Regional KYC Operations Manager

Job title: Regional KYC Operations Manager

About the Role Northern Trust is seeking a Regional KYC Operations Manager to provide senior leadership and oversight of AML/KYC activities from Limerick. The role sits in the enterprise First Line of Defence (1LOD) AML function and serves as the senior Limerick-based AML leader, partnering with Global AML Leadership, Compliance, Risk, Audit, and business stakeholders. Accountable for strategic leadership, governance, and performance oversight of AML/KYC onboarding, periodic reviews, event-driven reviews, and client exits to ensure delivery meets regulatory requirements and enterprise standards.

What You'll Do

• Provide strategic direction for KYC operations in Limerick, aligning with Northern Trust’s global AML strategy and regulatory expectations.
• Act as the accountable owner for AML/KYC services delivered from Limerick, ensuring governance, controls, escalation mechanisms, and oversight.
• Oversee end-to-end KYC delivery across onboarding, periodic reviews, event-driven reviews, and client exits.
• Ensure consistent, high-quality KYC reviews across all teams, meeting SLAs, KPIs, quality standards, and regulatory expectations.
• Maintain accountability for AML risk associated with Limerick services; identify, assess, mitigate, and escalate risks as needed.
• Ensure compliance with global AML regulatory requirements across jurisdictions supported by Limerick teams.
• Partner with Compliance, Risk, Audit, and Legal to support internal audits, regulatory examinations, and assurance activities.
• Oversee regulatory change impacting KYC processes, ensuring timely adoption.
• Provide oversight of workload distribution, capacity planning, and resourcing to support growth and changes.
• Lead, develop and mentor KYC leaders (Team Leads and equivalents), building a strong leadership pipeline.
• Set clear performance expectations, objectives, and accountability for management teams.
• Drive talent development, succession planning, and retention for critical KYC roles in Limerick.
• Build and maintain strong stakeholder relationships; act as senior escalation point for complex/high-risk KYC matters.
• Represent Limerick AML operations in global governance forums, senior leadership committees, and regulatory initiatives as required.
• Support global initiatives to enhance AML/KYC operating models, technology adoption, and process efficiency.

What We're Looking For

• Extensive AML/KYC operations experience within financial services (5+ years).
• Deep expertise in AML/KYC regulations, global regulatory frameworks, and industry best practice.
• Strong understanding of AML/KYC operating models, governance frameworks, and first-line risk ownership.
• Proven senior leadership capability with strong people management and talent development experience.
• Experience engaging with auditors and senior compliance stakeholders (preferred).
• Strong stakeholder management, communication, and influencing skills.
• Strategic thinker with strong execution capability and operational discipline.
• Strong risk management mindset with the ability to manage complex issues.
• College or university degree and/or equivalent relevant professional experience.
• Work authorization to work in Ireland; Northern Trust cannot sponsor employment permits for this role.