I’ve been working at Wise for five and a half years now, starting as a Product Analyst and now leading the team. More specifically, I lead the analytics efforts within the Screening Group, focusing on ensuring that all transfers are in compliance with international sanctions regulations. A key part of my responsibilities includes mentoring and developing analysts, shaping the team’s strategic vision, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to prioritise the product roadmap and influence key objectives and results. 

A typical day for an Analyst at Wise is fast-paced and dynamic, with time split between larger ongoing projects and quick, ad-hoc analyses. This mix ensures both structure and variety in the work. Collaboration is at the core of what we do. Analysts often step into cross-functional roles that draw on skills like Product Management, and Compliance expertise. One of the standout activities we run is "Analyst Brownbags" — informal sessions where we present recent projects, share insights, and discuss key learnings.

There are several things I appreciate about working at Wise (which is why I’ve been here for so long). First, team members have ownership of their functions, which fosters proactivity, creativity, and productive collaboration. There are also plenty of professional development opportunities, like the Analyst Academy, where newcomers work on real projects under mentorship to accelerate their growth. Third, and you’ll hear this from many employees, we have a strong feedback culture. It’s not just about receiving feedback, but actively identifying areas for improvement and collaborating with your lead to create a clear development plan to address them.

As for challenges, Wise is fast-paced and priorities can shift quickly. As an Analyst, you need to stay focused, be proactive, and help guide the team towards the right goals. You also have to be quick to spot issues, challenge assumptions, and wear many hats to stay agile.

Depending on the project, analysts often work with stakeholders across various functions. For instance, in FinCrime, one of our key tasks is to flag suspicious transactions, some of which require manual review. This process can be time-consuming and costly, so a recent discovery project led by one of our analysts focused on identifying opportunities to automate this operational workload and reduce friction for customers.

During the analysis, the analyst worked closely with the Operations team to gain a deep understanding of their processes, and partnered with engineers to explore technical solutions. The proposed automation initiatives were then reviewed and fine-tuned with the Compliance teams to ensure they met regulatory requirements. After several rounds of collaboration, the proposals were prioritised and successfully implemented, resulting in a 9% reduction in manual workload. This not only improved operational efficiency but also enhanced the customer experience, as certain checks are now automated, allowing for faster transaction processing.

Starting a career in Analytics, especially in fintech, means staying agile and adapting to constant change. It’s not just about analysing data, but turning insights into action, collaborating with others, and driving results. Being open to feedback, asking questions, and refining your ideas is key. Your ability to influence, communicate clearly, and align your insights with business goals is just as important as technical skills.

We're looking for two analysts to join our Screening team. If you're ready to make an impact, we'd love to hear from you!