AML KYC Manager

AML (KYC Team) - Manager - Fund Services

The Investor Services group(AML/KYC team) within Morgan Stanley Fund Services prides itself on providing best in class service to both the Hedge Funds and their investors.

We leverage the firm’s proprietary web-based applications and work closely with hedge fund clients, investors, and other teams within the division.

We are currently seeking a candidate to be a part of the Mumbai AML team.

This team is directly responsible for providing AML/KYC services which involves reviewing of KYC documents, identification of red flags, verifying the source of wealth and source of funds of investors, performing sanctions/negative media screenings, and conducting appropriate due diligence based on the risk score of investors.

The role entails a wide range of responsibilities related to investor relations, transactions, compliance, risk mitigation, reporting and communications. It requires attention to detail, strong analytical skills, and the ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

The successful candidate will play a key role in overseeing the day-to-day operations related to AML/KYC, ensuring the efficient and accurate processing of investor AML reviews, reporting, and the delivery of exceptional client service.

The role requires a deep understanding of hedge fund operations, AML expertise, and strong leadership skills to manage a team while collaborating with various internal and external stakeholders.

We are currently seeking a candidate to be a part of the Mumbai AML/KYC team. The position is based in Mumbai. These are client facing positions. The successful applicant will perform in AML/KYC roles to fit business needs.

Here is a breakdown of key tasks and responsibilities typically associated with this role:

• Operational Efficiency:
• Conducting day to day AML reviews of new investor account setup, including KYC (Know Your Customer), AML (Anti-Money Laundering) procedures, and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.
• Ensure investor accounts are in compliance with anti-money laundering requirements and regulations, and company AML policies and procedures.
• Arrange for the acquisition of due diligence requirements and compliance documentation (AML/KYC) as per the client risk level (low, medium, and high)
• Perform periodic due diligence reviews on investors as required by policy and regulatory regime.
• Ensure that all activity is processed in line with the fund documentation, anti-money laundering requirements, statutory regulations and company policies and procedures.
• Act as a contact point and escalation to the Senior Manager for team related activity.
• Ensure that investor KYC records are maintained in a complete and organized manner.
• Produce and review MIS and other internal operational reports that assist in the effective operation of the team.
• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the team, ensuring timely and accurate processing of investor AML reviews, inquiries, and requests.
• Identify and implement process improvements to increase efficiency, reduce errors, and enhance the investor experience.
• Manage the investor onboarding process, including the setup of new accounts and verification of investor information.
• Maintaining effective, professional operational relationships with management and colleagues in other functional teams to ensure that we deliver a unified service to our clients.
• A strong knowledge of our internal policies and procedures.
• Team Leadership and Management:
• Lead, train, motivate, mentor, and develop a team of AML professionals.
• Communicate team objectives, demonstrate sense of ownership and accountability.
• Ensure that individual team members are aware of the policies, controls and procedures that apply to their role.
• Foster a positive and productive team environment to meet organizational goals.
• Identify areas for skill development.
• Building AML process instructions for each topic that help new hires understand the process faster.
• Work closely with senior manager to ensure high impact client delivery is produced in day-to-day operations.
• Managing the delivery of services to clients against a pre-agreed service level agreement.
• Providing oversight and guidance to their team.
• Providing AML expertise and help to resolve issues arising from AML process.
• Should be able to determine risk-based approach and accordingly advise the team to process AML reviews.
• Ensuring that their team delivers services in a timely, accurate and compliant manner.
• Ensuring that the team has appropriate cover in place to cope with annual and ad-hoc leaves.
• Develop and maintain rapport with peers, colleagues, and offshore counterparts.
• Providing a point of escalation to team leaders and other team members as appropriate.
• Keeping management appraised of operational issues in a timely manner.
• Ensuring that line management are made aware of any HR or individual performance issues in a timely manner.
• Client Relationship Management:
• Act as a point of contact for AML related matters for institutional clients, ensuring their needs are met and addressing any escalated issues.
• Ensure high levels of client satisfaction by delivering consistent, high-quality services.
• Manage the resolution of complex investor inquiries or disputes, working closely with other departments as needed.
• Maintaining confidentiality of client information provided due to the nature of their role.
• Maintain effective, professional operational relationships with clients and colleagues in remote locations.
• Timely reporting of AML issues / status updates of investors to fund managers.
• Compliance and Risk Management:
• A detailed knowledge of the offering documentation for the funds being serviced.
• A strong knowledge of the regulations that pertain to the domicile of the fund being serviced.
• Complete understanding of our internal policies and procedures. Emphasis is required on all matters relating to Anti-Money laundering controls and regulations.
• Ensure that all investor related AML documents, and communications comply with applicable regulations, internal policies, and best practices.
• Maintain investor records and ensure data integrity in internal systems.
• Ensure all AML/KYCs operations comply with relevant regulatory and legal requirements.
• Monitor operational risks and take proactive steps to mitigate any issues related to compliance, accuracy, or fraud.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of clients, industry regulations, compliance standards, and market trends.
• Reviewing procedure documents and updating it with any new regulatory changes.
• Take ownership for the effective communication and resolution of issues.
• Ensure that line management, risk team/senior management are made aware of any AML/KYC issues in a timely manner. This will include escalating for action as well as escalating for outcome.
• Play a central role in the resolution of the specific issue, drafting of incident reports and in reporting to the line management.
• Play a role in ensuring that appropriate actions are taken to prevent a recurrence (e.g. employee training, procedural changes, system enhancements, etc.)
• Reporting and Analytics:
• Analyze operational data to identify trends and areas for improvement.
• Ensure timely and appropriate follow ups on pending items and update systems accordingly.
• Look for trends and reviews accuracy of information and reports.
• Ensure accurate and timely entry of investor static data into the system, including maintaining the investor database and tracking changes to investor profile.
• Client MLRO & Board Reporting: Assist with preparation and distribution of weekly, monthly, and quarterly investor AML status, risk attributes, level of due diligence etc., ensuring all required data is accurate.
• Prepare, supervise and/or deliver regular reports, including database reports, risk metrics reports, key performance indicators (KPIs) and Service Level Agreement (SLA) reports.
• Daily Status presentation along with relevant backups and action plan.
• Drive efficiency through excel based functions and data tools, for Auto Allocation of activities based on the priority, SLAs, and capacity of each team.
• Ensuring timely updation of timesheet.
• Collaboration with Cross-Functional Teams:
• Collaborate with onshore stakeholders, Investor Services, global financial crimes team and IT departments to ensure seamless integration of AML/KYCs within the broader business operations.
• Assist in the development of new tools, frameworks & services for enhancing AML systems by providing operational insights.
• Skillset:
• Experience with process automation and efficiency improvement initiatives.
• Good administrative and organisational skills with a particular focus on accuracy and attention to detail.
• An ability to work and lead under pressure, lead as part of focused globally team and an ability to cope with increased workloads at month-end.
• Prior experience in hedge fund operations, AML/KYC, or a similar financial services role is preferred.
• Well verse with KYC documentary requirements as per Simplified Due Diligence (SDD), Client Due Diligence (CDD), and Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) standards.
• Knowledge of financial regulations (e.g., AML/KYC) is preferred.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills with a focus on process optimization, ability to understand complex client exceptions, offerings, transactions.
• An ability to work as part of a virtual team that is spread across different time zones and geographies.
• Ability to use key financial systems and other IT tools.
• Strong knowledge of financial products, markets, and AML/KYCs operations.
• Proven leadership skills and experience managing a team.
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• In-depth knowledge of regulatory requirements related to AML/KYCs (e.g., SEC regulations, anti-money laundering).
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and generate reports.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and experience with AML/KYCs platforms or CRM tools.
• Qualifications, Technical Skills & Experience:
• Master’s Degree / Law / MBA in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field. Preferably in a business or numerical discipline.
• Certification in a professional association such as the Association of Certified Anti- Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS) would be helpful.
• 6-8+ years of AML/KYC experience within a regulated financial services firm / Fund administration
• A strong knowledge of global AML regulations (as it pertains to funds would be advantageous).
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with ability to build strong client and investor relationships.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and other data management tools; experience with financial software is a plus.
• A strong knowledge of global AML regulations (as it pertains to funds would be advantageous).
• Good administrative and organizational skills with a particular focus on accuracy and attention to detail.
• Good team player and ability to work independently with little supervision but also knows when to seek help and escalate issues where necessary.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with ability to build strong client and investor relationships.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and other data management tools; experience with financial software is a plus.
• An ability to work under pressure and an ability to cope with increased workloads at month-end.
• Work Environment:
• This is a full-time, office-based position with occasional remote work flexibility depending on company policy.
  

Good To Have

• Excel basics - Must have
• Advance excel skills - Fundamentals of VBA - Must have
• VBA coding - Good to have
• Any Digital tool experience (Alteryx , Tableau, Xceptor, Power BI, etc)- Good to have
• Comfortable with Microsoft office: Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio, Share point, Access
  

If you are a highly motivated individual with a passion for hedge fund operations and AML/KYC sector, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity within our AML/KYC fund services team.