POD Head, Middle Office - AML Control

About UOB

United Overseas Bank Limited (UOB) is a leading bank in Asia with a global network of more than 500 branches and offices in 19 countries and territories in Asia Pacific, Europe and North America. In Asia, we operate through our head office in Singapore and banking subsidiaries in China, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, as well as branches and offices. Our history spans more than 80 years. Over this time, we have been guided by our values – Honorable, Enterprising, United and Committed. This means we always strive to do what is right, build for the future, work as one team and pursue long-term success. It is how we work, consistently, be it towards the company, our colleagues or our customers.

Job Description

The POD Lead is responsible for driving end-to-end execution of AML reviews within the assigned pod, ensuring delivery meets defined standards for productivity, timeliness, and quality.

The role focuses on ensuring no backlog, strong SLA discipline, and consistent control execution, while holding Reviewer Leads and Preparer Leads accountable for throughput and quality outcomes.

The incumbent also ensures the pod is operationally ready to adopt and implement process and system changes efficiently, with minimal disruption to delivery and control standards.

Key Responsibilities

Delivery Ownership & SLA Management

• Ensure timely completion of AML reviews across the pod in line with agreed SLAs
• Drive strict backlog management, ensuring no accumulation of aged or overdue cases
• Monitor and manage:
  • Case ageing
  • SLA breaches
  • Throughput gaps
• Execute daily and weekly workflow planning, including prioritisation and case allocation

Productivity & Throughput Management

• Drive achievement of productivity targets across preparers and reviewers
• Track and monitor daily output vs targets, and implement corrective actions where required
• Ensure efficient case allocation and workload distribution across squads

Accountability of Reviewer Leads & Preparer Leads

• Hold Reviewer Leads and Preparer Leads accountable for:
  • Throughput delivery
  • Timeliness of case completion
  • Adherence to SLA
• Set clear expectations and ensure alignment across squads on delivery priorities
• Conduct regular performance reviews and check-ins to ensure targets are met

Quality Assurance & Review Standards

• Ensure AML reviews are completed with:
  • Accuracy and completeness
  • Robust risk assessment and challenge
  • Clear, defensible documentation
• Drive consistent application of review standards across all teams, minimising rework
• Conduct and oversee quality checks and coaching to uplift reviewer capability
• Ensure outputs are audit-ready, with no audit or assurance findings attributable to pod quality gaps

Control Discipline & Execution Rigor

• Enforce adherence to:
  • AML policies and procedures
  • SLA timelines and escalation protocols
  • Proper documentation and workflow processes
• Ensure strong execution discipline across preparers and reviewers, including:
  • Timely RFI follow-ups
  • Proper case hand-offs and completion

Escalation & Issue Resolution

• Identify and ensure timely escalation of risks, issues, and bottlenecks, including:
  • Delays in RFI responses
  • Complex AML risk cases
  • Workflow inefficiencies
• Coordinate with stakeholders (Business, AML Ops, BRCM, Compliance) to resolve issues promptly
• Maintain clear visibility to Head of AML Control on key risks and support required

Monitoring, Reporting & Governance Cadence

• Track and report pod performance across:
  • Productivity
  • SLA adherence
  • Backlog / ageing
  • Quality outcomes
• Maintain strong operating cadence (daily tracking, weekly review)
• Provide structured updates to management on risks and action plans

Resource Planning & Utilisation

• Ensure efficient utilisation of pod resources, including:
  • Preparers
  • Reviewers
• Perform capacity planning and workload balancing based on volume and complexity
• Proactively identify and escalate resourcing constraints

Process & System Change Readiness (NEW – Integrated)

• Ensure the pod is fully prepared and operationally ready for new process changes, system enhancements, and TOM updates
• Drive effective implementation and rollout of changes within the pod, ensuring:
  • Clear communication and understanding across Preparer and Reviewer teams
  • Minimal disruption to productivity, SLA, and quality
• Monitor impact of changes on:
  • Throughput
  • Quality
  • Workflow efficiency
• Identify issues arising from new implementations and escalate promptly to drive resolution
• Ensure teams adopt new processes consistently and correctly, maintaining control discipline throughout

AML Projects & Continuous Improvement

• Participate in AML projects and initiatives as ACG representative
• Identify:
  • Process inefficiencies
  • Bottlenecks
  • Rework drivers
• Support and drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance:
  • Productivity
  • Quality
  • Turnaround time

Audit & Assurance Readiness

• Ensure pod operates with high control standards and strong documentation, minimising audit issues
• Address findings from BRCM, GC, and audit reviews in a timely manner
• Maintain consistent, defensible outputs aligned with governance expectations

Key Requirements

Experience

• 6–10 years of AML / KYC / Financial Crime / Control experience
• Proven experience in:
  • Managing AML teams and delivery pipelines
  • Achieving productivity and SLA targets
  • Handling escalations and operational issues

Technical Expertise

• Good understanding of:
  • AML lifecycle (CDD, EDD, OGR/ODD)
  • Case management workflows
  • Regulatory expectations and control frameworks

Core Competencies

• Execution & Delivery Focus
  Strong ability to deliver outcomes with no backlog and strict SLA adherence
• People Management & Accountability
  Ability to hold Reviewer Leads and Preparer Leads accountable
• Quality & Control Mindset
  Strong focus on audit-defensible outputs
• Adaptability & Change Execution
  Ability to implement new processes and systems effectively without impacting delivery
• Problem Solving & Escalation Handling
  Ability to resolve issues and maintain workflow continuity

Additional Requirements

Be a Part of the UOB Family

UOB is an equal opportunity employer. UOB does not discriminate on the basis of a candidate's age, race, gender, color, religion, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, or other non-merit factors. All employment decisions at UOB are based on business needs, job requirements and qualifications. If you require any assistance or accommodations to be made for the recruitment process, please inform us when you submit your online application.

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