Director, Fraud & Investigations

First Entertainment Credit Union is looking for a seasoned Director, Fraud & Investigations to serve as a strategic leader for our First Line of Defense (1LOD) for enterprise fraud risk. This role is responsible for the end-to-end execution of fraud prevention, detection, and remediation, ensuring alignment with Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) and regulatory standards. As the primary owner of fraud controls, you will elevate the maturity of our Governance, Risk, & Compliance (GRC) and Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) frameworks.

The Director partners closely with second-line risk and compliance functions while retaining clear first-line ownership of operational outcomes, control effectiveness, and the mitigation of emerging threats. You will also build and maintain robust and scalable, technology-forward frameworks that utilize advanced analytics and automation to stay ahead of sophisticated fraud actors.

This is a full-time, hybrid opportunity based in Hollywood, CA and reports to the EVP & Chief Operating Officer. The targeted pay for California is between $155k to $180k.

 Strategy & Risk Governance (1LOD Ownership)

·         Develop and implement scalable financial crime prevention strategy and framework, ensuring alignment with company SOPs, regulatory requirements and industry best practices.

·         Align fraud activities with the company’s risk taxonomy, appetite, and KRIs. Participate in RCSAs and scenario analyses to ensure control ownership.

·         Ensure compliance to AML/CTF, KYC, and Sanctions regulations. Lead internal/external audit efforts and manage remediation for identified gaps.

·         Drive the adoption of fraud detection tools and analytics; manage 3rd party vendor relationships for investigations and transaction monitoring.

·         Partner with ERM to define and maintain the CU’s financial crime risk appetite, policies, and standards in line with regulatory obligations.

 Fraud Operations & Incident Management

·         Lead fraud monitoring, alert reviews, and investigations across customer, employee, and vendor channels.

·         Coordinate with Legal, Compliance, People & Culture, IT, and law enforcement. Ensure all events are escalated according to regulatory and ERM expectations.

·         Serve as the primary control owner for fraud incidents, conducting root-cause analysis and implementing corrective action plans.

·         Balance fraud loss mitigation with operational efficiency and customer/member experience. 

·         Serve as the main contact for internal audits and external regulatory examinations with audit-ready documentation, proactively addressing findings, and institutionalizing corrective actions.

 Leadership, Reporting & Culture

·         Build and mentor a high-performing fraud & investigations team, fostering a culture of accountability and compliance.

·         Prepare comprehensive analysis, Board reports, first-line fraud metrics and trend analyses provide clear, business-focused insights.

·         Act as a liaison between internal stakeholders and external partners (law enforcements and financial intelligence units), optimizing our suite of tools and technologies to protect the Credit Union’s assets and reputation.

·         Embed a risk-aware, accountable culture within operations and the broader organization by implementing robust fraud prevention and escalation trainings and guidance.

·         Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business, Criminal Justice, or related field required. Advanced degree (MBA/JD) preferred.

·         10+years of related experience in a full-service financial institution with 5 years of experience in a leadership role required.

·         At least 7+ years of experience in financial crime, fraud prevention or compliance within the financial services industry is required.

·         CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner), or similar credentials strongly preferred.

·         Working knowledge in fraud detection systems, transaction monitoring tools, and case management platforms.

·         Strong knowledge of risk assessment methodologies and financial crime typologies.

·         Strong knowledge of BSA/AML, OFAC, and USA PATRIOT Act, Reg E and Reg Z required.

·         Thorough knowledge of regulations applicable to essential responsibilities.

·         Stellar verbal and written communication skills to convey information effectively.

·         Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, such as Excel, Access, Word, Power Point, and Outlook.