Manager, Digital Assets Surveillance and Investigations

Your Opportunity

At Schwab, you’re empowered to make an impact on your career. Here, innovative thought meets creative problem solving, helping us “challenge the status quo” and transform the finance industry together. Please note: This position is M-F, 8am-5pm local time and a hybrid work model. It will be 4 days in-office, 1 day from home, during standard business hours. It is only available in the areas listed. Candidate must reside or be willing to relocate on their own to one of the listed areas. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without employer sponsorship.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without employer sponsorship.

The position is within the Anti-Money Laundering Surveillance (AMLS) Department, which is within the Financial Crimes Risk Management (FCRM) organization. The organization assists in the assessment of AML risk presented to our business and the affirmative commitment to align with laws and regulations governing money laundering activities, those identified under OFAC, as well as other financial crimes. A key objective of the organization is our ongoing commitment to the corporation’s abilities to meet regulatory obligations. Responsibilities of FCRM extend beyond the AML program and include the Corporation’s Anti-Bribery and Identity Theft Program, Internal Investigations, and the safeguarding of customer and corporate assets against fraud. 

We are currently seeking a highly qualified AML professional with deep digital assets knowledge and experience to join our team as Manager, Digital Assets and Survelliance Investigations. The primary responsibility of this role is to execute the AML Surveillance Transaction Monitoring Program as it pertains to digital assets. This includes reviewing red flag alerts for potential crypto money laundering activities or other financial crimes against Charles Schwab & Co. and Charles Schwab Premier Bank. Additionally, the role involves providing subject matter expertise in digital assets and training to team members, assisting in the development of new surveillance processes, and conducting oversight reviews.

What you’ll do: 

• Execute all essential Digital Asset AML Surveillance functions with a high degree of proficiency, demonstrating mastery of all crypto AML surveillance scenarios and the capability to handle our most complicated reviews.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for surveillance reviews of digital asset activity, which includes on-chain research techniques, blockchain analytics best practices, evolving crypto financial crimes trends, emerging regulatory requirements, and developments in the DeFi/Web 3 ecosystem.
• Facilitate new hire onboarding and cross training of surveillance analysts on the AML Surveillance Team, acting as the primary point of contact for new hires and existing analysts concerning digital asset alert handling inquiries and delivering performance feedback. 
• Influence the culture, expectations, standards and processes in addition to serving as a leader of the new Digital Assets AML Surveillance function.
• Understand the needs and vulnerabilities of the BSA/AML Digital Assets Program to provide recommendations to strengthen the effectiveness of Schwab’s overall BSA/AML Program, including systems, vendor tools, workload management efforts, and process improvement initiatives.
• Conduct demonstrations of digital assets surveillance processes and systems for business partners, internal testing teams, auditors, and regulators. 
• Perform Quality Control of surveillance alerts and deliver constructive feedback to associates.
• Contribute to cross-functional projects focused on enhancing process efficiency and developing new surveillance scenarios.
• Support the preparation of AML related reports and presentations for senior leadership and regulatory agencies.
• Support management in researching audit, exam, and testing inquiries. 
• Assist with updating job aids and procedure documents. 
• Demonstrate Schwab core values within the Financial Crimes Risk Management department.

What you have

Required Qualifications: 

• Minimum of five years of experience in the financial services industry with a deep understanding of BSA/AML laws, regulations, and practices 
• 2+ years of experience working in the digital asset space 
• Intimate knowledge of the greater digital assets ecosystem, including cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, and decentralized finance (DEXs/DApps/bridging/swapping/staking/lending)
• Significant experience with blockchain analytics tools (e.g., TRM Labs, Elliptic, Chainalysis) and conducting reviews of digital asset activity using these products.
• Thorough understanding of crypto AML & fraud typologies such as peel chains, mixers/privacy wallets, “Pig Butchering” scams, romance scams, use of DeFi protocols to obfuscate prior activity, address poisoning, crypto dust, and more.
• Knowledge of fraud or elder financial exploitation policies, regulatory requirements, red flags and trends within brokerage and banking industries preferred.
• Excellent analytical skills, with the ability to collect, organize, and analyze data with diligence and accuracy. 
• Experience hiring, training, and mentoring new and experienced associates.
• Passionate about the digital assets ecosystem and experience with using crypto
• Strong comprehension of evolving digital asset regulations and compliance requirements, both nationally and internationally 
• Firm grasp of AML/BSA policies, regulatory requirements, and trends within the brokerage and bank industries 
• Proven decision making and organizational skills. 
• Demonstrated initiative and creativity in problem solving. 
• Deep understanding of various banking and/or brokerage products
• Ability to work well under pressure, demonstrate flexibility, and stay motivated in a repetitive work environment. 
• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience in the brokerage, bank, and/or AML industries, fraud investigation and prevention, elder financial exploitation

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Financial Crimes Certifications and FINRA Securities Licenses – (Preferred)
• Certifications from leading blockchain analytics firms (Preferred)