Compliance Program Lead

Freelancer.com • San Francisco, CA

21h

About The Position

We are seeking a highly skilled Compliance Program Lead to oversee and enhance our regulatory compliance initiatives. This role is responsible for ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements related to payments, financial crime compliance, data privacy, and licensing, with a specific focus on BSA/AML/CTF compliance and compliance assurance. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in compliance, risk management, and regulatory affairs within financial services or fintech. As a key member of our compliance team, you will work cross-functionally with Product, Finance, Sales, and Operations teams to develop, implement, and manage compliance processes. You will report to the Senior Compliance Manager and have the opportunity to apply your existing experience while expanding your skillset in a fast-paced, innovative, and growing business environment. This is a great opportunity for an experienced compliance professional who thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and is eager to drive compliance excellence

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Business, Finance, Law, or a related discipline).
• CAMS certification required.
• 5 or more years of experience in compliance, regulatory affairs, or risk management within financial services, fintech, or a related industry.
• Strong understanding of regulatory requirements related to payments, AML/financial crime compliance, data privacy, and licensing.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and initiatives in a structured, deadline-driven environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to collaborate effectively with internal stakeholders and regulatory bodies.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess compliance risks and implement process improvements.
• Attention to detail and strong organizational skills, ensuring compliance documentation, audits, and filings are accurate and timely.
• Experience working in a compliance function within fintech, payments, banking, or financial services.
• Hands-on experience managing one or more core compliance areas, such as transaction monitoring, licensing and renewals, regulatory filings, surety bond renewals, program documentation, or data privacy compliance.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams (e.g., Legal, Risk, Product, and Operations) to support compliance initiatives.
• Proven ability to interpret and apply regulatory requirements to business operations and compliance processes.
• Experience handling regulatory filings and audits, ensuring ongoing adherence to applicable laws and industry best practices.

Nice To Haves

• Additional compliance-relevant certifications such as CRCM, CFE, or CIPP (or willingness to obtain).
• Extensive experience working with regulators or auditors on compliance-related inquiries and examinations.
• Knowledge of third-party compliance tools such as Actimize, Alloy, Trulioo, or similar transaction monitoring/KYC platforms.
• Exposure to global compliance frameworks and multi-jurisdictional regulatory requirements.
• Experience with policy drafting and process improvement initiatives, contributing to the enhancement of a compliance program.
• Familiarity with privacy regulations such as GDPR, CCPA, or other global data protection laws.
• Experience in a rapidly scaling fintech or payments company, balancing regulatory compliance with business growth.

Responsibilities

• Conduct compliance assessments and review risk obligations to identify control gaps and emerging issues.
• Carry out periodic reviews of existing risk assessments to ensure continued relevance and accuracy.
• Conduct internal compliance controls testing to evaluate the effectiveness of AML/CTF, licensing, and operational compliance controls.
• Conduct transaction monitoring and act as an escalation point for BSA/AML/CTF operational matters.
• Oversee various MTL and Escrow licensing and regulatory filings, managing renewals and reporting obligations in a timely and accurate manner.
• Maintain and enhance compliance documentation, policies, and procedures to align with evolving regulatory expectations as part of our regulatory monitoring and change management program.
• Monitor and assess compliance risks, implementing effective controls and process improvements as necessary.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams to integrate compliance requirements into business operations and new product initiatives.
• Support regulatory audits, examinations, and inquiries, ensuring proper documentation and effective communication with regulators.
• Conduct compliance training and awareness programs for employees, fostering a culture of compliance throughout the organization.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to evaluate and implement third-party compliance tools for transaction monitoring, KYC, and AML screening.
• Act as a backup BSA / AML Compliance and Transaction Monitoring Manager

Benefits

• Competitive compensation package, including benefits and career development opportunities.
• Opportunity to shape and enhance our compliance program, making a significant impact on the company's growth and success.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees