Forward

Role Description Forward's Risk and Compliance Operations is scaling to support 45x merchant volume without 45x headcount. The only way that works is if the function gets smarter faster than it grows. That is what this role exists to build. The Risk Intelligence Lead owns the analytical core of RCO. You will build the intelligence layer that powers decision-making across the function: - Dashboards that surface trends, patterns, and anomalies before they become incidents. - AI-assisted workflows that compress review time and reduce manual effort. - SQL infrastructure that turns raw operational data into forward-looking signals. - Automation that systematically eliminates unnecessary manual work. What makes this role distinct is where the intelligence comes from. You do not study the operation from a distance - you sit in it. Reviewing alerts and cases, working through merchant applications, understanding the day-to-day rhythm of the work is what gives you the pattern recognition to build systems that actually work. The best analytical infrastructure is built by someone who has lived the friction, not just modeled it. This is a build role at a company scaling fast. The person who does this well will shape what the RCO function looks like at 10x, 20x, 50x - and will grow directly with it. Qualifications - 4-7 years in fraud analysis, risk operations, compliance operations, or fintech - with hands-on queue ownership. - Deep knowledge of KYC/KYB: multi-layered business verification, UBO identification, beneficial ownership mapping, PEP and OFAC sanctions screening, EDD triggers, and perpetual ongoing monitoring. - Strong working knowledge of AML/BSA: SAR filing obligations and thresholds, structuring and money laundering typologies, high-risk red flags, and OCC/FinCEN examination standards. - Strong working knowledge of card payment processing: authorizations, settlements, Visa VAMP and Mastercard ACMP chargeback and fraud monitoring programs. - Strong working knowledge of ACH processing: return codes, NACHA guidelines, bank return resolution, and exception handling. - SQL proficiency - comfortable pulling and interpreting operational data from a modern data warehouse. - Python scripting for operational automation: scheduling scripts, API integration, data manipulation, alert generation, and report distribution. - Demonstrated experience using AI tools to augment operational work. - Strong written and verbal communication skills. Requirements - Own the Day-to-Day Merchant Lifecycle. - Manage the merchant application review queue. - Apply risk-based profiling. - Oversee bank account linking and verification. - Review and action transaction monitoring and fraud cases. - Handle bank returns, disputes, and chargeback escalations. - Act as subject matter expert for onboarding and operational risk. - Monitor onboarding, TM, and fraud queues. - Own the auto-adjudication boundary. - Perform root cause analysis on recurring issues. - Partner with Engineering to translate operational patterns. - Own the SQL-based reporting and analytical infrastructure. - Design and operate AI-assisted review workflows. - Build and maintain the Metabase dashboards. - Translate raw warehouse data into forward-looking signals. - Own model literacy for the team. - Identify manual workflows that can be eliminated. - Maintain SOPs that reflect how the team actually operates. - Spec, test, and validate operational tooling. - Track and report automation rate. - Serve as the senior RCO voice in cross-functional discussions. - Provide data-backed input on partner-level risk trends. - Design the Risk Intelligence function for scale. - Support the CRCO directly with ad-hoc analytical requests. - Own regulatory monitoring for the function. Benefits - Competitive salary and equity package. - Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits. - Flexible work arrangements and generous PTO. - Learning & development budget for conferences, courses, and certifications. - A direct line to shaping the operational and analytical architecture of a payments risk function scaling to 45x.