Manager I

General Description

The Special Investigations Manager is responsible for overseeing the Special Investigations unit, which handles inquiries into customer claims, allegations, and internal issues, especially those related to possible employee misconduct, fraud, or violations of laws, regulations, and company policies. This role includes developing and implementing advanced investigative techniques, ensuring regulatory compliance, and driving process improvements to reduce organizational risk. The Manager collaborates extensively with Legal, Compliance, Human Resources, and other departments to discuss potential disciplinary measures for employees being investigated and to manage any necessary legal or law enforcement actions. Occasionally, the Manager may also meet with Popular’s external auditors and legal counsel as needed.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, manage, and mentor a team of investigative auditors.
• Develop and implement training programs to enhance investigative skills, including digital forensics, interview techniques, and emerging risk areas.
• Foster a culture of integrity, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Special Investigations & Audit Collaboration

• Oversee investigations of customer claims, internal irregularities, and whistle-blower cases, focusing on employee fraud and compliance breaches.
• Design and implement investigation strategies for complex, non-routine cases.
• Work closely with Labor Consulting, Legal, and other departments to review investigation outcomes, determine appropriate employee disciplinary actions, and address any law enforcement or legal matters.
• Collaborate with audit teams as a subject matter expert, providing guidance during audit planning and execution, especially in fraud risk prevention and detection.
• Prepare detailed investigation reports and present findings to senior management and stakeholders.

Risk Management, Compliance & Continuous Monitoring

• Identify and assess risks associated with employee misconduct and fraud.
• Oversee real-time monitoring of employee bank accounts, corporate credit cards, and expenses to detect internal fraud.
• Issue recommendations and corrective action plans to management, ensuring sustainable improvements and risk mitigation.
• Ensure all investigations comply with company policies and regulatory requirements.

Essential Duties and Responsabilities Continuation

Frameworks, Documentation & Process Improvement

• Develop and update investigative frameworks, manuals, and operational templates.
• Establish and maintain Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with key stakeholders.
• Promote a culture of compliance through staff training and support for ethical decision-making.

Strategic Initiatives & Budget Oversight

• Set annual goals for the unit, identifying and acquiring advanced tools and methodologies for effective investigations.
• Direct responsibility for the investigations budget, including travel, training, and certifications.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Auditing, Criminal Justice, Business Administration, or Information Systems.

Experience

Seven (7) years of experience in investigations, auditing, or a related field, with at least five (5) years in a managerial role. Experience with Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-Money Laundering (BSA/AML), Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), and FinCEN regulations. Proficiency in data analysis and applications (such as Excel, Power BI, ACL, Arbutus, Python).

Certifications/ Licenses

At least one professional certification/license required:

• Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
• Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)
• Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS)

Values

Additional Requirements

The information provided here is only a general guide as to the nature of the position and does not constitute an exact description of the goals, tasks, duties and responsibilities of the position. The specific details of each position are described in the employee’s performance evaluation.