Jess Keenan

Operations Manager
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Professional Overview

Jess Keenan is an experienced operations professional with a strong focus on compliance and risk management. As the Operations Manager at AML Ops, she is responsible for overseeing critical operational functions, driving process improvements, and ensuring the organization maintains robust anti-money laundering (AML) and financial crime prevention practices.

Experience Summary

Current Role

Jess has been the Operations Manager at AML Ops since April 2024. In this role, she is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the organization, leading a team of compliance professionals, and implementing strategic initiatives to enhance the company's AML and financial crime detection capabilities. Jess has played a pivotal role in streamlining operational workflows, improving data analytics, and fostering a culture of compliance and risk awareness within the organization.

Career Progression

Prior to her current role, Jess held several senior positions in the financial services industry, including Manager of Financial Crime Compliance & Conduct at Westpac Group and Senior Forensic AML Consultant at PwC. She has a proven track record of identifying and mitigating financial crime risks, leading cross-functional teams, and driving organizational change.

Jess began her career as an Anti-Money Laundering Investigator at Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, where she honed her skills in transaction monitoring, suspicious activity reporting, and customer due diligence. She later transitioned to a Customer Help Centre Team Member role, further expanding her understanding of client-facing operations and customer service.

Academic Background

Jess holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Melbourne, with a specialization in Accounting and Finance. She has also completed several industry-specific certifications in Anti-Money Laundering and Financial Crime Prevention, further strengthening her technical expertise.

Areas of Expertise

• Anti-money laundering (AML) and financial crime compliance

• Operations management and process optimization

• Data analysis and reporting

• Team leadership and employee development

• Risk assessment and mitigation strategies

• Regulatory compliance and audit management

Professional Impact

During her tenure at Westpac Group, Jess played a key role in enhancing the organization's financial crime compliance program, resulting in a 25% reduction in reportable incidents and a 20% increase in suspicious activity reporting. As a Senior Forensic AML Consultant at PwC, she led several high-profile engagements, helping clients strengthen their AML frameworks and improve their overall compliance posture.

Conclusion

Jess Keenan is a seasoned operations professional with a proven track record of driving operational excellence and fostering a culture of compliance and risk management. Her extensive experience in the financial services industry, combined with her technical expertise and strategic leadership skills, make her a valuable asset to AML Ops as the organization continues to adapt to evolving regulatory requirements and financial crime threats.