Experienced professionals in this position will oversee key operational functions, ensuring alignment with strategic goals while maintaining high standards of efficiency and compliance. The ideal candidate must possess a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, coupled with at least three years of progressive experience in a similar role. Responsibilities include developing and implementing policies, managing cross-functional teams, and analyzing performance metrics to drive continuous improvement. Strong leadership, analytical thinking, and exceptional communication skills are essential to foster collaboration and achieve organizational objectives.
The Lead, Merchant KYC Support oversees the strategic and operational execution of Know Your Customer (KYC) initiatives throughout the organization. This role involves directing a team of KYC Support Officers, streamlining merchant onboarding procedures, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards, and maintaining the integrity of customer due diligence protocols.
The position demands a comprehensive grasp of KYC policies, risk evaluation methodologies, and regulatory compliance frameworks, coupled with the capacity to synchronize interdepartmental initiatives to uphold a robust risk management strategy and mitigate financial crime risks.
Oversee the primary duties and essential functions associated with the position, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and operational standards. Manage key tasks and deliverables to support team goals and maintain productivity. Execute responsibilities with precision, adhering to established policies and procedures while fostering efficient workflows. Collaborate with stakeholders to address challenges and optimize performance, contributing to the overall success of the department.
Offer strategic direction, mentorship, and day-to-day supervision to the KYC Support team, guaranteeing the prompt and precise execution of onboarding and periodic review responsibilities.
Conduct thorough evaluations of client files and risk assessments that present significant challenges, promptly escalating intricate cases alongside your strategic recommendations to senior leadership for definitive authorization.
Responsible for enhancing and maintaining due diligence workflows, validating documents, and establishing risk classification standards through ongoing evaluation and refinement.
Orchestrate the prompt completion of recurring, trigger-based, and event-driven client assessments to ensure adherence to all regulatory requirements.
Maintain meticulous data integrity and precise record keeping for all Know Your Customer (KYC) documentation and audit trails.
Serve as the designated escalation contact for internal stakeholders encountering KYC documentation or onboarding-related obstacles.
Work collaboratively with Compliance, Risk, Data & Document Management, and Customer Success teams to ensure KYC support aligns with established risk frameworks.
Monitor regulatory developments and evolving KYC compliance standards, evaluating their implications and proposing necessary adjustments to internal protocols and practices.
Facilitate the creation and implementation of KYC-related training initiatives tailored for the team and key cross-functional partners.
Prepare routine performance and risk exposure reports to facilitate informed decision-making by management.
Requirements
A Bachelor’s degree in Law, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field is required.
With a minimum of four to six years of relevant experience in client onboarding, compliance, or risk management, preferably within the KYC domain, the ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong understanding of regulatory requirements and operational best practices.
Experienced professionals with a background in leading or guiding teams within financial services or fintech organizations are encouraged to apply.
Demonstrates a comprehensive grasp of essential business account onboarding processes and the specific documentation prerequisites for SMEs and corporate entities.
Proficiency in relevant regulatory frameworks, including Anti-Money Laundering (AML) protocols, the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Know Your Customer (KYC) Guidelines, and Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Recommendations, is strongly advantageous.
Highly developed analytical capabilities, strong communication expertise, and proven stakeholder management proficiency are required for this role.
Proficiency in Know Your Customer (KYC) systems and associated tools is considered beneficial.
Possesses keen attention to detail and thrives in dynamic, high-pressure settings while maintaining precision and efficiency.
Success is defined by delivering projects on time and within budget, consistently meeting or exceeding client expectations, and fostering strong relationships with stakeholders. Achieving measurable results, such as increased efficiency, revenue growth, or process improvements, is essential. Additionally, demonstrating leadership through mentoring team members, driving innovation, and maintaining a positive work culture contributes to long-term success. Adapting to changing market conditions, embracing continuous improvement, and upholding ethical standards further solidify one’s impact within the organization.
Ensure merchant accounts undergo prompt, meticulous onboarding and risk-focused evaluations.
Enhance the organization’s risk management framework by maintaining compliance with the latest Know Your Customer (KYC) regulatory standards.
Through meticulous process monitoring and strict adherence to protocols, proactively identify and mitigate compliance risks to prevent breaches and audit exceptions.
Enhance the efficiency of onboarding and review processes to expedite turnaround times without compromising quality benchmarks.
Develop a proficient and adaptable KYC support team by providing ongoing coaching and training initiatives.
Ensure consistently high satisfaction among internal stakeholders who depend on KYC support services.
What We Can Offer You
We foster a workplace culture where employee well-being takes precedence, ensuring every team member feels valued and supported. Collaboration and inclusivity define our environment, as we actively listen to all perspectives and promote mutual care. At our core, we remain deeply human-centered in our approach.
We foster a culture of continuous learning and development, prioritizing knowledge sharing and professional training initiatives.
Your compensation package includes a competitive salary, a pension plan, comprehensive health insurance, an annual bonus, and additional benefits.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND
Experience Required
4 - 6 years
