Job Summary Overview

This position oversees all aspect of the credit union’s fraud program and ensures compliance with applicable rules and regulations. The Director of Account Protection manages day-to-day operations including reporting, fraud mitigation efforts for consumer and business accounts, and physical security. Reviews transactional activities, fraud controls and perform investigations to protect members and the credit union by mitigating fraud loss This position directs and leads all aspects of fraud functions and is responsible for compliance of applicable laws and regulations.

Essential Job Functions

• Primary point of contact and subject matter expert (SME) for all initiatives/projects impacting or requiring involvement within Account Protection and Security of the credit union. 
• Collaborate with other business units to gain an understanding of transactions, processes and procedures, their impact on other business units processes and procedures, and identify risk potential for fraudulent activity. Oversee comprehensive investigations into various financial crimes, including fraud, forgery and embezzlement.  
• Act as the Vendor Relationship Owner for all vendors related to physical security and fraud prevention.
• Serve as a subject matter expert (SME) for Account Protection functions, systems, and procedures.
• Ensure internal and external theft and fraud incidents are sufficiently investigated and resolved. 
• Review and present findings from financial investigations, ensuring detailed documentation and supporting evidence. 
• Directly oversee individuals within the Account Protection team.
• Act as the point person between Account Protection and other departments such as BSA, Risk, Online Services, and Retail Network. 
• Ensure complaints related to consumer and business fraud are adequately addressed.
• Ensure the credit union is adequately prepared for audits and regulatory examinations related to Account Protection and Security processes.
• Stay up to date on industry trends, compliance developments, and changes to laws and regulations pertaining to fraud.
• Research, recommend, and implement processes to improve operational efficiency and mitigate risks. 
• Analyze and build reports to identify trends, challenges, and areas for improvement in fraud detection and prevention. 
• Collaborate with other financial institutions and government agencies to minimize loss exposure. 
• Establishes and maintains an effective CDD risk rating and monitoring program to include initial and ongoing assessments, and reviews and analysis of unusual/suspicious account activity. 
• Work with the BSA/AML Department to perform SAR investigations, reviews and reporting as needed. 
• Recommends and implements responses to exam and audit concerns and oversees corrective action of all related Account Protection/Security deficiencies or violations. 
• Advises Compliance Officer and the VP of Risk of applicable emerging risks, new or amended laws, regulations, or agency guidance and recommend and implement changes and controls to mitigate those risks. 
• Accountable for the protection of credit union assets through all phases of the bankruptcy and legal process. 
• Oversees internal and external fraud investigations.
• Oversees branch and other facility security protocols including alarms, video, and robbery procedures.
• Responsible for identifying fraud trends that represent risk and loss exposure to the credit union and further provide timely resolution and education to mitigate those trends. 
• Responsible for the protection of credit union assets and for ensuring appropriate actions are taken on all accounts to minimize losses and maximize returns. 
• Accountable for overseeing timely completion of all incoming debit bureau disputes as well as ensuring accurate and timely reporting to debit bureau agencies. 
• Manages fraud investigative and support staff directly involved in the completion of responsibilities within the Risk Management and Account Protection. 
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Position Required Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience

Five years’ experience in a financial institution and two years working in fraud, financial crimes, compliance, or risk management required. One-year supervisory experience required. Proven expertise with financial investigations demonstrating forensic competencies, risk-based judgement, problem solving skills, and strong analytical ability. Experience conducting interviews/investigations. Understanding of complex scam and fraud tactics, typologies, and methodologies. Familiarity with leveraging complex algorithms and models to identify, prevent, and investigate incidents of fraud and scams. Ability to proactively identify cross-functional partners and engage with them proactively to solve problems. Proven collaboration skills with cross-functional teams to resolve member fraud escalations effectively, balancing risk with the member experience.

Bachelors degree in criminal science or accredited certification in fraud investigation and five (5) years’ experience in a financial institution or any related field in Consumer Lending, Loan Collection, specialized fraud investigation operations together with those related rules and regulations of our primary regulator or equivalent combination of education and experience. One (1) year supervisory experience required. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of computers and software applications in Windows, Excel, Access, and Word required. Proven ability to manage projects required. Ability to read, write, speak, and use proper grammar in English. Ability to read, analyze and interpret technical procedures, financial reports, legal documents, and government regulations. Ability to write business correspondence, write reports and procedure manuals. Ability to write business correspondence in response to sensitive inquiries or complaints. Ability to speak effectively presenting information to groups of membership, management, and board of directors. Ability to speak effectively to members regarding sensitive inquiries or complaints. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to apply mathematical concepts to determine and test reliability and validity. Working knowledge of Reg CC, Reg DD, Reg E, Reg Z, Uniform Commercial Code Section 9, FACTA, Patriots Act, Bank Secrecy Act, Treasury rules related to Office of Foreign Asset Control and FinCen. Ability to speak and present effectively to upper management, industry groups and members. Ability to read, analyze and interpret technical procedures, financial reports, legal documents, and government regulations. Ability to apply mathematical concepts to determine and test reliability and validity.

Licenses, Training, and Certifications Required

None.

Preferred Qualifications

Three (3) years supervisory/managerial experience.

Hybrid Work Environment and Physical Demands

• Regularly required to stand, walk, sit, climb or balance; use hands to finger keys accurately when using calculator machines or computer keyboards; reach with hands and arms. 
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. 
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distant vision, and color vision. 
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. 
• Must be able to travel independently to department and branch locations. 

NOTE: The job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. Requirements listed in the above qualifications and physical requirements are representative of the knowledge, skill, abilities, physical demands, or work environment required or encountered that must be met by an employee to successfully perform each duty and each function of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Employees who work from home must have business operational internet to complete work tasks and communicate via video call or chat messaging systems in a dedicated workspace.