Fraud Strategist - Identity and Access Management (IAM)

About the Team/Role:

The Fraud Analytics and Strategy team at WEX is responsible for Financial Crime detection and prevention. We are a data-driven team focused on optimizing the performance of our fraud detection tools and leveraging advanced analytics and a robust risk mitigation framework to protect our customers and the business from financial crime.

The Fraud Strategist contributes to the design and optimization of fraud prevention strategies. This position supports the management and enhancement of core fraud systems, including identity and access risk systems that support login event scoring, application decisioning, and step-up authentication logic. The Strategist will contribute to the development of detection policies for Account Takeover (ATO) and Application Fraud, assist in maintaining dynamic step-up authorization controls, and deliver data-backed insights in partnership with internal analytics, fraud operations, and engineering teams.

How you'll make an impact:

Key Responsibilities:

• System Management and Optimization

  • Support the management and optimization of identity and access risk systems.

  • Configure and optimize risk decisioning platforms to assess user risk in real time across login, application, and access events.

  • Collaborate with Fraud Operations, Engineering, and Vendors to support performance enhancements, system updates, and incident resolution.

• Strategy and Policy Development

  • Contribute to the design and implementation of fraud detection policies for Account Takeover (ATO), synthetic identity, and application fraud.

  • Support the maintenance and refinement of step-up authentication controls to dynamically manage risk while preserving user experience.

  • Monitor system KPIs, evaluate performance trends, and recommend process improvements.

• Data-Driven Insight and Innovation

  • Use analytics and risk models to inform strategy decisions, improve detection accuracy, and identify root causes.

  • Collaborate with Data Scientists to support the building and operationalization of machine learning models.

  • Identify proxy variables or creative data substitutes when ideal data is not available.

• Collaboration and Expertise

  • Contribute as a subject matter expert for fraud system performance and policy.

  • Build and maintain relationships across Analytics, Product, Engineering, and Fraud Investigations.

Early Success Expectations (First 100 Days):

• Improve capture rate of fraud by 3%.

• Decrease false positive alerts by 3%.

• Establish working relationships with key stakeholders.

• Develop a working knowledge of WEX products, systems, and fraud detection architecture.

What you'll bring:

• Education & Experience

  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Industrial Engineering, Data Analytics, Risk Management).

  • 3-5 years of experience in fraud strategy, financial crimes, or risk analytics.

  • Hands-on experience managing identity and access risk platforms is required.

• Skills & Attributes

  • Strong data skills: SQL, Tableau, Python, Snowflake, Data Lake, etc.

  • Proven ability to build and manage fraud rules and detection policies.

  • Deep understanding of fraud trends and controls related to Account Takeover (ATO), synthetic identity, and application fraud.

  • Good project management, cross-functional communication, and analytical problem-solving skills.

  • Experience with machine learning or AI-powered fraud models is preferred.

  • Prior experience in a global payments, fintech, or software-driven organization is a plus.

  • Possess data creativity. (E.g., if desired variables are unavailable, identifying proxies as business substitutes.)

  • Excel at detailed execution.

  • Be highly collaborative and engaging, willing to drive execution.

  • Deliver results on-time in a fast-paced complex environment.

  • Possess skills to think critically and strategically to identify and solve problems, develop and implement solutions.

Preferred Key Competencies

• Proven technical capability in Data Management. (SQL, Relational Databases, Data Warehousing Techniques, Data Mart Structure, Application Interfaces.)

• Data Science Techniques.

• Systems Management.

• Passionate about data.

• Experience with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Solutions.

• Experience in IAM fraud mitigation and prevention.

• Experience in a Global Company focusing on Technology, Payments Technology or Software Development is desirable.

• Experienced with effectively delivering transformational data projects.

• Proven track record of delivering solutions with significant business impact.

• Demonstrated analytical, problem solving, organization, and project management skills.

• Highly motivated, proactive and innovative.

• Experience working effectively in global complex organizations

• Thrives in a fast paced, goal oriented, dynamic organization with time sensitive deadlines.

• Strong project management skills, including stakeholder timelines and meeting management skills.

• Develop and maintain a network of contacts and external partnerships to achieve key business and organizational objectives.

• Thorough working knowledge of operations leading practices.

• Learn emerging technologies to support the organization's long-term strategic plan.

• Excellent communication skills including written, verbal and meeting facilitation/ presentations.

• Ability to interact effectively and gain credibility with internal associates at all levels.