Head of Financial Crimes Compliance - Remote

EMPOWER OVERVIEW
Empower is shaking up an outdated financial system by providing real opportunity for our customers: the opportunity to get the cash they need, to access fair credit, and to change their financial story. Today, we're helping millions of people find financial security through machine learning models that evaluate creditworthiness using a more inclusive lens and mobile-first products: Cash Advance, Thrive line of credit, and Petal credit cards. Tomorrow? Creating even more financial paths for our customers (and their wallets) to succeed.
This year, Empower ranked #65 on Inc. 5000's Fastest-Growing Private Companies list - our third year in a row cracking the top 100 - and was named by Forbes as one of the 25 Next Billion-Dollar Startups for 2024. Empower was also featured by Forbes on America's Best Startup Employers list in 2023, and our Thrive line of credit product was named by Fast Company as one of 2022's Next Big Things in Tech.
Empower is backed by Sequoia Capital, Blisce, and Icon Ventures. Ready to grow your impact and accelerate your career? Take a look at our open roles - we can't wait to meet you.
THE EMPOWER WAY
Great Expectations: We come up with bold, audacious goals for ourselves and go all out for impact
Owner Mindset: We give every employee latitude to act independently, make smart choices, and move the business forward
Spirited Debate: We love skeptics and seek counter opinions to challenge our personal assumptions and expand our view
Customer Obsession: We listen to understand, empathize, and create a memorable, rewarding experience for our community
Inclusive Collaboration: We believe diverse teams make the best decisions, and we strive to give diverse voices a seat at the table
No Jerks Allowed: We value our relationships and take the time to build trust and connection and communicate respectfully
WHAT EMPOWER OFFERS
Competitive salary
Generous equity package
Full healthcare benefits
Technology expense reimbursement
Work from anywhere
JOB DESCRIPTION
We are looking for a Head of Financial Crimes Compliance to lead Empower's financial crimes program. You will be responsible for developing and executing Empower's global strategy for financial crime prevention efforts, including anti-money laundering/ counter-terrorist financing, customer onboarding (KYC), economic sanctions, and anti-corruption. In this role, you will build scalable processes and systems design and lead with data-driven approaches. The successful candidate will bring an expert-level understanding of domestic and global anti-money laundering and financial crimes compliance laws, substantial experience across the financial services industry, products, and delivery channels, and executive-level communication and presentation skills.
Travel for company offsites is expected at a minimum 2 times a year.
RESPONSIBILITIES

• Set priorities and drive the strategy for Empower's financial crimes compliance program, operating across Empower's global footprint
• Mature, maintain, and oversee the implementation of Empower's BSA/AML/OFAC Program, including policies, procedures, processes, and controls across all products and geographies
• Manage, develop, and grow a best-in-class team
• Design and perform BSA/AML/OFAC risk assessments
• Lead the design of Empower's transaction monitoring, investigations, and UAR/ SAR reporting systems
• Design and implement proactive monitoring and surveillance systems to prevent suspicious activities
• Apply strong data analysis skills to analyze trends and patterns in alerts and disposition outcomes to enhance risk mitigation and detection strategies
• Prepare clear, concise, and actionable management- and board-level reporting
• Mature and deliver role-specific financial crimes compliance training for management and the Board
• Handle communications and interactions with Empower's bank partners, regulators, auditors, and other external stakeholders regarding the company's financial crimes compliance program

QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience developing and building a financial crimes compliance function in a growing, highly regulated financial services company
• Deep knowledge of domestic and global anti-money laundering and financial crimes compliance laws
• Experience managing high-performing teams in a remote-first model
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships across a global organization, exert influence, and partner across business teams

At Empower, we hire for people that push themselves to understand others and seek out ways to challenge their personal assumptions. Our hope is that by fostering such an environment, we strengthen our business and relationships by putting people first. We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workspace where everyone (regardless of age, education, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or any personal characteristics) feels like they belong. Even if your experience doesn't exactly match up to our job description, you should feel empowered to apply regardless!