting new challenges and opportunities to stretch yourself. You will be
positioned for a fulfilling career with meaningful opportunities to grow and
take on new challenges. This position offers a unique opportunity to support the
continued evolution of the AML & Sanctions Program, including shaping governance
and advisory capabilities as the bank expands digital asset–related activities.

      As part of the AML Governance & Advisory team, you will help mitigate
money laundering and illicit finance risks to ensure compliance with applicable
laws, regulations, and internal policies. You will support and lead key program
initiatives, provide guidance on new and emerging products, services, and
technologies, and deliver enterprise‑level and business line advisory support.

     Working closely with AML colleagues, you will contribute as a key
individual contributor to program execution, risk identification, and the
development of standards that support innovation and evolving risk profiles. You
will also participate in initiatives that leverage innovation to enhance program
effectiveness and strengthen financial crime risk management. Most importantly,
you will feel valued, supported, and empowered to achieve both personal and
professional goals at Citizens.

Requirements

• Relevant experience in AML, sanctions, financial crime risk, compliance, or audit within the financial services industry.
• Demonstrated experience supporting AML and sanctions risk management for digital assets, cryptocurrencies, tokenized products, or other emerging financial technologies.
• Deep understanding of banking products, financial crime regulatory requirements, and key risk drivers across products, operations, and technologies.
• Proven experience operating in environments subject to significant regulatory oversight and scrutiny.
• Expert knowledge of at least one AML program pillar with a strong understanding of end‑to‑end enterprise program design and execution.
• Experience conducting AML and sanctions risk assessments for new, innovative, or complex products and services, including digital asset and embedded finance offerings.
• Working knowledge of blockchain analytics, crypto transaction monitoring concepts, and third‑party digital asset risk management tools (e.g., wallet risk scoring, blockchain tracing).
• Strong investigative, analytical, and research capabilities, with the ability to synthesize complex data into actionable risk insights.
• Experience translating evolving regulatory expectations into governance frameworks, policies, control standards, and practical business guidance.
• Proven ability to act as a strategic advisor to senior leaders, influencing outcomes across multiple stakeholders with competing priorities.
• Strong judgment and decisiveness, with the confidence to challenge the status quo and escalate risks appropriately.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills, with a demonstrated ability to communicate complex risk topics clearly to technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Strong collaboration, negotiation, and conflict‑resolution skills across business, risk, compliance, and technology partners.
• Excellent critical thinking and problem‑solving capabilities.
• Strong business writing and executive‑level communication skills.
• Proficient in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Visio.
• Bachelor’s Degree required.

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience in consulting, compliance or risk technology implementations, data analytics, or BI development preferred but not required.
• Certifications Preferred: Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist, Certified Internal Auditor, Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager, Certified Fraud Examiner,  
• Digital asset–related certifications or training (e.g., Certified Cryptocurrency Investigator (CCI), Chainalysis/ TRM Labs fundamentals, or equivalent coursework) a plus but not required

Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders and business partners by assessing business strategies, identifying AML & Sanctions risks, and recommending practical, risk‑based solutions that align with regulatory expectations.
• Define, enhance, and maintain AML & Sanctions methodologies, risk frameworks, governance standards, and compliance requirements supporting digital assets and emerging payment activities.
• Research, analyze, and monitor AML, Sanctions, and illicit finance risk trends related to digital assets, including industry benchmarking and upstream risk identification.
• Interpret and apply evolving regulatory requirements and guidance, including BSA, USA PATRIOT Act, and OFAC expectations, and translate them into policies, control standards, and governance practices.
• Provide independent AML & Sanctions risk advisory support for digital asset activities, including custody, trading, payments, on‑ and off‑ramps, staking, settlement, and cross‑border blockchain‑based transactions.
• Partner with business lines throughout the product lifecycle to ensure AML & Sanctions risks are appropriately identified, assessed, documented, mitigated, and monitored prior to launch and through ongoing operations.
• Coordinate and perform enterprise, business line, and product risk assessments and compliance reviews to evaluate the effectiveness of AML & Sanctions controls and risk mitigation strategies.
• Collaborate with technology partners to identify, evaluate, and implement blockchain analytics, transaction monitoring, and digital asset risk management tools aligned with regulatory expectations and enterprise strategy.
• Participate in customer risk assessments, investigations, and complex escalations involving digital asset activity.
• Manage AML & Sanctions examinations, audits, and internal assurance activities, including issue remediation and regulatory engagement.
• Support AML & Sanctions governance committees through preparation of materials, executive reporting, and business intelligence development.

Benefits

• We offer competitive pay, comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage, retirement benefits, maternity/paternity leave, flexible work arrangements, education reimbursement, wellness programs and more.
• Note, Citizens’ paid time off policy exceeds the mandatory, paid sick or paid time-away policy of every local and state jurisdiction in the United States.
• For an overview of our benefits, visit https://jobs.citizensbank.com/benefits [https://jobs.citizensbank.com/benefits] .

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees