Senior Manager, Trader Onboarding & Identity Operations

Topstep

3d•$155,000 - $185,000

About The Position

The Senior Manager, Trader Onboarding & Identity Operations is a strategic operational leader in the Trust & Resilience department, responsible for strategy, performance, regulatory compliance, and user conversion across trader onboarding, identity verification, sanctions screening, KYC/EDD, and quality management. The role leads end-to-end operational execution of the Trader Identity Onboarding program, covering Sanctions screening, Identity Verification (IDV), Customer Identification Programs (CIP), Know Your Customer (KYC), and Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD). The position supervises a specialized Identity Operations team and owns onboarding operations across Registration, Second Purchase, and Payout Readiness. It partners with Legal, Compliance, Product, and Engineering to develop automated, low-friction verification systems while mitigating regulatory exposure and platform abuse. The role may be fully remote or hybrid, and Topstep describes its culture as collaborative, with cameras on during meetings and communication through Slack.

Requirements

At least 7 years of progressive leadership experience in fintech, prop trading, digital brokerage, or regulated financial services operations.
Deep hands-on expertise in Identity Operations, IDV, CIP, KYC/AML, and sanctions frameworks.
At least 3 years of direct experience hiring, building, and managing teams, including people managers and/or senior technical specialists, in high-volume, regulated operational environments.
Demonstrated ability to evaluate fraud risk systems, analyze complex fraud data for trends, and improve KYC and identity detection capabilities.
In-depth working knowledge of global compliance standards, including AML/BSA regulations and OFAC sanctions frameworks.
Proven ability to collaborate with Product & Engineering, Trader Research & Analytics, Legal Counsel, and external payment processors/issuers.
Expertise in capacity planning, operational KPIs, QA reviews, and using operational data for technology budget optimization and workforce forecasting.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to motivate distributed teams asynchronously and work in a fast-paced, high-growth startup environment.

Responsibilities

Recruit, hire, train, and develop a high-performing team, fostering accountability through feedback, quality assurance reviews, one-on-ones, coaching, and career development.
Plan workforce and staffing needs to align operational capacity with company growth.
Define strategic objectives and team KPIs, and track performance metrics.
Evaluate fraud risk systems, policies, and operational procedures to identify vulnerabilities and mitigate platform abuse.
Enhance KYC/CIP capabilities and verification logic across the trader lifecycle.
Analyze identity alerts, identity fraud data, and transactional signals to identify emerging patterns, vectors, and systemic weaknesses, and develop mitigation strategies.
Ensure onboarding, screening, and fraud processes adhere to financial and industry compliance standards, including AML/KYC, CIP, and OFAC sanctions requirements.
Partner with Legal Counsel and Compliance on evolving legal mandates.
Collaborate with Trader Research & Analytics, Product Management, and Engineering to improve processes, optimize verification workflows, and resolve complex fraud issues.
Direct trader verification operations across Registration (Sanctions screening), Second Purchase (IDV/Persona), Payout Readiness (CIP/Tax W-8/W-9), and Regulated Entity Onboarding (KYC/EDD).
Motivate and communicate with distributed teams asynchronously in a fast-paced, high-growth startup environment.
Conduct capacity planning and QA reviews, and use operational data to optimize technology budgets and workforce forecasting.

Benefits

Seven company-paid holidays.
Generous family leave.
Paid time off is front-loaded.
Competitive 401(k) matching.
Health insurance.
Dental insurance.
Vision insurance.
Bonus for taking five consecutive vacation days.
Food and groceries budget.
Contribution toward health and wellness.
Position is eligible for a performance-based bonus under the applicable plan terms and governing documents.