Senior Manager - BSA/AML Complex Investigations (Hybrid/Richmond, VA)

The Senior Manager- BSA/AML Complex Investigations leads and oversees high‑risk, sensitive, and complex financial crime investigations. This role plays a critical role in the Bank’s compliance with BSA/AML, OFAC, and related regulatory requirements, while delivering high‑quality investigative outcomes and regulatory‑ready documentation. The Senior Manager is responsible for directly leading, coaching, and developing a team of investigators, driving strong performance, quality, and consistency across all investigative activities. In addition to people leadership, this role serves as a subject matter expert across complex typologies, providing guidance and escalation support on high-risk cases, and ensuring timely, accurate SAR decisioning. This role partners closely with stakeholders across the Bank, translates regulatory and operational requirements into effective investigative practices, and drives continuous improvement through process optimization, metrics, and team development. The role requires a balance of hands-on expertise, leadership, and operational oversight to ensure an effective and scalable investigations function.

Position Accountabilities

• Lead and review complex, higher risk investigations involving money laundering, human trafficking, higher risk customers and industries such as cannabis/hemp‑related activity, and other emerging typologies.
• Ensure accurate, timely, and well‑supported SAR decisions and filings in compliance with FinCEN and regulatory expectations.
• Serve as an escalation point for investigators on complex or sensitive cases, including engagement with broader partners to support research.
• Manage investigative quality through case reviews, trend analysis, metrics, and targeted quality assurance reviews.
• Develop and maintain effective investigative procedures aligned with a risk‑based BSA/AML program.
• Stay current on regulatory developments, enforcement actions, and emerging financial crime risks; translate changes into actionable guidance.
• Prepare materials and support BSA/AML examinations, audits, and regulatory inquiries related to investigations and SARs.
• Partner cross‑functionally with Fraud, Sanctions, Legal, Compliance Advisory, and business units to drive effective risk mitigation.
• Lead, coach, mentor, and develop investigative staff, including providing training and feedback to enhance analytical skills and judgment.
• Translate operational insights into repeatable processes, championing continuous improvement and technology adoption to scale efficiently and nimbly.
• Provide performance metrics (KRIs, KPIs) inclusive of productivity and trending
• Contribute to program enhancements, technology optimization, and ongoing AML/CFT transformation initiatives.
• Review partner SLAs/KPIs, alert and case handoffs, escalation protocols, and control guardrails.

Organizational Relationship

This position reports to: BSA/AML and OFAC Officer, or a delegate on their team

Position Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant experience.
• 5+ years of progressive BSA/AML and fraud investigation experience within a traditional financial institution across personal and complex commercial relationships.
• 5+ years of experience leading and reviewing complex investigations and SAR decisions.
• Experience interacting with internal audit, regulators, and examiners.
• Prior people management or lead investigator experience.
• Experience with AML systems, monitoring models, and case management tools.
• CAMS or other relevant AML certification preferred.

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong knowledge of BSA/AML and Fraud laws and regulations, SAR requirements, and FinCEN guidance.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex transactional activity and articulate risk clearly and concisely.
• Strong leadership, communication, and judgment skills.
• Familiarity with artificial intelligence and process optimization / redesign methodologies.