Director, Crypto Currency AML and Sanctions Compliance – EEMEA Job Listing at Mastercard in Cape Town, WC (Job ID R-270613)

Description

Our Purpose

Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we're helping build a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.

Title and Summary

Director, Crypto Currency AML and Sanctions Compliance – EEMEA Overview:
At Mastercard, we are committed to protecting our network from being used to facilitate money laundering, terrorist financing, and sanctions evasion. The AML and Sanctions Compliance team actively participates in the development and implementation of a robust compliance program that is designed to meet our regulatory obligations and ensure that internal and external constituents understand and respect the importance of their responsibilities regarding this function.
The Director, Legal AML Compliance for Crypto (EEMEA) will lead 2nd Line of Defense oversight of crypto currency-related AML and sanctions initiatives as part of the Global Compliance team. This role is responsible for providing subject matter expertise in digital assets, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations, and driving continuous improvement in AML and sanctions controls for crypto currency products and services. The role covers all EEMEA Customer types as well as products and services relating to Crypto. The role will work cross functionally at all levels within the organizational hierarchy, with a focus on supporting 1st Line of Defense activity by providing subject matter expertise advice in managing, controlling, and limiting risk to the organization.
The role aims to ensure that Crypto-related activity at Mastercard remains in compliance with Mastercard AML and Sanctions Standards, through Customer reviews, product evaluations, in depth data analytics, management of unusual activity as well as through the development of customized region-specific processes and procedures.

Role
• Support the EEMEA-based businesses in facilitating compliant business growth related to crypto programs.
• Work closely with 1st Line of Defense operations and product teams to assess crypto currency risks across the enterprise.
• Enable strong procedures that facilitate the timely onboarding and monitoring of customers.
• Evaluate new product features and services for potential AML and sanctions exposure Assessments, with a focus on crypto currency activities globally.
• Help develop risk mitigation strategies, ensuring compliance measures are integrated throughout the lifecycle of digital asset offerings.
• Establish and maintain AML and Sanctions Compliance Program tracking and metrics for crypto currency operations to identify trends, risks, and action items for program preservation and enhancements.
• Deliver regular reporting to the Global AML and Sanctions Officer and local business teams.
• Lead development and execution of crypto currency AML and sanctions training, guidance, and awareness initiatives across the organization.
• Support the 1st Line of Defense in conducting customer and Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) due diligence and investigations, leveraging advanced on chain analytics utilizing commercial tools, Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT), and onsite reviews.
• Manages crypto-related escalations from EEMEA-based 1st Line of Defense.
• Partner with Mastercard Transaction Services, Franchise and regional stakeholders to provide advisory on VASP onboarding requirements and crypto related product constructs.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for crypto currency AML and sanctions matters, supporting audits, regulatory exams, and inquiries for the EEMEA region.

All About You
• Bachelor's degree required, JD or advanced degree desirable.
• Minimum of 8 years' experience working in an AML program, with at least 2 years focused on crypto currency or digital assets preferred
• Knowledge and experience in conducting on chain analytics utilizing commercial tools and Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT)
• Strong knowledge of AML compliance program requirements, especially as they relate to digital assets and blockchain technologies
• Understanding of banking/financial operations, transaction processing, payments-related industry, and crypto currency markets
• Sound judgment with ability to build rapport at all levels and across business units; proven ability to persuade and drive results in a matrixed organization
• Proven ability to work independently or as a team player and function effectively in a dynamic, fast-paced environment while handling multiple projects and consistently meeting deadlines
• Superior attention to detail, problem-solving, organizational, and written/verbal communication skills
• ACAMS or equivalent crypto compliance certification preferred
Location: South Africa,

Corporate Security Responsibility

All activities involving access to Mastercard assets, information, and networks comes with an inherent risk to the organization and, therefore, it is expected that every person working for, or on behalf of, Mastercard is responsible for information security and must:

• Abide by Mastercard's security policies and practices;

• Ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the information being accessed;

• Report any suspected information security violation or breach, and

• Complete all periodic mandatory security trainings in accordance with Mastercard's guidelines.

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