Financial Crimes Program Design: Architecture Implementation & Independent Testing - Executive Director

Morgan Stanley is a global financial services firm that conducts its business through three principal business segments-Institutional Securities, Wealth Management (WM), and Asset Management. Morgan Stanley provides comprehensive financial advice and services to its clients including brokerage, investment advisory, financial and wealth planning, credit and lending, deposits and cash management, annuities, insurance, retirement, and trust services. As a market leader, the talent and passion of our people is critical to our success. Together, we share a common set of values rooted in doing the right thing, putting clients first, leading with exceptional ideas and a commitment to diversity and inclusion. Morgan Stanley can provide a superior foundation for building a professional career - a place for people to learn, achieve, and grow.

The First Line Financial Crime Program Design Office is responsible for the oversight, design, implementation, and maintenance of all first line of defense financial crimes activities including defining risk mitigant strategies, adherence to policy and setting risk tolerance and expectations as well as championing the customer experience.

The Architecture Implementation & Independent Testing Lead will think outside the box to develop solutions to improve our financial crimes program with goals of enhancing controls, implementing efficiency, and improving customer experience. The team will conduct comprehensive systems impact assessments, end to end testing/monitoring, and issue identification, prioritizing root cause resolutions to mitigate risks and enhance system reliability. Lead efforts to implement change following the identification of opportunities for process optimization, simplification, and synergy execution. Drive continuous improvements in client experience by identifying and eliminating friction points, leading to enhanced satisfaction, and streamlined processes. Developing a common methodology and standards, providing governance and oversight, executing testing; and conducting horizontal reviews / regression.

Responsibilities

• Identify opportunities within the Financial Crimes program to reduce risk through system process improvements, deficiency remediation, improved data management and quality and a pragmatic approach to policy directives.
• Holistically assess requirements including system enhancements and defects, determine priorities based on impact to operations and alignment with Policy and work with Wealth management, E*trade, US Banks, and Investment Management businesses to drive prioritization, development, and implementation.
• Executing targeted reviews in the areas of high and emerging financial crimes risk and related reviews to evaluate the adequacy and effectiveness of business processes or activities and mitigating controls.
• Consults with various stakeholders to identify system functional specifications. Applies comprehensive understanding of how multiple areas collectively integrate to contribute towards achieving business goals.
• Consults with users to solve complex system issues/problems through in-depth evaluation of business processes, systems, and industry standards; recommends solutions.
• Leads system change process from requirements through implementation; provides user and operational support of application to business users.
• Formulates and defines systems scope and goals for complex projects through research and fact-finding combined with an understanding of applicable business systems and industry standards.
• Considers the business implications of the application of technology to the current business environment; identifies and communicates risks and impacts from tech stacks / implementation builds.
• Collaborate on design and implementation of workflow solutions that provide long term scalability, reliability, and performance, and integration with reporting.
• Develop in-depth knowledge and proficiency of supported business areas and engage business partners in evaluating opportunities for process integration and refinement.
• Direct the communication of status, issue, and risk disposition to all stakeholders, including Senior Management.
• Utilize strategic data analysis to inform program decisions, drive optimization, and ensure data integrity, delivering actionable insights that enhance program effectiveness.
• Assess and communicate the business implications of technology applications within program frameworks, ensuring that program decisions are informed by data integrity and potential risks.
• Manage and validate systems testing of KYC applications and tools, ensuring they meet operational requirements and facilitating seamless production implementation and sign-off.
• Conduct workflow analysis, business process modeling; develop use cases, test plans, and business rules; assist in user acceptance testing.
• Ensure adequate oversight and completion of executing test plans, scenarios, scripts, and procedures, as well as testing system modifications to prepare for implementation.

Qualifications:

Qualifications

Required Experience:

• 10+ years of risk management, compliance, control, and/or audit experience in a Bank or financial services institute with a demonstrated record of success and/or growth.
• Have an undergraduate degree or equivalent experience in Business, Finance, or other related fields.
• Strong managerial experience leading a team.
• Deep functional knowledge of the Wealth industries and applicable AML KYC rules, regulations, policies, and processes with preferred knowledge of and experience of Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Sanctions programs.
• Superior organizational skills, with proven ability to successfully manage multiple and concurrent priorities while working independently or with little supervision.
• Self-motivated with a passion for establishing and maintaining a culture of control within the business while keeping the client experience in mind.
• Demonstrated relationship management skills with ability to deepen relationships and build partnerships across the business and key functional support areas with a strong ability to influence a group of diverse stakeholders and drive accountability and ownership with key business partners and process owners.
• Detail oriented, with proven ability to question and identify opportunities within existing processes and business practices by leveraging previous experiences and knowledge of the business.
• Pragmatic problem-solver, forward thinker with independence of thought and strong critical thinking skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Ability to:

• Handle highly confidential information with appropriate discretion.
• Direct and drive senior stakeholders towards a common goal and high EQ.
• Operate with confidence and comfort in high-paced and high-profile environments.

Additional Skills Desired:

• Certified as an Anti-Money Laundering Specialist by ACAMS or equivalent AML certification/license is a plus.

Morgan Stanley's goal is to build and maintain a workforce that is diverse in experience and background but uniform in reflecting our standards of integrity and excellence. Consequently, our recruiting efforts reflect our desire to attract and retain the best and brightest from all talent pools. We want to be the first choice for prospective employees.

It is the policy of the Firm to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, age, sex, sex stereotype, gender, gender identity or expression, transgender, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, disability, marital and civil partnership/union status, pregnancy, veteran or military service status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Morgan Stanley is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversifying its workforce (M/F/Disability/Vet).

Expected base pay rates for the role will be between $150,000 and $235,000 per year at the commencement of employment. However, base pay if hired will be determined on an individualized basis and is only part of the total compensation package, which, depending on the position, may also include commission earnings, incentive compensation, discretionary bonuses, other short and long-term incentive packages, and other Morgan Stanley sponsored benefit programs.