Director, Regional Head of AML Compliance (APAC)

About the role

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) is recruiting a Director and Regional Head of AML Compliance for the Asia-Pacific region. The role provides strategic leadership and oversight of AML compliance across APAC while supporting the broader Financial Crime framework, acting as a senior advisor to business, compliance and risk stakeholders. The candidate reports to both the Regional Head of Financial Crimes for APAC and the Global Head of AML, and is dual-hatted to advise MUFG Asia on all AML matters. The position sits in the Financial Crime Office of Asia.

Key responsibilities

• Execute MUFG's AML programme in APAC, including regional guidance and operating manuals, KYC and transaction monitoring transformation and automation, high-risk KYC reviews and FI EDD advice for APAC branches, and oversight of AML investigation quality.
• Lead and supervise the APAC AML Compliance department (KYC Advisory, Transaction Monitoring/Investigations Advisory, AML Product Advisory, Governance and Risk Controls).
• Maintain AML policies, standards, procedures and training, and act as a standing member of global and regional governance and oversight forums.
• Lead AML advisory work, including complex escalations, investigations and regulatory change management, and partner with first and second line of defence sharing services.
• Oversee product risk assessments, the global product risk rating methodology, trade finance framework and product control guidance, and the annual global risk assessment and transaction reporting framework for APAC branches.
• Serve as Risk Manager and chair the regional review and challenge committee, giving views to audit and testing teams and approving issue action plans and closure evidence.
• Review branch monitoring reports, support exams and audits, regulatory engagements and senior management dialogues, and represent MUFG in industry forums and regulatory interactions.
• Support MUFG Securities Asia and the development of regional financial crime strategy, including sanctions, AML and anti-bribery and corruption.
• Provide executive reporting and strategic recommendations, and drive automation and AI solutions across sanctions programmes.
• Manage a team, including recruitment, performance management, compensation and people development.

Required profile

• Minimum 15 years' experience in financial crimes in a financial institution or regulatory agency, and 15 years managing AML, KYC and transaction monitoring processes.
• Degree qualified, with significant senior leadership experience in AML/KYC/TM compliance, financial crimes, risk management or regulatory affairs.
• Proven track record of developing and implementing AML/KYC/TM requirements across multiple jurisdictions and managing compliance programmes with enterprise-wide oversight.
• Experience managing large cross-border teams and complex risk issues in sanctions, AML and securities.
• Experience in broader financial crimes compliance, including sanctions and anti-bribery and corruption, is a plus.
• Familiarity with APAC regulatory expectations, including MAS and HKMA, and with implementing automation, digital assets and AI solutions.

Required skills

• Strong executive communication, stakeholder management and people management.
• Knowledge of corporate banking, investment banking, transaction banking and/or global markets products.
• Ability to influence executive leadership and drive strategic decisions in a complex matrix environment.