Director, FIU – Typology Investigations & Strategic Analysis

Role Responsibilities.

• Lead typology investigations. Direct comprehensive investigations into high-risk typologies (e.g., terrorist financing, human trafficking, consumer fraud). Ensure rapid triage, rigorous case development, and decisive risk mitigation informed by pattern analysis and intelligence.
• Drive strategic analysis & enterprise mitigation. Assess typology threats at scale across Western Union’s products and services. Apply structured analytic techniques and threat modeling to convert fragmented signals into enterprise-level mitigation strategies and enhance detection models and controls.
• Enhance proactive intelligence collection. Institutionalize open-source intelligence gathering and rapid response to global developments. Generate high-quality investigative leads and maintain updated risk pictures across typologies and markets.
• Set transaction control strategy (AML & fraud). Oversee design, approval, implementation, and performance of real-time controls. Establish governance, decision rights, and metrics that balance risk mitigation with customer experience.
• Strengthen governance & operational discipline. Build dashboards, KPIs/KRIs, and oversight mechanisms for investigations, intelligence products, and controls. Ensure audit/exam readiness and consistent documentation standards.
• Innovate across methods, tools & data. Champion modernization of investigative and analytic methodologies. Oversee adoption of tools and platforms such as Python, Snowflake, automation, and ML to expand capacity, reduce cost, and improve precision.
• Integrate typology intelligence across compliance & risk. Embed typology insights into compliance and risk management processes. Partner with Regional Compliance, Analytics, Sanctions, and Risk Assessment to drive system enhancements and scalable solutions.
• Equip and maintain TISA as an enterprise resource. Position TISA as the organization’s expert resource for analytics and systems. Ensure readiness for complex, ad hoc, and innovation work supporting FIU and enterprise priorities.
• Represent FIU internally & externally. Act as a typology and analytic expert with law enforcement, intelligence agencies, and industry forums. Serve as a strategic partner to Compliance leadership across critical functions.
• Develop talent & culture. Mentor investigators and analysts; elevate typology expertise and intelligence tradecraft. Drive engagement through clear goals, recognition, growth pathways, and inclusive practices that promote collaboration and high performance.

Role Requirements

• AML Typology & Intelligence Expertise: Deep experience applying typologies and intelligence methodologies; ability to translate evolving threats into investigations, program changes, and enterprise controls.
• Analytic & Intelligence Tradecraft: Mastery of structured techniques, threat modeling, and pattern recognition; skilled at converting fragmented signals into actionable insights at scale.
• Innovation Leadership: Proven ability to advance methods, adopt new technologies (Python, Snowflake, ML), and enhance operational oversight.
• Technical Fluency: Proficiency with modern data analysis and visualization tools and compliance case management systems; ability to turn investigative leads and intelligence into effective data analytic approaches.
• Operational Excellence: Strong documentation discipline, audit readiness, and governance experience.
• Leadership & Influence: Success leading multi-jurisdictional teams and aligning cross-functional partners to deliver enterprise-scale outcomes.
• External Representation: Ability to represent FIU with law enforcement, intelligence agencies, and industry forums.
• Communication & Change Enablement: Clear, concise communicator; adept at guiding teams through change.

Preferred Experience / Skills

• 6–8+ years of relevant experience in retail/consumer financial services/payment services organizations with multiple financial products.
• 5+ years experience in a compliance management role focusing on anti-money laundering responsibilities.
• 5+ years developing and applying structured analytic techniques and threat modeling in financial services, government, or regulated industries.
• Deep knowledge of major AML typologies (terrorist financing, human trafficking, organized crime, consumer fraud).
• Engagement with law enforcement and intelligence agencies; experience in public speaking or executive briefings.
• Hands-on experience designing and tuning real-time transaction controls; familiarity with performance metrics and customer experience trade-offs.
• Familiarity with Python, Snowflake/SQL, automation, and dashboards (Power BI/Tableau); hands-on technical proficiency is a plus.
• Experience establishing KPIs/KRIs, governance routines, and audit readiness programs.
• Success partnering with Technology, Product, Data Science, and Compliance functions to deliver enterprise-scale risk mitigation.
• 5+ years managing investigative and analytic teams; ability to navigate complex regulatory environments.
• Graduate degree preferred; AML/financial crime certifications (CAMS, CFCS, ACAMS Advanced) a plus.

Work Shift

Western Union values in-person collaboration, problem solving, and ideation whenever possible. We believe this fosters common ways of working and supports how we execute initiatives for our customers. The expectation is to work from the office a minimum of three days a week.

Benefits

You will also have access to short-term incentives, multiple health insurance options, accident and life
insurance, and access to best-in-class development platforms, to name a few. Please see the benefits below specific to your country. If applicable, additional role-specific benefits will be mentioned during your interview process or in an offer of employment.

Your United States – specific benefits include:

• Family First Program
• Flexible Time off
• Medical, Dental and Life Insurance
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Parental Leave

For residents of Colorado, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania: Please do not respond to any questions on this initial application that may seek age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You may also redact this information from any materials you submit during the application process. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.
 

Salary

The base salary range is $165,000 – $180,000 USD per year, total on target compensation includes a base salary plus long-term and short-term incentives that align with individual and company performance.
 

Other Details

As part of the application process, all applicants are required to take assessments. Western Union has partnered with a 3rd party provider to administer these tests. Applicants will need to provide their name and email address in order to process the assessments. If you have any questions, you may reach out to careers@westernunion.com.

We are passionate about honoring our employee's identity and fostering a feeling of belonging. Our commitment is to provide an inclusive culture that celebrates the unique backgrounds and perspectives of our global teams while reflecting the communities we serve. We do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, political affiliation, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, marital status, or veteran status. The company will provide accommodation to applicants, including those with disabilities, during the recruitment process, following applicable laws.

Estimated Job Posting End Date:

02-28-2026

This application window is a good-faith estimate of the time that this posting will remain open. This posting will be promptly updated if the deadline is extended or the role is filled.