Head of AML Compliance - Berlin

 Head of AML Compliance - Berlin  

Are you ready to lead the fight against financial crime in an international banking environment? 

At Western Union International Bank (WUIB), we connect people and businesses worldwide — securely, quickly, and reliably. With our Beyond strategy, we go beyond money transfers and develop innovative solutions that make our customers’ lives easier and help them move forward financially. AML and Compliance are at the heart of building trust and ensuring sustainable growth. 

In this role, you will set the strategic direction for AML compliance, acting as the key point of contact for the FMA and European supervisory authorities. You will lead a team of experts, oversee AML frameworks, and ensure robust controls to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing. Your leadership will guide new products and markets, ensuring they meet the highest compliance standards while enabling innovation and customer trust. 

Your responsibilities will include:  

• Main point of contact for German supervisory and law enforcement authorities as well as the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU)  

• Fulfilment of the function in accordance with Section 25h (7) of the German Banking Act (KWG)  

• Independent handling and coordination of suspicious activity reports  

• Ensuring reporting obligations to BaFin and other authorities  

• Developing, implementing, and regularly updating internal policies and procedures to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing  

• Defining and monitoring compliance requirements and their implementation across products, services, and new business areas  

• Training and sensitising internal staff on compliance and AML matters  

• Close cooperation with the Managing Director and WUIB’s Head of Compliance and active contribution to business continuity planning  

What you bring:  

• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in compliance, AML, or risk management – ideally in a complex financial or payment services environment  

• A minimum of 3 years in a leadership or supervisory role  

• A completed university degree, preferably in law, economics, or finance  

• In-depth knowledge of applicable AML regulations, supervisory requirements, and payment-related products and processes  

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills  

• Excellent communication skills in both German and English, written and spoken  

• Experience working with regulatory authorities and internal stakeholders  

• Ability to lead and motivate a team  

We make financial services accessible to people worldwide. Join us as we shape the future. 

Western Union aims to become the most accessible financial services company in the world – transforming lives and communities along the way. We are a diverse, customer-focused team of over 8,000 employees across 200 countries and territories. We don’t just move money; we create user-friendly products and services that help our customers move forward. 

Just as we help our customers succeed, we also support our employees in achieving their career goals. You’ll benefit from numerous learning opportunities, career development options, and an attractive compensation package. If you’re ready to help shape the future of financial services, now is the right time to join Western Union. Learn more about our mission and team at careers.westernunion.com. 

You will have access to: 

• Short-term incentive programs 

• Accident and life insurance 

• First-class development platforms 

• Contribution-based pension plan 

• Group life insurance through the pension plan 

Western Union places great value on in-person collaboration, learning, and idea sharing whenever possible. We believe that consistent ways of working create added value and support the achievement of our business objectives, ultimately helping us reach our strategic goals. Through personal interactions, we can learn from each other, solve problems together, and drive innovation. 

Our hybrid work model assigns each position to one of three categories. Western Union has classified this position as Hybrid, meaning a flexible arrangement that allows employees to split their time between working from home and working in the office. The expectation is to work in the office at least three days per week. 

We are committed to an inclusive culture that reflects the unique backgrounds and perspectives of our global teams. We do not discriminate based on race, color, origin, religion, political affiliation, gender (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, marital status, or veteran status. Applicants with disabilities will receive reasonable accommodations during the application process in accordance with applicable laws. 

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