Global AML Center (GAC) Operations & CAO – Vice President

Who we are looking for

We are looking for an experienced leader with a strong track record in AML/KYC operations and transformation to provide senior leadership within the Global AML Center (GAC) in Hyderabad.

As part of the GAC leadership team, you will own delivery & transformation across AML/KYC portfolios - onboarding, event-driven reviews, periodic reviews, screening and quality assurance. You will also help shape and drive GAC’s strategic agenda. That means leading technology-enabled change, automation and AI adoption to build a scalable, standardized and data-led operating model. You will also take on Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) responsibilities for GAC: overseeing business management, budget and headcount planning, governance, and the site and people agenda in Hyderabad. You will balance strong day-to-day delivery with a clear view of where the function needs to be in the future.

Why this role is important to us

The Global AML Center carries out AML/KYC activities as part of State Street’s global AML operating model. This includes Customer Identification Program (CIP), Customer Due Diligence (CDD), Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD), customer verification and customer risk rating across all business areas. Hyderabad is a key part of GAC’s global footprint.

Volumes, regulatory expectations and methodology changes keep growing, and adding capacity alone is not a sustainable answer. This role is central to changing how GAC operates: cutting manual effort, strengthening controls through technology and data, and positioning GAC as a strategic partner to the business rather than a purely operational function. As GAC grows, it also needs strong business management discipline: clear financial and headcount oversight, consistent governance, and a well-run site and people agenda.

What you will be responsible for

As Vice President you will:

Operational Leadership

Provide senior leadership for GAC operations in Hyderabad and act as a key point of contact for local India management and global stakeholders

Own end-to-end delivery across assigned AML/KYC portfolios against agreed service, quality, risk and productivity standards

Keep active oversight of volumes, pipeline, ageing and capacity, and raise emerging pressure before it affects delivery or compliance

Set clear priorities across BAU, new business, remediation and regulatory commitments, and move resources as demand changes

Strategy & Technology Change

Help shape GAC’s strategic direction and multi-year transformation roadmap, in line with business growth, regulatory change and the target operating model

Lead strategic change initiatives from idea through to delivery and adoption, with clear business cases, measurable outcomes and benefits tracking

Act as the business lead for technology change, working with Technology, product and change teams on enhancements to KYC platforms, workflow tools and data capability

Identify and drive opportunities for automation, AI, digitization and workflow integration that reduce manual effort, improve turnaround times and strengthen controls

Champion data-led decision making through better MI, dashboards and real-time visibility of pipeline, risk and performance

Make sure process, policy and methodology changes are turned into sustainable system and operational changes, reducing reliance on manual workarounds

Prioritize the change portfolio and balance investment, capacity and risk to deliver the greatest business value

Build a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, and grow change and digital capability within the team

Business Management & CAO

Act as CAO for GAC, partnering with the GAC Head on business management, planning and execution of the leadership agenda

Lead annual budget, headcount and workforce planning, including capacity models, run-rate tracking, attrition and backfill planning

Track expenses, productivity and cost efficiency, and support business cases for investment and location strategy

Run the GAC management operating rhythm, including leadership meetings, governance forums, management reporting and executive or board materials

Coordinate senior stakeholder and regulatory reporting, ensuring information is accurate, consistent and on time

Track key initiatives, decisions and actions across the leadership team, making sure commitments are followed through

Oversee administrative controls, including policies and procedures, entitlements and access, business continuity and resilience planning

Partner with HR, Finance, Procurement, Real Estate and Technology on hiring, onboarding, workforce management, space and infrastructure

Lead the Hyderabad site and culture agenda, including employee engagement, communications, town halls, recognition and talent programs

Risk, Control & Governance

Maintain a strong control environment in line with AML/KYC policies, procedures and regulatory requirements

Identify and address emerging operational and regulatory risks before they affect the business, and escalate where needed

Ensure new technology, automation and AI solutions are put in place with appropriate controls, governance and risk oversight

Support audit, regulatory and governance requirements

Stakeholder Leadership

Work with Business Units, Compliance, Technology and Risk teams to resolve dependencies, close control gaps and drive accountability

Represent GAC in senior forums with clear, fact-based views on delivery, strategy, risk, capacity and the decisions required

Influence senior stakeholders to secure support and investment for strategic and technology initiatives

People Leadership

Attract, develop and retain strong talent, and build leadership depth and succession across the Hyderabad organization

Hold managers and teams accountable for outcomes while empowering them to make decisions, and create opportunities for them to realize their full potential

Lead teams through change, building adoption and new ways of working

What we value

These skills will help you succeed in this role:

Strong understanding of KYC/CDD/EDD, client onboarding, periodic reviews, screening and financial crime controls

Strategic thinking: the ability to set direction and turn a long-term vision into executable plans

A proven track record of leading technology-enabled transformation, automation or digital change in a regulated environment

An understanding of how workflow platforms, data, automation and AI can redesign operating models

Proven ability to lead large, complex teams, including managing other managers

A forward-looking approach to risk, with the ability to anticipate issues rather than react to them

Strong analytical skills, with experience using MI, KPIs and capacity data to drive decisions

Excellent interpersonal, communication and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to challenge constructively

Strong business management and financial acumen, including budgeting, headcount and workforce planning

Ability to run a disciplined management rhythm and produce clear executive and board-level materials

A collaborative leadership style that balances empowerment with accountability

Education & Preferred Qualifications

15+ years of relevant experience in AML/KYC, financial crime or operations within a large global financial institution

Demonstrated experience leading strategic transformation and technology change programs, from business case to adoption

Significant senior people leadership experience, including leading leaders

Experience in business management role, including budget, headcount and governance ownership, is strongly preferred

Bachelor’s degree required

Strong knowledge of global AML/KYC regulatory requirements

Experience with KYC workflow platforms (e.g., Fenergo/FenX), automation tools or AI solutions is an advantage

Change or project management credentials (e.g., P