Manager, Complex Investigations Unit – BSA/AML & Sanctions Operations

Pathward

. Lead a team of investigators responsible for reviewing, investigating, and resolving complex and high-risk financial crime matters across AML, Sanctions, and Fraud .

Posted 9/18/2026full-timeRemote • Arizona • United StatesSeniorLead💰 $72,000 - $120,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in leading complex financial crime investigations, including AML, Sanctions, and Fraud, while effectively managing teams and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Proficient in analyzing typologies, conducting root cause analysis, and maintaining high-quality investigative documentation.

Highest-signal resume keywords

BSA/AML Investigations ExperienceCAMS CertificationPeople ManagementTransaction Monitoring SystemsRegulatory Compliance

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Financial Crime InvestigationsSAR DecisioningComplex Investigations ManagementRoot Cause AnalysisQuality Control/Quality AssuranceInvestigative MethodologiesRegulatory Examination SupportPerformance ManagementData AnalysisDocumentation Review

Soft Skills

Strong Writing SkillsEffective CommunicationCoaching and Mentoring

Tools & Technologies

ActimizeFCRMBridgerWatchlist Screening Tools

Certifications & Qualifications

CAMS

Industry Keywords

AMLSanctionsFraudSARBSAComplianceFinancial CrimeRegulatory StandardsPerformance MetricsCase Artifacts

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead a team of investigators responsible for reviewing, investigating, and resolving complex and high-risk financial crime matters across AML, Sanctions, and Fraud
Manage intake, assignment, workload capacity, coverage, and resolution of complex investigations
Serve as the day-to-day escalation point for urgent and high-severity matters
Apply escalation and routing criteria for repeat SAR subjects, continuing activity, and examiner-, audit-, or enforcement-referred matters
Identify emerging typologies, thematic issues, and potential control gaps, escalating them with analysis and recommendations
Directly manage Complex Investigations Analysts, including hiring, performance management, coaching, and talent development
Review and challenge investigative analyses, conclusions, SAR/no-SAR determinations, SAR narratives, CARs, and documentation
Oversee QC/QA feedback, remediation, and analyst calibration
Support 314(a)/314(b), OFAC, and PEP-related investigative activity
Execute investigative standards, methodologies, and governance frameworks
Monitor and report inventory, aging, timeliness, SAR volumes, and quality metrics to BSA/AML leadership
Support root cause analysis, remediation, regulatory examinations, internal audit, and validation efforts
Maintain examiner-ready case artifacts and update procedures, desktop procedures, and checklists
Partner with Sanctions Operations, Fraud Operations, Compliance Advisory, Legal, and Technology on sensitive matters
Provide investigative support and coaching to product-aligned SAM, Fraud, and Sanctions teams

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree required (Finance, Criminal Justice, Accounting, Business, or related field)
CAMS or equivalent AML certification strongly preferred
7+ years of BSA/AML, Sanctions, or Fraud investigations experience, including SAR decisioning and filing
2+ years of direct people management experience, including coaching, performance management, and talent development
Demonstrated experience managing complex, high-risk typologies and multi-account or multi-entity investigations
Working knowledge of transaction monitoring systems (e.g., Actimize, FCRM) and watchlist/screening tools (e.g., Bridger)
Demonstrated success defending investigative decisions in audit, exam, or regulatory settings
Strong writing and communication skills, including the ability to review and elevate SAR narrative quality and present results to senior leadership
Product-level knowledge of funds flows, typologies, and party designations across Pathward's product categories and program-manager model

Benefits

Comp & perks

Annual performance-based incentive opportunity
Health insurance
401(k) retirement benefits
Life insurance
Disability benefits
Paid time off
Comprehensive benefits package
Remote-office work arrangement