FIU Director Customer Risk (Remote)

The SouthState story is one of steady growth, deep community roots, and an unwavering commitment to helping our customers move forward. Since our beginnings in the 1930s to becoming a trusted financial partner across the South and beyond - we are known for combining personal relationships with forward-thinking solutions.

We are committed to helping our team members find their success while maintaining the integrity of our values: building trust, fostering lasting relationships and pursuing excellence. At SouthState, individual contributions are recognized, potential is cultivated and team members are inspired to achieve their greater purpose. Your future begins here!

SUMMARY/OBJECTIVES

The FIU Director/Customer Risk supports SouthState Bank’s enterprise wide BSA/AML Program to ensure all regulatory requirements are met related to compliance with the onboarding, initial and ongoing monitoring and review of high and higher-risk customer relationships. Responsibilities include the identification of high-risk customers and relationships and the review and documentation of high-risk activity.

It is the policy of SouthState Bank to comply with the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), USA PATRIOT Act, and the requirements of the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), and other related anti-money laundering/ anti-terrorist financing initiatives.  The Bank has established a Bank Secrecy Act/ Anti-Money Laundering/Office of Foreign Assets Control (BSA/AML/OFAC) Compliance Program, covering all requirements of the BSA, USA PATRIOT Act and OFAC rules and regulations.  Upon completion of required training, the Board of Directors of SouthState Bank shall hold each employee accountable for adhering to the established operating procedures and internal controls as set forth in the Bank’s BSA/AML/OFAC Program.  Continued instances of non-compliance or willful violation of law may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Design and implement BSA/AML related customer risk program elements to support the identification and oversight of higher risk activities throughout the company;
• Maintain expertise in all industry segments, product types and services generally considered high risk from a BSA/AML perspective;
• Manage the unit workflow and ensure duties of staff are performed as expected; conduct periodic quality control reviews to ensure high risk reviews are properly documented and unusual activity referrals are generated as warranted;
• Collaborate with colleagues across the company, including the FIU management team, to protect SSB's interests and advise the business lines on BSA/AML risk mitigation strategies, develop tools and methodologies to analyze, assess and monitor customer risk, contribute to key regulatory initiatives and report on customer risk exposures and metrics to enable an informed and strategic decision-making process;
• Maintain working knowledge of correspondent banking, including Wolfsberg and FATF oversight and monitoring requirements as applicable; manage the monitoring of downstream bank customer activity to ensure appropriate risk classification, oversight and the identification of unusual activity;
• Monitor the regulatory environment and industry trends to stay abreast of emerging risk;
• Responsible for the identification, tracking, risk classification and review of all relationships/accounts designated by the bank as high or potentially higher risk, as defined by regulatory guidance, the bank's risk assessment and/or policy;
• Maintain records related to all higher risk groups for use in assessing risk and required regulatory reporting;
• Perform up front due diligence and continued oversight of complex high-risk relationships;
• Ensure performance of risk-based periodic reviews of high-risk relationships;
• Develop, implement and maintain written procedures to support the functions performed in the Customer Risk unit;
• Manage, in collaboration with the FIU Systems and Technology unit, the Customer Risk elements of the bank’s transaction monitoring platform;
• Process requests for information related to audits and examinations;
• Prepare and deliver training materials to impacted staff as needed or assigned;
• Assist in projects as may be assigned related to BSA/AML and OFAC;
• Act as a technical resource for the various business lines for matters pertaining to higher risk activities, industries, customers and relationships;
• Escalate activity that meets the established criteria for investigating suspected fraudulent or problem accounts;
• Maintain proficiency in all aspects of BSA/AML compliance;
• Adhere to all provisions of SouthState Bank policies and procedures, including the confidentiality policy, code of ethics and BSA/AML/OFAC policies and procedures;
• Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned, according to the needs of the bank

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

COMPETENCIES

• Effectively evaluates situations or conditions before making risk-based decisions; ability to weigh alternative courses of action on a risk basis;
• Makes thoughtful determinations as to situations that should be escalated to executive management prior to taking action;
• Reliable in using good judgement;
• Superior communication skills, both verbal and written;
• Self-motivated, dependable, adaptable, and detail-oriented with strong organizational skills;
• Ability to manage projects collaborating with others in the FIU department as well as across other departments and business lines;
• Ability to develop effective presentations and documentation for various levels of audience experience;
• Strong critical thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills;
• Ability to effectively manage and oversee FIU employees;
• Ability to draft reports, prepare documents, and compose letters, memorandums, and business correspondence;
• Ability to work and thrive in a fast paced, high demand and deadline driven environment;
• Demonstrate a strong sense of urgency by responding immediately to escalated issues and rapidly changing priorities;
• Ability to provide exemplary customer service towards both internal and external parties;
• Ability to handle and accomplish multiple tasks and resolve competing priorities effectively;
• Advanced computer skills (spreadsheet and word processing); knowledge of and ability to use internal bank systems, a plus;
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret Federal and State banking regulations related to the Bank Secrecy Act and anti-money laundering

Qualifications, Education, and Certification Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree preferred
• Experience:
  • Minimum 7-10 years of related senior level BSA/AML experience in the financial services industry; preference given to experience in a mid-size tier or larger financial institution
  • Experience managing people and projects
  • Experience conducting investigations and enhanced due diligence at an advanced level
  • Extensive experience with complex commercial structures
  • Experience with private capital, payments, trade finance, international banking a plus
  • Experience monitoring, reviewing and analyzing account activity in order to identify unusual or suspicious activity

• Certifications/Specific Knowledge:
  • Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) and/or other professional BSA/AML related certification preferred;
  • In-depth knowledge of BSA/AML regulations related to monitoring of higher risk customer relationships;
  • Strong understanding of bank operations including but not limited to navigating banking systems, understanding teller transactions and interpreting customer transactions;
  • In-depth knowledge of and expertise in all industry segments, products and services classified as higher risk by any regulatory agency or prudential regulator; proficiency in the requirements of CIP, IDV,CDD,EDD, and beneficial ownership to ensure compliance under the regulations as they pertain to the Bank Secrecy Act , USA PATRIOT Act and other relevant statutes, regulations or guidance

TRAINING REQUIREMENTS/CLASSES

• New Employee Orientation
• Required annual compliance training
• System-specific training as necessary to perform duties
• FIU/Financial crimes training as assigned by the Chief BSA Officer

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Must be able to remain seated or work standing in a confined area on a computer for a minimum of four (4) hours each workday.
• Must be able to constantly use hands and fingers to enter data through or on a computer or answer a phone throughout most of an eight (8) hour shift.
• Must be able to hear and communicate with coworkers and customers throughout the day.

 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Position may require regular before/after normal business hours.

 

• Must be able to function in a professional, business office environment and act and dress appropriately for same, consistent with the Bank’s grooming and dress codes.
• Must demonstrate excellent people skills with customers and coworkers.
• Must be willing to function as a team member.
• Must be willing to demonstrate commitment to South State Bank’s mission and goals.

These specifications are general guidelines based on the minimum experience normally considered essential to the satisfactory performance of this position. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required to perform the position in a satisfactory manner. Individual abilities may result in some deviation from these guidelines.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Telecommuting roles no matter if hybrid or 100% full time telecommuting must have a secure home office environment that is free from background noise and distractions. They must also have a reliable private internet connection that is not supplied by use of cellular data (hot spot). Cable or fiber connections are preferred. Remote work is not a substitute for child/dependent care. Requirements are subject to change, as new systems and technology is delivered.

 

TRAVEL

Travel may be required for attendance at meetings as needed.

In accordance with Colorado and Virginia law: Pay for this position is anticipated to be between $116,153.00 - $185,543.00 , actual offers to be determined based on applicant’s skills, experience and education.

While the anticipated deadline for the job posting is 08-19-2026, we encourage you to submit your application as we may still consider qualified candidates beyond this date.

Benefits | SouthState Careers

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disabled/veterans.