Senior Specialist, SAR Investigations

Overview
Focuses on long-term, complex investigations. Investigates suspicious activity as required under the Bank Secrecy Act and USA PATRIOT Act, including AML/BSA issues, insider abuse, and financial fraud. Responsible for handling highly-sensitive and complex cases with the greatest potential for significant reputational impact, including but not limited to non-routine employee misconduct matters (such as embezzlement), significant government investigations (such as grand jury subpoenas), and other high profile cases.As a subject matter expert, conducts advanced and highly complex research and analysis of suspicious account activity, including all forms of funds transfers, open source information (e.g., Internet and Lexis), closed source databases, and internal client information and account transaction databases. Compiles information and documents from a variety of sources to draft SAR reports. Typically responsible for the highest profile investigations or ones with the highest reputational or financial risk/impact.Applies innovative and creative problem solving skills to examine transactions that are frequently complex and often structured in order to avoid detection. Analyzes transaction data, research findings, and information received from the business and/or from the end customer or client, to ascertain whether transaction activity is suspicious or has a reasonable explanation, and/or whether fraud is suspected. Looks for linkages across suspicious activities, assessing whether the activity is isolated or part of a larger issue. Identifies and resolves discrepant information. Synthesizes large volumes of data which defines the baseline against which suspicious or reportable instances will be tested. Evaluates findings, develops theories and prepares recommendations for action to management.Effectively communicates and collaborates with legal, compliance, risk, corporate security and business personnel. Works with other lines of business and participates in discussions with higher levels of management and more senior personnel within the shared services such as Compliance, Risk, Audit, etc. May sit in on witness interviews and/or discussions or meetings with prosecutors. Collaborates with reviewing lawyers on their investigations and successfully implements and responds to recommendations/feedback. Through regular collaboration, understands the functions of the organization's financial intelligence units and how the units work together in order to meet the organization's obligations under applicable law and regulation and regulatory expectations. Applies deep expertise on the products and services offered throughout the organization as well as baseline and expected activity for such products and services, both on a general and a specific account basis to undertake high-profile investigations. Applies deep understanding of the financial services industry and the commercial environment on a global basis in order to determine whether and why particular activity is suspicious and reportable. Demonstrates a complete and thorough understanding of the reporting requirements under the Bank Secrecy Act and the USA PATRIOT Act, and a working understanding of the economic sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control.Oversees and conducts special projects such as long term document and/or email reviews and/or legal and other research. Responsible for training new employees, as well as ongoing training of the team. Prepares the vast majority of the materials used to train other investigators, especially those involving the most complex subject matter described above. Participates with management to develop approaches, methods, and standards for the unit.No direct reports, but is responsible for training new employees, as well as ongoing training of the team. May act as an advisor or resource for less experienced colleagues. May serve as a project manager and guide colleagues in their project responsibilities.Incumbent(s) undertake the most complex investigations and/or ones with the highest financial or reputational risk. Findings can severely affect the nature and magnitude of key Bank client/customer/partner relationships. Work directly affects the achievement of team/area goals.Modified based upon local regulations/requirements.Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and work experience required. Graduate Degree in Law, Business, or Intelligence Studies preferred. 7-10 years of total work experience preferred. Experience working for a financial institution on AML/ KYC/ anti-fraud related projects and/or ACAMS (Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists) certification and intelligence work in the private or public sector, is preferred.. BNY Mellon is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Minorities/Females/Individuals with Disabilities/Protected Veterans. Our ambition is to build the best global team - one that is representative and inclusive of the diverse talent, clients and communities we work with and serve - and to empower our team to do their best work. We support wellbeing and a balanced life, and offer a range of family-friendly, inclusive employment policies and employee forums.