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The American Bankers Association is the banking industry's champion. Joining ABA makes you part of a team that: • has Extraordinary People - ABA experts are the "go to" sources for bankers, policy makers and the media for credible information and insights for the banking industry. • has Unmatched Scope and Scale - ABA's unparalleled information and services keep members current, knowledgeable and prepared. • is Impact-Driven - ABA has a proven record of bringing about positive change for our members and the industry. We take action and achieve results. Plus competitive pay, an outstanding benefits package, a convenient DC location, a professional collegial work environment and an opportunity to work on issues of national significance equals a winning combination!

Did you know that women and other marginalized groups are often reluctant to submit job applications if they don’t meet 100% of the requirements? We encourage you to take a chance! If you don’t satisfy every criterion, but know you can excel in the role, we urge you to apply! We’d love to connect and talk with you about joining our team.

Employer of Choice: ABA is recognized as a 2023 Great Place to Work!

Job Description:

The SVP & Counsel serves as ABA’s staff expert on Bank Secrecy Act, anti-money laundering, and sanctions law and regulations, including human trafficking, elder financial abuse, cannabis banking, and fraud developments. This role also serves to support bank compliance with the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act compliance and the remittance rule.

The SVP & Counsel will monitor and analyze legislative and regulatory proposals in assigned areas of responsibility; draft ABA comment letters and letters to Congress; and advocate policy positions before bank regulators and Congress. This position will also work closely with the ABA Communications team to amplify policy positions and respond to media inquiries. 

This position will keep bankers informed about regulatory and legislative changes in assigned areas of responsibility through drafting ABA Staff Analyses, updating ABA’s website, and making presentations to bankers on Zoom calls, in-person meetings, webinars, conferences, etc.

Key Responsibilities:

• Anticipate and analyze regulatory and legislative proposals related to BSA/AML/sanctions.

• Identify and explain operational and compliance issues presented by legislative and regulatory proposals and communicate the impact, as well as ABA policy positions, to regulators, Congress, the media, and other interested organizations. This includes drafting comment letters, statements for the record and testimony for Congress. Additionally, this role will analyze and summarize proposals and final rules, publish articles, and organize and present at ABA webinars and conferences. This role will work with the ABA communications team to respond to media inquiries.

• Develop and maintain working relationships with bankers, Congressional staff, and banking regulators.

• Serve as ABA’s chief representative to the Bank Secrecy Act Advisory Group; manage peer groups for community and large banks covering BSA/AML/sanctions issues. Present to compliance-related committees and other related ABA committees, working groups, and councils on the BSA/AML/sanctions portfolio.

• Advance ABA’s Congressional and regulatory objectives and participate in coalitions comprised of related industry organizations with similar objectives.

• Promote ABA’s visibility on BSA/AML advocacy through speaking engagement sponsored by state bankers associations and other organizations.

• Provide guidance to ABA’s Compliance Analysts and answer bankers’ questions regarding compliance within portfolio.

• Plan programming, create content, support development, and participate in delivery of ABA webinars, conferences and schools.

• Review and edit ABA Frontline training courses, articles, manuals, and other publications.

Qualifications:

• Juris Doctorate.
• 15 years of related experience with at least 8 - 10 years of banking or legal experience related to Bank Security Act/Anti-Money Laundering/Sanctions compliance.
• In-depth knowledge of BSA/AML/sanctions law and regulations.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully develop and execute strategic initiatives.
• Ability to successfully collaborate with internal and external stakeholders.  
• Trade association experience or experience working for a regulatory or executive agency preferred.
• Ability to travel (<20%).

American Bankers Association (ABA) is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, marital status, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected Veteran status, personal appearance, political affiliation, family responsibilities, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

ABA encourages and celebrates diversity so if you are motivated, hardworking and want to make a difference, come as you are!