Director, Head of Risk & Compliance, Consumer Banking Products

Western Union

Head of risk and compliance overseeing Western Union’s U.S. banking, digital wallet, and card products.

Posted 8/11/2026full-timeAtlanta • Colorado, New York • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $235,000 - $270,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in operating risk management and compliance oversight for banking and card issuance products, with a strong focus on regulatory adherence and cross-functional collaboration. Proven ability to develop and implement risk strategies, manage relationships with stakeholders, and drive compliance across digital payment products.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Operating Risk ManagementRegulatory ComplianceCard IssuanceCross-Functional Team LeadershipProcess Management

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Banking OperationsTransaction MonitoringFraud ManagementRisk ControlsAML ComplianceKYC ComplianceDigital WalletsCard ProcessingPolicy DevelopmentRoot-Cause Analysis

Soft Skills

People LeadershipTalent DevelopmentOrganizational Change ManagementRelationship Management

Tools & Technologies

Banking-as-a-ServicePayment Processing SystemsCompliance Monitoring Tools

Certifications & Qualifications

APRPCAMSCRCMCPP

Industry Keywords

Consumer BankingFintechReg EReg ZBSA/AMLOFACPCI DSSConsumer Protection RegulationsCARD ActReal-Time Payments

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

C++Cyber Security

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead operating risk management and compliance oversight for Western Union’s banking and card issuance products
Partner with business and product owners, legal, fraud, cyber security, technology, and the sponsor bank partner
Develop and oversee systems, processes, and controls supporting compliance for U.S. consumer card issuing and payment products
Partner with the first line of defense on customer experience, risk controls, fraud management, and digital banking enhancements
Drive scalability and reliability of digital wallets, debit cards, prepaid cards, and core banking platforms
Develop and execute the banking products and card issuance operating risk and compliance strategy
Ensure product development, marketing, customer support, and related processes comply with applicable laws and policies
Establish mechanisms supporting banking, AML, KYC, data privacy, card issuing, money movement, and banking-as-a-service regulations
Design policies, procedures, and controls for onboarding, transaction monitoring, suspicious activity monitoring, and third-party partnerships
Monitor compliance controls and key risk indicators; research weaknesses and recommend remediation
Manage internal audits and controls testing
Drive root-cause analysis, action plans, and cross-functional issue resolution
Support initiatives across debit, credit, prepaid, commercial, and digital payment products
Maintain executive relationships with card networks, processors, sponsor banks, fintech partners, and vendors
Maintain documentation and evidence for operating risk strategies, controls, issues, and remediation actions
Track emerging industry and regulatory trends and implement proactive risk mitigation strategies

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree (BA) or equivalent from a four-year college or university in a business-related field, or equivalent experience; MBA or advanced degree preferred
10+ years of experience in card issuance, consumer banking, fintech, related financial services, operating risk, or regulatory compliance
Advanced knowledge of federal, state, and other governing-agency regulations for bank processing and transaction monitoring
Knowledge of Reg E, Reg Z, UDAAP, BSA/AML, OFAC, PCI DSS, Consumer Protection regulations, and CARD Act
Deep knowledge of U.S.-based banking products, card issuing, and digital wallets
Understanding of banking operations, card processing environments, card network rules, and dispute management
Experience leading cross-functional teams across product, operations, technology, compliance, and risk
Proven ability to develop and manage relationships with functional and third-party partners
Strong process management and risk management background
Strong people leadership, talent development, and organizational change management skills
Familiarity with banking-as-a-service environments and sponsor bank relationships preferred
Knowledge of real-time payments, open banking, and cryptocurrency-linked card programs preferred
Relevant industry certifications such as APRP, CAMS, CRCM, or CPP preferred
Ability to complete required application assessments
Must be able to work from the office a minimum of three days a week

Benefits

Comp & perks

Short-term incentives
Multiple health insurance options
Accident and life insurance
Best-in-class development platforms
Paid Time Off
Medical, Dental and Life Insurance
Tuition Assistance Program
Student Loan Repayment (below manager level only)
Parental Leave
One day volunteer time off
$0 Money Transfer Fee Discount Code
Quarterly Recognition Program “Game Changers”
Employee Discount Program
Global Adoption Assistance
Global Scholarship Awards Program
401K plan