Senior compliance kyc analyst – japanese bank, amsterdam

We are seeking a Senior KYC Analyst for the European subsidiary of a leading Japanese bank renowned for its strong presence in corporate, structured, and project finance. Based in their Amsterdam office, you will play a pivotal role in overseeing and enhancing the customer due diligence (CDD) framework—including complex client onboarding, high-risk screening, and periodic reviews—to ensure the highest standards of compliance with regulatory requirements and internal policies.

We are particularly interested in candidates with a proven track record in Japanese or other Asia-headquartered financial institutions operating in Europe, who can leverage their experience to navigate cross-cultural dynamics and regulatory expectations within a Japanese banking environment.

As a Senior KYC Analyst, you will take ownership of critical compliance processes and act as a subject-matter expert within the team:

• Lead the collection, assessment, and approval of customer due diligence (CDD) information for new and existing clients, counterparties, and high-risk relationships;
• Oversee onboarding files by reviewing complex corporate structures and evaluating risk profiles in accordance with the bank’s policies;
• Conduct and coordinate periodic and ad-hoc reviews of high-risk clients and counterparties in line with evolving regulatory standards;
• Provide guidance and mentoring to junior analysts, ensuring best-practice standards in KYC/AML activities;
• Liaise proactively with internal stakeholders—including front office, legal, and risk teams—as well as external auditors and regulators on compliance matters;
• Escalate potential compliance concerns to senior management and support the development of process improvements;
• Support audit and regulatory reporting requirements and contribute to continuous enhancement of internal policies and systems.

What we're looking for:

• 5–7+ years of relevant KYC/AML experience, preferably gained within a Japanese bank or other Asia-headquartered financial institution in the EU;
• In-depth understanding of customer due diligence, EU and local regulatory requirements, and best-practice compliance standards in banking;
• Proven experience managing complex onboarding cases and risk assessments for corporate and structured finance clients;
• Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively with stakeholders across cultures and seniority levels;
• Strong analytical mindset, attention to detail, and a proactive approach to problem-solving;
• Fluency in English (spoken and written); fluency in Japanese is a significant advantage.

A salary in the range of €5,000 – €6,200 monthly (based on a full-time 37.5-hour workweek), excluding holiday pay and a 13th month. Secondary benefits align with the CLA Banks standards - we’d be delighted to share more details about this exceptional employer.

How we'll proceed. Within four working days we will let you know if you qualify for the position. We will schedule an introductory interview, either digitally or in-person. During this interview we will inform you as fully as possible about the vacancy, the company and the rest of the procedure. After consulting with you, we will introduce you to our client and then continue to guide you through the application process. The Independent Recruiters Group has a large team of specialized recruiters. Each recruiter has a strong focus on their own area of expertise. This makes them the ideal sparring partner for both the candidate and the client.