Director, US Head of Financial Crime Detection

HSBC•New York, NY

12d

About The Position

In compliance with applicable laws, HSBC is committed to employing only those who are authorized to work in the US. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. as HSBC will not engage in immigration sponsorship for this position. Our purpose – Opening up a world of opportunity – explains why we exist. Here at HSBC, we use our unique expertise, capabilities, breadth, and perspectives to open up new kinds of opportunity for our more than 40 million customers. We’re bringing together the people, ideas and capital that nurture progress and growth, helping to create a better world – for our customers, our people, our investors, our communities, and the planet we all share. The Financial Crime (FC) function is a Second line of Defense (LOD) function that includes “Risk Stewards” who are independent of the commercial risk-taking activities undertaken by HSBC’s businesses (also referred to as “the First LOD”). The Financial Crime Function also operates a set of critical controls on behalf of the HSBC’s businesses (FLOD) by harnessing intelligence, analytics, technology, detection and investigation. The Risk Stewards are responsible for reviewing and challenging all the activities of the First LOD to ensure that, as “Risk Owners”, they effectively manage the financial crime risk inherent in, or arising from, the conduct of their activities and for which they are responsible. Financial crime risk is a non-financial risk that includes fraud, money laundering, bribery and corruption, sanctions violations, terrorist financing, proliferation financing, export control violations and tax evasion. The Financial Crime function operates in accordance with HSBC Group’s Risk Management Framework (RMF). The Director, US Head of Financial Crime (FC) Detection is part of the US Financial Crime leadership team and US FC Management Committee (MANCO) and this role reports to the Managing Director, US Head of Financial Crime & Bank Secrecy Act / Anti‑Money Laundering Officer (BSA/AML) Officer. The Director, US Head of Financial Crime Detection is the US control owner responsible for all financial crime detection outcomes leveraging screening, monitoring, analytics, product management, transformation and technology capabilities. This role is the US senior accountable executive focused on and responsible for design and delivery of the Financial Crime Detection controls strategy in the US. This role will lead and oversee US FC Detection activities and controls across the US including Sanctions Screening COE Centre of Excellence (COE), AML transaction monitoring risk assessment (TMRA), deployment and control owner of the Dynamic Risk Assessment (DRA) and other financial crime detection systems under our Intelligence-Led Financial Crime Risk Management (ILFCRM) Program and financial crime risk models (including customer, product and country). Critical to the success of the role will be stakeholder engagement across various specialist risks and control SMEs to ensure that the financial crime risk assessment framework, infrastructure and capabilities in place meet the FC Detection requirements and needs.

Requirements

Financial Crime leadership experience and knowledge
Proven leadership experience as a senior risk, compliance or technology manager within a global financial services firm. A background or deep understanding of operational risk is highly desirable
Bachelors required, Masters or JD preferred
Ability to deliver both tactical and strategic program results and impactful outcomes against target timelines, quality, and budget expectations
Experience successfully engaging on regulatory matters and confident interaction with regulators
Excellent communication and inter-personal skills; Experience of creating, leading and motivating high-performing teams
Experience of working in a matrixed environment and engagement with senior leadership in the US and globally
Ability to develop efficient and effective solutions to complex operational and financial crime risks
Experience of driving and sustaining innovation, technology and operations to effectively manage financial crime risks and contribute to positive customer experience at scale
Ability to prioritize conflicting demands and problem solve with practical, pragmatic tactical and strategic solutions in a complex , dynamic environment
Track record of resilience and confident challenge in dealing with senior stakeholders to influence change without direct responsibility for resources or budget
An excellent understanding of data science, advanced analytics methodologies, and technological tools used in big data analysis. Wide experience in project management and transformation programs and product ownership experience in a complex global environment
Expertise in a range of technical and non-technical areas, including machine learning, large language models , cloud-based computing and Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques to include agentic AI and generative AI
Ability to prioritize conflicting demands and problem solve in a dynamic environment

Responsibilities

Leading US to achieve strategic direction for Financial Crime Detection outcomes to protect HSBC from the risk of transacting in contravention of regulatory requirements and / or HSBC Policies. This accountability includes providing oversight of advanced capabilities within the areas of screening, monitoring, analytics, product management, transformation and technology to assemble a collection of techniques that yield valuable insights and drive identification and mitigation of the financial crime risks facing HSBC, now and in the future
Management and engagement in discrete value streams aligned to individual outcomes with accountability for the design measurement, prioritization and implementation of technical and business activities. Leadership of cross-functional experts (pods) with the ability to build partnerships to drive and accelerate the execution of financial crime risk management programs that directly impact detection outcomes
Enabling future state thinking to ensure enterprise-wide applications of successful detection outcomes as relevant. This will include the requirement for development of strategic technologies and significant investment cases to support the firm’s response to Financial Crime Risk at all levels
Responsibility for continually seeking improvement in risk effectiveness and efficiency while meeting cost expectations and navigating competing priorities. Accountability for providing effective oversight and active challenge for poor, inefficient or excessive controls, related tasks and behaviors
Acting as a control owner as defined in the Operational Risk Policy and maintaining accountability for the key controls and oversight of the associated procedures within the function. Partner with Risk Owners and Business Risk Control Managers (BRCMs) and Global FC colleagues to monitor and improve the effectiveness of the control environment
Responsibility for specialist risk and control knowledge, and insights in relation to detection services. Accountability for identification of trends to anticipate future developments in the risk and control environment
Fostering positive internal and external relationships including interacting effectively with law enforcement, security and regulatory agencies, and financial intelligence units as appropriate and industry groups
Providing the support and coordination necessary to manage the Financial Crime Function’s response to critical incidents related to financial crime detection outcomes with significant financial crime implications (i.e., crisis response)
Contributing to building a robust financial crime risk management culture and strategy through both internal and external governance, strategy and communications, as well as people engagement and policy adherence
To stay at the forefront of key regulatory changes, particularly where relevant to FC Detection techniques and outcomes, to ensure proactive information sharing and communication, contribute to appropriate policy and framework changes
The role holder will continually reassess the operational risks associated with the role and inherent in the business, taking account of changing financial crime threats, geopolitical, economic or market conditions, legal and regulatory requirements, operating procedures and practices, management restructurings, and the impact of new technology.

Benefits

As an HSBC employee, you will have access to tailored professional development opportunities to ensure you have the right skills for today and tomorrow.
We offer a competitive pay and benefits package including a robust Wellness Hub, all in a welcoming and inclusive work environment.
You will be empowered to drive HSBC’s engagement with the communities we serve through an industry-leading volunteerism policy, a generous matching gift program, and a comprehensive program of immersive Sustainability and Climate Change Initiatives.
You’ll want to join our Employee Resource Groups as they play a central part in life at HSBC, including the development of our employees and networking inside and outside of HSBC.
We value difference.
We succeed together.
We take responsibility.
We get it done.
And we want you to help us build the bank of the future!
Your final fixed pay offer will depend on the candidate and several variables, including but not limited to, role responsibilities, skill set, depth of experience and education, licensing/certification requirements, internal relativity, and specific work location.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, race, national origin, ethnicity, disability or medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran service, religion, creed, sex, gender, pregnancy, childbirth, caregiver status, marital status, citizenship or immigration status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other trait protected by applicable law.