We are seeking a highly motivated professional to join our team in this critical position. The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing key operational functions and ensuring alignment with organizational goals. Duties include leading strategic initiatives, managing cross-functional teams, and driving performance metrics.
The Lead, Merchant KYC Support oversees the operational and strategic implementation of Know Your Customer (KYC) initiatives throughout the organization. This role involves directing a team of KYC Support Officers, administering merchant onboarding procedures, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards, and maintaining the reliability of customer due diligence protocols.
This position demands a comprehensive grasp of Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations, risk evaluation methodologies, and regulatory compliance frameworks, coupled with the capacity to collaborate effectively across departments to uphold a robust risk management strategy and mitigate financial crime risks.
Oversee the fundamental duties and tasks essential to the role, ensuring all key functions are executed with precision and efficiency. This includes managing day-to-day operations, coordinating team efforts, and maintaining high standards of performance across all assigned responsibilities. Individuals in this position will be tasked with driving critical projects forward, adhering to established guidelines while fostering collaboration and accountability within the team. Additionally, they will be expected to identify opportunities for process improvements, optimize workflows, and contribute to the achievement of organizational goals through diligent execution and proactive problem-solving.
Provide 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 comprehensive reviews of client files and risk assessments deemed high-risk, promptly escalating intricate cases and strategic recommendations to senior management for final authorization.
Provide strategic leadership to enhance and maintain due diligence workflows, validate documentation with precision, and uphold and refine risk classification standards.
Facilitate the punctual completion of scheduled, trigger-based, and event-driven client reviews to ensure strict adherence to regulatory mandates.
Guarantee the precision of data and maintain meticulous record keeping for all documentation and audit trails associated with KYC procedures.
Serve as the primary contact for internal stakeholders seeking resolution of KYC documentation discrepancies or onboarding-related obstacles.
Work collaboratively with Compliance, Risk, Data & Document Management, and Customer Success teams to ensure KYC support measures are fully integrated within overarching risk management frameworks.
Monitor regulatory developments and evolving KYC (Know Your Customer) compliance standards, analyzing their potential impact on organizational protocols. Subsequently, propose and implement necessary adjustments to internal policies and operational workflows to ensure continued alignment with current regulatory mandates and industry best practices.
Facilitate the creation and implementation of KYC-focused training initiatives for the team and key cross-functional collaborators.
Prepare periodic reports on performance metrics and risk exposure to facilitate informed management decision-making.
Seeking a candidate with a minimum of five years of experience in a related field, preferably holding a bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline. The ideal applicant must demonstrate proficiency in project management software and possess strong analytical and problem-solving abilities. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, are essential to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders. Familiarity with industry best practices and regulatory compliance is required to ensure alignment with organizational standards.
A bachelor’s degree in Law, Finance, Business Administration, or an equivalent field is required.
Requires a minimum of four to six years of hands-on experience in areas such as Know Your Customer (KYC) processes, client onboarding initiatives, compliance frameworks, or risk management disciplines.
Individuals should possess a proven track record of leading or guiding teams within the financial services or fintech sectors.
Professional candidates will demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of business account onboarding processes, including the specific documentation requirements for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as corporate entities. Familiarity with the necessary steps and compliance standards for setting up business accounts is essential.
Proficiency in relevant regulatory frameworks, including Anti-Money Laundering (AML) protocols, the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Know Your Customer (KYC) directives, and Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendations, is strongly advantageous.
Proven expertise in analytical thinking, effective communication, and adept stakeholder management is essential.
A strong background in KYC (Know Your Customer) systems and tools would be beneficial.
Demonstrates meticulous attention to detail and thrives in high-pressure, dynamic work settings with efficiency and precision.
Success is characterized by the consistent achievement of ambitious goals, measurable outcomes, and sustainable growth. It involves fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and accountability while aligning with strategic objectives. Demonstrated by exceeding performance targets, driving operational efficiency, and cultivating high-performing teams, success is further reinforced through continuous learning, adaptability, and the ability to inspire and lead others toward collective excellence.
Deliver prompt, meticulous onboarding services and conduct thorough risk-based evaluations of merchant accounts to uphold compliance and operational integrity.
Enhance the organization’s risk management framework by systematically ensuring compliance with the latest Know Your Customer (KYC) regulatory requirements.
Implement stringent process controls to proactively identify and mitigate compliance risks, thereby reducing the occurrence of breaches and audit exceptions.
Enhance the efficiency of the onboarding process and review cycles to ensure timely completion without compromising quality benchmarks.
Develop a proficient and adaptable KYC support team by providing ongoing coaching and training initiatives.
Ensure internal stakeholders who depend on KYC support services experience consistently high levels of satisfaction.
What We Can Offer You
We value a culture that places our employees at the forefront, ensuring the well-being of each individual. Our organization fosters an inclusive environment where every perspective is valued, and mutual support is a cornerstone of our team dynamics. At our core, we remain steadfast in our commitment to humanity.
In our organization, we foster a culture centered around continuous learning and professional development, prioritizing knowledge dissemination and skill enhancement initiatives.
You will enjoy a competitive salary, pension contributions, comprehensive health insurance coverage, an annual performance bonus, and additional employee benefits.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND
Experience Required
4 - 6 years
