Global AML Center (GAC) Operations & CAO – Vice President @ State Street

Who we are looking for

We are looking for an experienced leader with a strong track record in AML/KYC operations and transformation to provide senior leadership within the Global AML Center (GAC) in Hyderabad.

As part of the GAC leadership team, you will own delivery & transformation across AML/KYC portfolios - onboarding, event-driven reviews, periodic reviews, screening and quality assurance. You will also help shape and drive GAC’s strategic agenda. That means leading technology-enabled change, automation and AI adoption to build a scalable, standardized and data-led operating model. You will also take on Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) responsibilities for GAC: overseeing business management, budget and headcount planning, governance, and the site and people agenda in Hyderabad. You will balance strong day-to-day delivery with a clear view of where the function needs to be in the future.

Why this role is important to us

The Global AML Center carries out AML/KYC activities as part of State Street’s global AML operating model. This includes Customer Identification Program (CIP), Customer Due Diligence (CDD), Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD), customer verification and customer risk rating across all business areas. Hyderabad is a key part of GAC’s global footprint.

Volumes, regulatory expectations and methodology changes keep growing, and adding capacity alone is not a sustainable answer. This role is central to changing how GAC operates: cutting manual effort, strengthening controls through technology and data, and positioning GAC as a strategic partner to the business rather than a purely operational function. As GAC grows, it also needs strong business management discipline: clear financial and headcount oversight, consistent governance, and a well-run site and people agenda.

What you will be responsible for

As Vice President you will

Operational Leadership

• Provide senior leadership for GAC operations in Hyderabad and act as a key point of contact for local India management and global stakeholders
• Own end-to-end delivery across assigned AML/KYC portfolios against agreed service, quality, risk and productivity standards
• Keep active oversight of volumes, pipeline, ageing and capacity, and raise emerging pressure before it affects delivery or compliance
• Set clear priorities across BAU, new business, remediation and regulatory commitments, and move resources as demand changes

Strategy & Technology Change

• Help shape GAC’s strategic direction and multi-year transformation roadmap, in line with business growth, regulatory change and the target operating model
• Lead strategic change initiatives from idea through to delivery and adoption, with clear business cases, measurable outcomes and benefits tracking
• Act as the business lead for technology change, working with Technology, product and change teams on enhancements to KYC platforms, workflow tools and data capability
• Identify and drive opportunities for automation, AI, digitization and workflow integration that reduce manual effort, improve turnaround times and strengthen controls
• Champion data-led decision making through better MI, dashboards and real-time visibility of pipeline, risk and performance
• Make sure process, policy and methodology changes are turned into sustainable system and operational changes, reducing reliance on manual workarounds
• Prioritize the change portfolio and balance investment, capacity and risk to deliver the greatest business value
• Build a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, and grow change and digital capability within the team

Business Management & CAO

• Act as CAO for GAC, partnering with the GAC Head on business management, planning and execution of the leadership agenda
• Lead annual budget, headcount and workforce planning, including capacity models, run-rate tracking, attrition and backfill planning
• Track expenses, productivity and cost efficiency, and support business cases for investment and location strategy
• Run the GAC management operating rhythm, including leadership meetings, governance forums, management reporting and executive or board materials
• Coordinate senior stakeholder and regulatory reporting, ensuring information is accurate, consistent and on time
• Track key initiatives, decisions and actions across the leadership team, making sure commitments are followed through
• Oversee administrative controls, including policies and procedures, entitlements and access, business continuity and resilience planning
• Partner with HR, Finance, Procurement, Real Estate and Technology on hiring, onboarding, workforce management, space and infrastructure
• Lead the Hyderabad site and culture agenda, including employee engagement, communications, town halls, recognition and talent programs

Risk, Control & Governance

• Maintain a strong control environment in line with AML/KYC policies, procedures and regulatory requirements
• Identify and address emerging operational and regulatory risks before they affect the business, and escalate where needed
• Ensure new technology, automation and AI solutions are put in place with appropriate controls, governance and risk oversight
• Support audit, regulatory and governance requirements

Stakeholder Leadership

• Work with Business Units, Compliance, Technology and Risk teams to resolve dependencies, close control gaps and drive accountability
• Represent GAC in senior forums with clear, fact-based views on delivery, strategy, risk, capacity and the decisions required
• Influence senior stakeholders to secure support and investment for strategic and technology initiatives

People Leadership

• Attract, develop and retain strong talent, and build leadership depth and succession across the Hyderabad organization
• Hold managers and teams accountable for outcomes while empowering them to make decisions, and create opportunities for them to realize their full potential
• Lead teams through change, building adoption and new ways of working

What we value

These skills will help you succeed in this role:

• Strong understanding of KYC/CDD/EDD, client onboarding, periodic reviews, screening and financial crime controls
• Strategic thinking: the ability to set direction and turn a long-term vision into executable plans
• A proven track record of leading technology-enabled transformation, automation or digital change in a regulated environment
• An understanding of how workflow platforms, data, automation and AI can redesign operating models
• Proven ability to lead large, complex teams, including managing other managers
• A forward-looking approach to risk, with the ability to anticipate issues rather than react to them
• Strong analytical skills, with experience using MI, KPIs and capacity data to drive decisions
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to challenge constructively
• Strong business management and financial acumen, including budgeting, headcount and workforce planning
• Ability to run a disciplined management rhythm and produce clear executive and board-level materials
• A collaborative leadership style that balances empowerment with accountability

Education & Preferred Qualifications

• 15+ years of relevant experience in AML/KYC, financial crime or operations within a large global financial institution
• Demonstrated experience leading strategic transformation and technology change programs, from business case to adoption
• Significant senior people leadership experience, including leading leaders
• Experience in business management role, including budget, headcount and governance ownership, is strongly preferred
• Bachelor’s degree required
• Strong knowledge of global AML/KYC regulatory requirements
• Experience with KYC workflow platforms (e.g., Fenergo/FenX), automation tools or AI solutions is an advantage
• Change or project management credentials (e.g., PMP, Lean Six Sigma, Agile) are an advantage
• Professional certifications such as CAMS or ICA are an advantage
• Proven ability to present to and work effectively with an executive audience
• Excellent verbal and written English and advanced MS Office skills

About State Street

Across the globe, institutional investors rely on us to help them manage risk, respond to challenges, and drive performance and profitability. We keep our clients at the heart of everything we do, and smart, engaged employees are essential to our continued success.

We are committed to fostering an environment where every employee feels valued and empowered to reach their full potential. As an essential partner in our shared success, you’ll benefit from inclusive development opportunities, flexible work-life support, paid volunteer days, and vibrant employee networks that keep you connected to what matters most. Join us in shaping the future.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we consider all qualified applicants for all positions without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, age, disability, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, citizenship, marital status, domestic partnership or civil union status, familial status, military and veteran status, and other characteristics protected by applicable law.

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