Job Description:
Role Summary/Purpose:
The VP, AML Monitoring, Analytics, Data & Technology Governance will serve as the AML and Sanctions technology Product Owner and the business and technical owner of Synchrony’s BSA/AML transaction monitoring and watchlist screening models and supporting systems, critical for combating financial crime and ensuring regulatory compliance. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing key aspects of the governance process across models, data, and technology, including coverage design, scenario/rules governance, development, vendor management, monitoring, validation, implementation, change control, and regulatory responses. You will lead strategic initiatives to enhance the robustness, effectiveness, and accuracy of these capabilities through rigorous oversight and collaboration with Model Risk Management (MRM), Compliance, Data Management, Operations, Technology, and external third-party vendors. This position is accountable for maintaining the highest standards in model performance, data quality, regulatory adherence, and supplier management, and will play a pivotal role influencing senior leadership decisions and regulatory examinations.
Our Way of Working
We’re proud to offer you flexibility. At Synchrony, our way of working allows you to have the option to work from home near one of our Hubs or come into one of our offices. Occasionally you may be required to commute or travel for in person engagement activities such as business or team meetings, training and culture events.
Essential Responsibilities:
Governance & Strategic Ownership (Models, Scenarios, Coverage, Data, and Technology)
- Serve as AML and Sanctions technology Product Owner for the transaction monitoring, watchlist screening, and case management tool ecosystem, partnering with Technology to manage requirements intake, backlog governance, delivery milestones, and release readiness.
- Own transaction monitoring coverage design across Cards and Deposits, including rationale for scenario coverage, risk/typology alignment, identification of gaps, and enhancement roadmaps.
- Lead the full lifecycle governance of AML transaction monitoring and watchlist screening models, including model selection, development, validation, implementation, ongoing monitoring, tuning, and retirement.
- Establish and maintain scenario/rules governance, including thresholds, segmentation, change control, approvals, and documentation standards.
- Define effectiveness expectations for transaction monitoring and screening programs and lead outcomes analysis, including false positive/false negative management and performance management information (MI) that supports program decisions and governance reporting.
- Lead model projects working closely with vendors and/or cross-functionally.
- Work on data collection and methodology evaluation to support model assessment, model development, testing and validation, and effectiveness enhancements.
AML Data Governance & Data Quality Management
- Establish and maintain AML data governance for monitoring and screening, including critical data elements (CDEs), data lineage, data dictionaries, and data control standards.
- Implement and oversee a data quality control framework (completeness, accuracy, timeliness), including reconciliations, exception management, root cause analysis, and issue remediation tracking through to closure.
- Partner with Data Management and Technology to ensure sustainable data sourcing, transformation controls, and audit-ready evidence of data quality and lineage.
Systems Governance (TM/Screening/Case Tools)
- Provide systems governance for transaction monitoring, screening, and case tools, including requirements definition, user acceptance testing (UAT) sign-off, access control requirements, audit trails, retention, and compliance-side change approvals.
- Ensure effective change management practices are in place for model/system releases, including release notes, impact assessments, validation/verification steps, and post-implementation monitoring.
Model Monitoring, Performance & Continuous Improvement
- Maintain comprehensive model and scenario documentation needed to meet regulatory requirements, including inventories, monitoring plans, change logs, and approvals.
- Lead the model monitoring process, including identification of root cause drivers of material shifts in performance and maintenance of model/scenario change logs.
- Champion ongoing monitoring and tuning initiatives to proactively identify degradation, false positives/negatives, and emerging risks.
- Lead efforts to innovate and enhance existing models leveraging advanced analytics, AI/ML techniques, and new data sources, as appropriate and in alignment with governance and MRM expectations.
- Deliver regular performance and risk MI to senior leadership, risk committees, and other governance forums, including outcomes trends, coverage effectiveness, and key risks.
Control Health Monitoring & Operational Resilience Reporting
- Establish control health monitoring for the AML monitoring/screening technology ecosystem and provide operational resilience reporting (e.g., stability, processing exceptions, repeat breaks, backlog themes, and recovery timeliness), including escalation of material issues and tracking to remediation.
Third-Party & Vendor Management
- Own the end-to-end management of third-party model and system providers supporting AML monitoring and screening, including onboarding, due diligence, performance monitoring, and contract compliance.
- Lead vendor risk assessments, audits, and remediation activities to safeguard the integrity and reliability of outsourced models and platforms.
- In collaboration with Sourcing and Legal, negotiate service level agreements and performance expectations with external partners.
Regulatory & Audit Readiness
- Maintain comprehensive, audit-ready documentation of governance activities (models, scenarios, data, systems), including validations, tuning/change approvals, data controls, and issue remediation.
- Proactively engage with examiners and internal auditors, ensuring Synchrony’s AML models, data, and monitoring/screening systems meet or exceed regulatory expectations.
- Lead response efforts to regulatory inquiries, internal findings, and industry developments related to AML/OFAC compliance monitoring and screening.
Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement
- Direct and mentor AML model, analytics, data, and supplier support team members, fostering cross-functional collaboration and knowledge sharing.
- Build trusted advisor relationships with Legal, Data Management, Operations, Technology, Model Risk Management, and third-party vendors to drive continuous improvement.
- Act as the senior escalation point for model-, data-, system-, and vendor-related risks, regulatory inquiries, and audit findings within scope.
Qualifications/Requirements:
- 5+ years hands-on Model Development experience.
- 5+ years hands-on programing skills utilizing Python, SAS/ SQL, AWS, and Data Lake, to perform statistical analysis and manage complex or large amounts of data.
- 8+ years of experience in AML/BSA compliance, model risk management, financial crime, or related regulatory roles within financial services.
- 2+ years management experience.
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree (MBA, MS in Data Science, Finance, or related field) strongly preferred; in lieu of a degree 11+ years of experience in AML/BSA compliance, model risk management, financial crime, or related regulatory roles within financial services.
- Ability and flexibility to travel for business as required
Desired Characteristics:
- Deep expertise in transaction monitoring and watchlist screening models, including practical knowledge of model development, validation, and tuning.
- Demonstrated experience serving as a product owner and partnering with Technology delivery teams to deliver governed capabilities in a regulated environment.
- Strong understanding of regulatory frameworks (BSA, AML, OFAC, FinCEN) and experience interfacing with regulators and auditors.
- Experience establishing data governance and data quality control frameworks, including CDEs, lineage, dictionaries, reconciliations, and exception management.
- Excellent analytical skills and ability to translate complex model/data/system risks to senior leadership and non-technical stakeholders clearly.
- Experience managing third-party vendors in a regulated environment, including contract negotiation and vendor risk management.
- Proficiency with GRC platforms, data analytics tools, and model risk management software preferred.
Grade/Level: 14
The salary range for this position is 170,000.00 - 290,000.00 USD Annual and is eligible for an annual bonus based on individual and company performance.
Actual compensation offered within the posted salary range will be based upon work experience, skill level or knowledge.
Salaries are adjusted according to market in CA, NY Metro and Seattle.
Eligibility Requirements:
You must be 18 years or older
You must have a high school diploma or equivalent
You must be willing to take a drug test, submit to a background investigation and submit fingerprints as part of the onboarding process
You must be able to satisfy the requirements of Section 19 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act.
New hires (Level 4-7) must have 9 months of continuous service with the company before they are eligible to post on other roles. Once this new hire time in position requirement is met, the associate will have a minimum 6 months’ time in position before they can post for future non-exempt roles. Employees, level 8 or greater, must have at least 18 months’ time in position before they can post. All internal employees must consistently meet performance expectations and have approval from your manager to post (or the approval of your manager and HR if you don’t meet the time in position or performance expectations).
Legal authorization to work in the U.S. is required. We will not sponsor individuals for employment visas, now or in the future, for this job opening. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.
Our Commitment:
When you join us, you’ll be part of an inclusive culture where your individual skills, experience, and voice are not only heard – but valued. Together, we’re building a future where we can all belong, connect, and turn ideals into action. More than 50% of our workforce is engaged in our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), where community and passion intersect to offer a safe space to learn and grow.
This starts when you choose to apply for a role at Synchrony. We ensure all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. We’re proud to have an award-winning culture for all.
Reasonable Accommodation Notice:
Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.
If you need special accommodations, please call our Career Support Line so that we can discuss your specific situation. We can be reached at 1-866-301-5627. Representatives are available from 8am – 5pm Monday to Friday, Central Standard Time
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