Legal Counsel ( Sanctions )

This senior role is part of the Sanctions team at a leading UK-based financial institution, reporting directly to the Head of Sanctions. The primary purpose of the role is to provide oversight, guidance, and risk management expertise in relation to sanctions compliance, particularly for the business units within Wealth and Personal Banking. As a subject matter expert, you will offer advisory support regarding sanctions risks and compliance with various global sanctions regimes, including those imposed by the UK, EU, UN, and the US, as well as internal group policies.The role will involve advising on risk management decisions related to customers and transactions with sanctions implications, providing expert advice and training, determining appropriate risk controls, and leading regulatory reporting processes for sanctions matters within the organisation.Requirements:Lead and provide subject matter expertise to the wider advisory team on sanctions-related matters, including client due diligence and transaction referrals.Advise on risk management decisions regarding customer retention, exits, and reporting for clients with potential sanctions-related issues.Manage a portfolio of advisory cases, driving them toward resolution.Ensure that compliance teams within WPB and CMB are kept informed about high-impact sanctions referrals.Provide advisory support to key committees, such as those overseeing reputational risk and client selection for WPB and CMB clients.Support commercial deals and provide wording assistance as required.Advise on changes to internal sanctions screening filters and conduct reviews based on referral findings.Determine and advise on appropriate controls to mitigate sanctions risks related to customer relationships, transactions, and products.Oversee periodic reviews, onboarding, and trigger-based assessments for customers in the CMB/WPB business units.Draft and submit disclosures to relevant regulatory bodies, including breach reporting, asset freezes, and license applications.Collaborate with internal investigation teams to support live sanctions investigations.Partner with legal teams to ensure sanctions risk is managed in line with applicable laws and regulations.