AML Specialist - Second LoD - SAR Review & Compliance Oversight (m/w/d)

We, the emagine GmbH, are looking for experienced AML Specialists to support a regulated financial services organisation in strengthening its AML and financial crime compliance framework.

Location: Remote and Berlin (up to once per quarter)
Start: As soon as possible
Duration: 12 months with an option to extend
Workload: Full-time (100%)
Number of Consultants: 5

About the role:

We the emagine GmbH are looking for experienced AML Specialists to support a regulated financial services organisation in strengthening its AML and financial crime compliance framework.

The assignment sits primarily within the Second Line of Defence, with a strong focus on independent, risk-based oversight of Anti-Money Laundering activities.

The consultants will work closely with AML Operations, senior Compliance stakeholders and relevant MLRO functions.

The initial focus will be hands-on support with critical AML activities, with the scope progressively developing towards broader oversight of control design, effectiveness, risk trends and regulatory outcomes across products and customer segments.

The role requires strong regulatory judgement, excellent analytical skills and the ability to assess complex and sensitive financial crime cases independently.

Key Responsibilities:

• Review and approve Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements and delegated authorities.

• Review AML investigations and SAR narratives for quality, completeness, consistency and defensibility.

• Provide structured and constructive feedback to investigation teams.

• Identify complex, sensitive or high-risk cases requiring escalation.

• Perform second-line oversight of AML controls, including assessment of Transaction Monitoring effectiveness.

• Conduct thematic reviews covering SAR outcomes, escalation decisions, investigation quality and relevant financial crime typologies.

• Assess whether AML risks are appropriately identified and mitigated across products, services and customer segments.

• Analyse AML metrics, trends and management information to identify control weaknesses, emerging risks or deterioration in control performance.

• Contribute to AML risk assessments relating to new products, material changes and control enhancements.

• Support governance activities, documentation and clear delineation of responsibilities between AML and Compliance functions.

• Contribute to regulatory readiness by ensuring that AML risks, controls and decisions are appropriately documented and evidenced.

Your profile:

You should have:

• Several years of relevant experience within a bank, payments company, financial institution, fintech or similar regulated organisation.

• Strong practical experience with SAR processes, including investigation, drafting, review, approval or filing.

• A solid understanding of AML regulatory thresholds, financial crime typologies and escalation requirements.

• Experience exercising independent judgement in complex, sensitive or ambiguous cases.

• Experience reviewing investigations for quality, completeness, rationale and regulatory defensibility.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, particularly when documenting regulatory decisions and financial crime assessments.

• The ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with operational and senior compliance stakeholders.

• A structured, analytical and risk-based approach to problem solving.

• English language proficiency at C1 level or higher

Preferred Experience

The following experience would be advantageous:

• Experience working within a Second Line of Defence, Compliance Oversight, Quality Assurance or Risk function.

• Experience with transaction monitoring frameworks, monitoring scenarios and assessment of transaction monitoring effectiveness.

• Experience supporting or working closely with an MLRO or equivalent senior financial crime function.

• Experience with MLRO delegation or preparation of materials for senior financial crime decision-making.

• Experience conducting thematic reviews, trend analysis or control effectiveness assessments.

• Knowledge of European and/or US AML requirements and supervisory expectations.

• Familiarity with FIU processes and relevant financial crime guidance.

• Experience supporting new product risk assessments, regulatory change initiatives or AML control enhancements.

• Experience working across multiple products, markets or jurisdictions.

The successful consultants are expected to be able to quickly understand an existing AML operating model, identify relevant risks and controls, and provide clear, evidence-based assessments.

We are particularly interested in consultants who combine hands-on AML investigation/SAR experience with strong second-line oversight capabilities.

The ability to communicate clearly with both operational teams and senior Compliance stakeholders is essential.