Sandton: AML Onboarding Team Lead – Law Firm, Sandton posted by Confidential

About the Role

The AML Onboarding Team Lead is a critical role that supports the firm’s compliance with regulatory requirements under the Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FIC Act) and other applicable laws. The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the onboarding team, ensuring that all activities are conducted in line with the firm’s Risk Management and Compliance Policy (RMCP), FIC Act, and corresponding guidance notes and PCCs.

Key Responsibilities

• Supervise and coordinate the onboarding team’s daily activities, ensuring that onboarding processes and reviews are completed in line with regulatory requirements and internal policies.
• Conduct quality assurance reviews and provide second-level oversight in respect of onboarding requirements for new clients and client reviews, ensuring that supporting documentation and administrative processes are completed accurately.
• Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of CDD, EDD, ODD, and beneficial ownership requirements, including the remediation of client population where deficiencies are identified.
• Interpret and apply laws, regulations, guidance notes, and PCCs issued by the Financial Intelligence Centre.
• Utilise AML onboarding systems to review and assess sanctions, PEP, and adverse media alerts, and distinguish between false positives and actual matches.
• Identify and assess onboarding-related risks and escalate complex or high-risk matters to management where necessary.
• Monitor the effectiveness of existing onboarding controls and assist with the remediation of identified deficiencies.
• Assist with the development, maintenance, and/or enhancement of onboarding process documentation.
• Support the development and delivery of onboarding training and guidance to team members, including participation in internal training initiatives.
• Assist in maintaining onboarding risk registers and provide input for periodic reports or updates to the Risk and Compliance Committee.
• Support the implementation of AML onboarding initiatives and system enhancements, including participation in user acceptance testing (UAT) and process improvements.
• Conduct research on emerging AML risks and regulatory developments to ensure the onboarding team remains aligned with regulatory expectations.

Requirements

• LLB Degree with at least 3 – 5 years’ experience in an AML / FICA compliance environment or in any compliance risk management environment; or
• A BCOM, BCOM Law degree or Risk Qualification with at least 3 – 5 years’ experience in an AML / FICA compliance environment or in any compliance risk management environment; or
• Candidates who do not have the abovementioned qualifications but who possess the relevant skills and experience listed below may also be considered, if they have 3 – 5 years’ relevant experience.

Qualifications

• Anti-money laundering certificates or ACAMS qualification.
• Post-Graduate Diploma in Compliance or Certificate in Compliance.
• Risk management certificate.

Salary & Benefits

Salary information is not available.