Who are we looking for? 

The AML/KYC Officer serves as the primary AML/KYC point of contact for the business and is expected to be fully conversant with all operational processes, policies, and procedures relating to AML and KYC. The AML/KYC Officer will work as part of a team with ongoing responsibility for the First Line of Defense for the SSGA Japan AML and KYC programs. 

As the SSGA AML/KYC Officer for Japan, you will be primarily accountable for ensuring the timely completion of KYC activities (Customer Identification Program / Customer Due Diligence / Enhanced Due Diligence) for new clients, as well as ongoing KYC reviews. In addition, this role will assist in preparing client reporting based on instructions from management. 

You will report directly to the Head of Operations Japan.  

You will interact with various key stakeholders, including client-facing teams, the Japan Money Laundering Reporting Officer (“MLRO”) and APAC equivalents, the Business Unit AML Officer (“BU AMLO”), the Compliance Risk Monitoring team, the State Street Global AML Centre (“GAC”), and the Boston Head Office AML team, to ensure coordination and the timely completion of KYC and periodic review processes. 

What you will be responsible for 

As an AMLKYC Officer, you will 

• Ensure that the SSGA businesses in Japan are compliant with the State Street Global AML and Sanctions Policies, the AML and Sanctions Business Unit Standard Operating Procedures (“BU SOP”), and Global KYC matrix requirements 

• Oversee and ensure that KYC is completed in a timely manner, both prior to onboarding and through periodic reviews (“PR”) and event-driven reviews (“EDR”) performed by GAC team 

• Provide oversight of outsourced activities, ensuring services are delivered in accordance with SLAs, and act as the business escalation point for issues 

• Perform transaction monitoring and detect any unusual or red flag activities 

• Act as an escalation point for Politically Exposed Persons (“PEP”), AML, negative news, and sanctions screening hits, and ensure timely feedback on requests for information (“RFIs”) raised by centralized screening teams 

• Ensure Unusual Activity Reports are completed and work with the Financial Intelligence Unit (“FIU”) on Suspicious Activity Reports, as required, to ensure the timely reporting of Unusual Activity Referrals (“UARs”) in accordance with the BU SOP 

• Review and update the BU SOP on an annual basis, and as required following Global AML toolkit releases 

• Provide Business Unit AML/KYC metrics as required for reporting (e.g., BU legal entity metrics, AML Operating Committee (“AMLOC”) metrics, periodic review forecasts) 

• Review and understand new business products and opportunities, and assess the inherent risks involved 

• Act as an escalation point for any business KYC/AML queries 

• Build strong partnerships with key stakeholders, including the BU AMLO, MLROs, client-facing teams, and key business partners 

• Participate, as required, in regional committees (e.g., APAC AMLOC), ongoing Global AML working groups, and Global AML training sessions 

• Coordinate requests from Compliance and Audit teams and provide required information in a timely manner 

Education & Preferred Skills / Qualifications 

• University degree required 

• 8+ years of experience in financial services, including KYC / AML experience   

• Genuine interest in and a strong understanding of financial markets   

• Broad-based experience with a focus on risk management or audit preferred   

• Team player and self-motivated professional with the ability to work under pressure, manage multiple priorities, and maintain strong attention to detail  

• Excellent Japanese and English language skills, both written and verbal. 

• Strong communications and organizational skills 

• Demonstrate ability to meet multiple deadlines 

• Strong project management skills  

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills 

• Understanding of artificial intelligence and generative AI concepts, including strengths, limitations, and appropriate use cases 

• Ability to leverage AI‑enabled tools (e.g., Microsoft Copilot or similar enterprise AI solutions) and identify opportunities to improve productivity, reduce operational risk, analysis and decision‑making