Lead Investigator - Utility Player, CMPL

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Job Overview

Position Schedule: Full-Time

Lead Investigators are responsible for conducting comprehensive investigations of escalated transaction monitoring alerts, as well as manual cases, to assess the risk of potential money laundering or suspicious activity. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the Lead Investigator to determine whether a case can be appropriately mitigated and closed, or whether red flags still exist, and a SAR is warranted. If a SAR is warranted, the Investigations Team is responsible for drafting the SAR narrative, population of the SAR Form and ultimately filing the SAR within the required timeframes. The Investigator will maintain confidentiality and adhere to ethical standards due to the sensitive nature of information being reviewed.

• Ensure strict adherence to Financial Crimes policies and compliance with regulatory requirements, specifically regarding the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations, the USA PATRIOT Act, Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements, Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) regulations, and the Bank's internal policies and procedures (BSA Program) - US.
• Ensure strict adherence to Financial Crimes policies and compliance with regulatory requirements, specifically Canada Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorist Financing Regime Strategy 2023-2026 (AML/ATF) and Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) - CA.
• Independently lead complex/sensitive investigations with a high degree of professionalism. Responsible for autonomously developing the right investigative technique for non-routine cases. Likely to work directly with legal and/or outside counsel on particularly complex cases.
• Recognized as a subject matter expert in multiple facets of Financial Crimes (Sanctions, BSA/AML, KYC, and Fraud) and associated Firm Policies. Expected to apply this expertise to mentor more junior associates and represent Financial Crimes Program to lead or advise on a project for program or division initiative.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for junior analysts and investigators in cases that are high-risk, and non-routine. Expected to independently lead complex decisions that impact existing and prospective client relationships.
• Handles high-risk scenarios that directly impact the financial wellbeing of clients. Deploying techniques to build rapport and trust with potential victims effectively is imperative to protecting clients from monetary loss, and equipping law enforcement with information to pursue criminals through SAR/STR filings.
• Ability to speak and write in a clear, concise manner to communicate decisions, recommendations, or program perspective to the Chief AML Officer and/or other senior leaders on high visibility escalations. Examples of high visibility communications include:
  • Exits of client relationships with advisors in high profile branches (High level PML/AUC/regional leader, etc)
  • Decisions that impact existing or prospective high net worth client relationships
  • Decisions that involve disciplinary action of advisors or home office associates.
  • Responsible for leading changes that have an impact on the core work. The individual would be responsible for effectively communicating the change to peers, with a heavy emphasis on the why and benefit. In addition, to implementation, they would be expected to develop supporting materials including training and procedures.

• Bachelor's Degree

• Five or more years of brokerage or financial services industry or related experience, with a focus of two plus years on fraud, BSA/AML investigations, audit, or risk management required.
• Demonstrated experience in brokerage operations, banking operations, risk management, investigations, forensic accounting, business, finance, fraud, or anti-money laundering required.
• Must have strong working knowledge of major operations and compliance functions, specifically the movement of funds and securities and related regulations.

• Must be a team player with strong organizational, critical thinking and analytical skills
• Must have strong written and verbal communications skills to deliver difficult messages and conduct challenging conversations.
• Must be able to research/analyze data and recognize/evaluate customer activity patterns of customer activity.
• Must be able to work on multiple case investigations simultaneously.
• Must be an SME investigator with understanding of types of fraud and money laundering.
• Must be able to concisely and professionally present information and respond to questions from Edward Jones Senior leadership, Law Enforcement, Prosecutors, and Officers of the Court.

• Candidates that live within in a commutable distance from our Tempe, AZ and St. Louis, MO home office locations are expected to work in the office three days per week, with preference for Tuesday through Thursday.