Hiring for Head of KYC – Pune

Hiring for Head of KYC – Pune

We are currently hiring for the position of Head – Know Your Customer (KYC) for a reputed global financial services firm based in Pune. This is a leadership opportunity for a seasoned compliance professional to drive the KYC strategy and governance framework, ensuring alignment with global AML regulations and business needs

As the KYC Head, you will be responsible for leading the design, execution, and enhancement of the KYC framework across regions. You will act as a key point of contact for regulatory compliance, oversee high-risk client due diligence, and support global teams with policy interpretation, risk mitigation, and issue resolution. This role requires deep subject matter expertise in AML/KYC, global regulatory expectations, and practical experience in driving large-scale compliance operations and governance.

 Responsibilities:

• Serve as the subject matter expert (SME) for all KYC-related matters, providing advisory support to business, operations, legal, and compliance teams across geographies.

• Lead the implementation and continuous improvement of the KYC framework, ensuring it meets internal risk appetite and external regulatory obligations (FATF, FinCEN, OFAC, FCA, RBI, etc.).

• Own and manage the KYC policy and procedural documents, including regular updates, alignment with regulatory changes, and stakeholder training.

• Oversee complex KYC escalations, high-risk reviews, and politically exposed person (PEP) cases, ensuring proper risk classification and documentation.

• Act as the go-to advisor for business units on interpretation of KYC requirements, policy clarifications, and client onboarding best practices.

• Build, manage, and mentor a high-performing KYC advisory team, ensuring strong knowledge retention and execution standards.

• Collaborate with audit, risk, and compliance teams during internal reviews, regulatory inspections, and control testing.

• Identify and proactively mitigate KYC compliance risks, implementing controls, remediation plans, and strategic improvements as needed.

• Engage with regulators and global stakeholders, supporting responses to inquiries, audits, and compliance testing.

• Champion the adoption of automation, data quality controls, and analytics to improve efficiency, reduce operational risk, and streamline KYC operations.

Skills & Competencies:

• 14–18 years of experience in financial crime compliance, with a strong focus on KYC, AML, and client due diligence.

• Proven leadership in policy development, regulatory advisory, and KYC risk governance.

• Expertise in global AML/KYC frameworks, regulatory guidelines, and enforcement trends across jurisdictions.

• Strong analytical and risk assessment capabilities, especially in reviewing complex legal structures and client typologies.

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders, present findings, and manage governance forums.

• Demonstrated ability to manage and mentor large teams while driving policy compliance, process improvement, and operational excellence.

• Relevant certifications such as CAMS, CKYCA, ICA Diploma, or similar (preferred but not mandatory).

Why Join Us:

• Strategic leadership role in a globally integrated compliance function.

• Opportunity to define and shape the KYC landscape of a leading financial services firm.

• Work with global teams, drive regulatory engagement, and influence enterprise-wide decision-making.