Upvest, founded in 2017, enables any financial institution to offer great investment experiences to its customers. Upvest is an investment firm regulated by the German supervision authority (BaFin). The company currently employs 160+ people across Europe with its headquarters based in Berlin, Germany.
The company is backed by the world’s largest venture capital funds and investors including Bessemer Venture Partners, BlackRock, Earlybird, HV Capital, Notion Capital, and ABN Amro Ventures, as well as by renowned fintech entrepreneurs (including Maximilian Tayenthal, founder of N26, and Felix Haas, founder of IDnow).
We’re looking for fintech enthusiasts to join us in creating the financial infrastructure of tomorrow. We’re building the first European Investment API to enable any financial institution offering a wide range of efficient and transparent investment products, such as stocks and ETFs in nominal, portfolio, and fractional form. Our mission and vision is to make investing as easy as spending money.
We’re based in Berlin but are also open to hiring remotely in Germany, Estonia or the United Kingdom for this role. If you're currently based elsewhere but would like to move to Germany, we’re happy to support your relocation.
Your mission:
Acting as a Deputy AML Officer, you will be a pivotal part of Upvest’s AML function, tasked with strengthening the second line of defence through supporting the development of existing policies and procedures. We seek an individual with extensive KYC and AML expertise who successfully led these functions in similar organisations. You will work in close collaboration with the AML Officer, and should demonstrate a strong sense of ownership while executing controls diligently alongside the first line of defence. This role is crucial in protecting the company from financial crimes and ensuring compliance with applicable regulations and policies.
This role will give you the opportunity to:
- Develop, execute and maintain AML controls in line with regulatory requirements and industry best practices.
- Ensure quality of the first-level controls execution.
- Enhance monitoring systems and tools to improve detection and prevention of suspicious activities.
- Support second-line investigations of alerts escalated by first-level, produce auditable documentation of it, and
- Prepare the filing of Suspicious Activity Reports for the relevant FIU.
- Support the AML Function in navigating the changing regulatory environment in the EU (implementation of the AMLR) and UK by maintaining up-to-date knowledge of the relevant AML framework.
- Work closely with the AML Officer, providing necessary documentation and support during audits and investigations.
- Assist the AML Officer in updating internal policies and working instructions.
- Support the AML Officer in performing company-wide risk assessments to identify vulnerabilities and develop mitigation strategies in the context of the risk management system.
- Assist in developing and implementing training programs to educate employees on AML/CTF obligations and updates in regulations or new trends and vulnerabilities.
- Act as the contact person for BaFin, FCA, law enforcement, and the FIU, ensuring clear communication and compliance with regulatory expectations.
Job requirements:
- At least Bachelor's degree; relevant certifications (e.g., ACAMS, ICA) are a plus.
- Minimum 5 years of experience in KYC/AML operations within the financial services industry, preferably in Germany and/or the United Kingdom.
- Strong understanding of AML regulations in Germany and/or the United Kingdom, with a focus on reliance models and correspondent banking relationships.
- Proficient in utilizing KYC/AML monitoring tools and systems, with demonstrated experience in analysing complex data sets to identify suspicious activities.
- Solid knowledge of relevant AML guidelines such as FATF RBA on Securities Sector, EBA Risk Factor Guidelines, Remote Customer Onboarding, and BaFin AuA’s.
- Excellent communication skills in German and English, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, the AMLO, and senior management.
- Strong attention to detail and analytical skills, with the ability to make sound judgments and decisions in high-pressure situations.
Why Upvest?
- We're working on solving a hard problem: fixing the European securities financial infrastructure that empowers more people to be able to invest. You have the opportunity to contribute to this change.
- We invest in you. From access to a personal coach, development budget and plenty of opportunities to grow in your role.
- We take hiring seriously with a strong focus on keeping a high bar when interviewing (equally important is that we hire decent people, who are passionate about their craft and helping us achieve our shared mission).
- While we're not quite fully-remote, we are committed to being a flexible employer, as we understand you don't have to be in the office to do your best work.
- We live a culture of empowerment, trust (that we hire the best people and get out of their way) and openness (there's a greater advantage in sharing information than keeping it to ourselves).
Our values:
- Learn and grow. We aim high to shape our future. We give and request honest feedback knowing that we develop together. Progression over Perfection.
- Team first. We make it easy for others. We value our differences and are open to others' opinions. We win and celebrate together! Team over Egos.
- Own the outcome. Whether we win or we lose, we stand together. We are proactive and get the job done. Outcome over Process.
- Tell the story. We always start with the why. We share knowledge to empower others. Transparency over Complexity.
Upvest is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees
