Financial Intelligence Unit Lead

About Bastion

Bastion enables financial institutions and enterprises to issue regulated stablecoins, generate revenue on reserves, and expand their ecosystems. Bastion’s platform combines stablecoin issuance, secure custody, and seamless orchestration for cross-border transfers, on/off-ramps, and stablecoin conversions. With Bastion’s platform and APIs, businesses can create and scale their stablecoin network, while optimizing revenue, compliance, and control.

About Financial Crime Compliance

Financial Crime Compliance (FCC) focuses on the specific financial crime threats Bastion faces now and in the future, pioneering techniques and technology that protect our business, our customers, and the many markets and geographies in which we operate from the harms associated with financial crime.  FCC harnesses intelligence, analytics, technology, human capital, investigation, information sharing and partnerships to achieve this end, always seeking the most effective and efficient means.

Overview

The Financial Intelligence Unit Lead (FIU) Lead will be responsible for building and managing a robust FIU program that meets all applicable regulatory requirements, including those of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctions programs, and New York State Department of Financial Services (NYS DFS) regulations. This role requires deep expertise in financial crime compliance, strong leadership skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive FIU program, including policies, procedures, training and other controls, covering:

  • Customer Identification Program (CIP) and Customer Due Diligence (CDD) requirements, including Customer Risk Rating (CRR) model and Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) reviews of high-risk customers.

  • Sanctions screening and compliance with OFAC and other economic sanctions regulations.

  • AML transaction monitoring and suspicious activity identification.

  • Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) investigation and reporting.

  • Compliance with NYS DFS Part 504 requirements for transaction monitoring and filtering.

  • Internal and external fraud.

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the FIU, ensuring timely and accurate completion of all tasks including lead and manage Bastion’s global investigative programs related to customer identity, sanctions, customer due diligence, enhanced due diligence, anti-money laundering, countering the financing of terrorism, and fraud.

• Ensure the quality and consistency of the investigations including Identify and escalate the most significant and sensitive investigations to ensure appropriate prioritization, resourcing, and investigative strategy.

• Operate within a systemic capability to refer investigative findings and recommendations to other parts of Bastion for follow-on action to mitigate the identified financial crime risk, track the response, and ensure appropriate governance.

• Maintain adequacy of resourcing (data, technology, human capital, managed services, etc.), and manage and mentor a team of FIU analysts and investigators.

• Develop and deliver training programs on financial crime compliance for relevant teams.

• Monitor evolving regulatory requirements and industry best practices, and adapt the FIU program accordingly.

• Conduct regular risk assessments to identify and mitigate potential financial crime risks.

• Collaborate with Technology and Data teams to ensure effective implementation and maintenance of AML and sanctions screening systems.

• Partner with Legal counsel to interpret and implement relevant regulations.

• Represent the company in regulatory inquiries and examinations related to financial crime compliance.

• Prepare and present reports on FIU activities and metrics to the Chief Risk & Compliance Officer and other members of senior management.

• Stay up-to-date on emerging financial crime trends and typologies to develop strategic capability to mitigate future threats.

• Interact effectively with law enforcement, and security and regulatory agencies to further information sharing, training initiatives, and specific investigations of significance.

• Foster good relationships with all counterparts in law enforcement, and security and compliance regulatory agencies.   

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience working within a regulatory, investigative, or financial intelligence agency, or as a senior compliance officer within a global firm, in the financial services industry.

• Detailed experience in mitigating the harms associated with the threat of financial crime at a strategic level.

• Ability to develop efficient and effective solutions to global issues.

• An excellent understanding of the current FCC regulatory environment and expectations, and relevant regulations, as well as their underlying purposes to mitigate risk to the financial systems and provide information useful for law enforcement.

• Leadership experience and a strategic thinker.

• Excellent communications and interpersonal skills, with experience in dealing with stakeholders at all levels.

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

• Passion for innovation, digital assets and the future of finance.

Bastion provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, and placement. Bastion participates in E-Verify to authorize eligibility of employment in the United States.