Money Laundering Risk Officer, International

The role:

This role requires an entrepreneurial spirit and deep expertise in local and international financial regulations. As the inaugural Money Laundering Risk Officer (“MLRO”), you will design, implement, and manage a robust compliance and risk program that safeguards the company against financial crime risks while ensuring full adherence to global and local regulatory requirements. You will be the primary point of contact for regulatory bodies, responsible for building trust and maintaining a transparent, collaborative relationship.

What you’ll do:

• Create, implement, and maintain the company's AML/CTF policies, standards, procedures, and internal controls in alignment with Global framework and local regulatory requirements.
• Lead the preparation for and response to regulatory exams, audits, and inspections, coordinating with regulators and assisting with managing communication during the process.
• Develop and track action plans in response to examination findings and ensure timely resolution of any deficiencies.
• Act as the primary AML subject matter expert for the SoFi Enterprise, advising Compliance, product managers, engineers, and SoFi’s business units. 
• Continuously engage with leaders in the AML department and across SoFi’s cross-functional leadership to identify changes impacting AML-related processes and prepare guidance as applicable.
• Architect and implement the full AML/CTF program for a new international entity, covering both traditional financial products and digital asset services.
• Develop policies and procedures addressing risks unique to cryptocurrency, decentralized technologies, virtual asset service providers (VASPs), and blockchain-based products.
• Work with Enterprise teams to ensure business controls exist in accordance with BSA/AML, Sanctions, consumer compliance, fraud risk, and operational risk regulatory standards and best practices.
• Support the AML Governance team with the annual AML risk assessment and identify strategies to implement effective strategies to mitigate risks identified. Inclusive of performing regulatory and operational risk assessments for new and existing products and services.
• Partner closely with compliance, business, and engineering teams to identify, assess, and advise on AML issues and controls.
• Conduct and supervise complex investigations involving both traditional financial activity and blockchain tracing and support SAR/STR filings, regulatory reporting, and risk escalations end-to-end.
• Assist with the implementation of the Enterprise Compliance Program, including regulatory change management, monitoring, testing, and management reporting.

What you’ll need:

• Bachelor’s Degree from a four-year college or university in a related field.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with all levels of the organization and across different business lines.
• Demonstrated ability to build or scale an AML/Sanctions program from the ground up, ideally covering both traditional and crypto products.
• Strong understanding of the U.S. AML regulatory frameworks (BSA, USA PATRIOT Act) along with international standards (FATF, EU AMLD, local regulations), and strong risk management principles.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize multiple projects with competing deadlines.
• Must be comfortable with advising leadership and cross functional teams in ambiguous and rapidly changing regulatory and business environments.

Specific Skills:

• 12+ years of experience in BSA/AML with a focus on international banking and financial services.
• Strong understanding and deep expertise of broad risk governance and principles across risk categories including compliance, privacy, operational, technology and information security.
• Deep, practical understanding of the Brazilian regulatory landscape, particularly BACEN, COAF reporting mechanisms, and local AML legislation.
• Full professional written and verbal fluency in both Portuguese and English.
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities to build and manage a team, influence senior stakeholders, and make sound, risk-based decisions independently.
• A data-driven approach to problem-solving, with the ability to translate complex regulatory text into actionable business procedures.
• Prior involvement in regulatory licensing or registration for VASPs or international branches.
• Hands-on AML program development experience.
• Expertise with both traditional banking AML controls and crypto/virtual asset risk frameworks.

Nice to have:

• JD-preferred
• Possession of recognized AML certifications is highly preferred (e.g., CAMS - Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist, or similar local certification), or willingness to obtain within 12 months of employment.