Risk Team Lead - Wise Platform

Role & Job purpose

As a Risk Team Lead you will develop and oversee the daily operations of a team of Risk Specialists. Your team is responsible for mitigating risks associated with high risk customers, with a specific emphasis on Correspondent Banking environments. This area has a strong focus on maintaining compliance with AML/CFT regulations, and internal policies according to Wise’s risk appetite.

You act as a leader who balances regulatory safety with operational speed and commercial impact. You are not just a manager; you are a subject matter expert who unblocks the team and commercial opportunities, architects career development, and aligns daily tasks with Wise’s long-term mission.

Job Responsibilities

Team Leadership & Mission Alignment

• Lead by example, driving a customer-focused mindset while refining the high-level Wise mission into daily operational focus and priorities.

• Promote a culture of ownership and accountability, ensuring the team distinguishes between "routine urgencies" and "true impact."

• Operational Excellence: Set the cultural and professional standard for the team, ensuring seamless execution of Business-as-Usual (BAU) operations.

People Management & Talent Development

• Coach and develop a strong team; lead the hiring funnel and create robust training curriculums to ensure new members are set up for success from day one.

• Project Coaching: Support team members in driving their own initiatives, ensuring they have resources to succeed and remain accountable to timelines.

• Conduct career map check-ins and design development plans to architect the long-term growth of your analysts.

Operational & Risk Management

• Unblock the Team: Use expertise to advise analysts on risk-based decisions, handling findings, and setting mitigation actions to manage risk confidently.

• Control Design: Coach the team to evaluate and recommend monitoring controls based on inherent risks identified during onboarding.

• Audit Excellence: Ensure the team maintains a meticulous end-to-end audit trail for all risk decisions and processes.

• Procedural Implementation: Adopt and implement procedural changes, ensuring the team is aligned in their day-to-day work.

Performance & Data Accountability

• KPI & SLA Accountability: Use data proficiency to set, track, and report on performance, ensuring BAU is handled with accuracy and quality.

• Conduct regular 1:1 coaching sessions and team meetings to share best practices and maintain high team spirit.

Expertise & Calculated Risk Leadership

• Strategic Risk Leadership: Make high-stakes, calculated risk decisions and coach the team to develop the same level of professional judgment.

• Commercial-Compliance Calibration: Strategize by grasping the commercial impact of the team’s work, solving for friction while maintaining safety.

• Assist senior leadership with audits and proactively identify where controls are needed to support future scale.

Stakeholder Management & Communication

• Strategic De-escalation: Navigate challenging situations by focusing on core issues to reach resolutions.

• Persuasive Framing: Tailor conversations to demonstrate impact—from a risk perspective for 2LOD to a growth perspective for Commercial stakeholders.

• Navigating Blockers: Facilitate difficult discussions with internal and external partners; use challenge/pushback/influence to achieve goals.

• Strategic Risk Tolerance: Guide tolerance conversations with 1LOD and 2LOD to ensure the organization is comfortable with the risk-to-growth ratio.