Project Manager - Sanctions in London

Duration: 6 Months (Possibility for extension)

Location: London/Hybrid (3 days per week on site)

Rate: A highly competitive Day Rate is available for suitable candidates

Role Overview

The purpose of the Sanctions Project Manager (Vice President) role is to support both the First and Second Lines of Defence (1LoD and 2LoD) by leading project and programme management activities across the bank. The role is responsible for leading, managing, and overseeing the Sanctions Enhancement Project - a multi-year transformation programme designed to support the bank's strategic objectives. This includes strengthening the sanctions control framework, operating model, data capabilities, technology, and associated processes.

Key Responsibilities:

• Leading change and delivery management activities for the Sanctions technology upgrade initiative (Fircosoft v6), ensuring solutions are effective, efficient, and aligned with business and regulatory expectations.
• Acting as the accountable execution lead, managing the project backlog, delivery schedule, key regulatory commitments, and milestones, while working closely with Operations and Compliance to ensure objectives are delivered on time and within budget.
• Operating independently across complex tasks and initiatives, building subject matter expertise and contributing to broader strategic objectives.
• Applying strong analytical and problem-solving skills to respond to queries, deliver tasks within agreed timelines, and proactively escalate risks, issues, or areas requiring further investigation.
• Managing multiple projects concurrently, effectively prioritising workloads to ensure high-quality delivery across all workstreams.
• Collaborating with the Financial Crime Management Group (FCMG), Compliance (CPD), and Internal Audit leadership team to support the resolution of findings, action points, and stakeholder queries.
• Driving process optimisation by identifying opportunities for improvement and implementing enhancements to increase efficiency and streamline workflows.
• Overseeing governance and reporting within the change management framework, including chairing Operating Committee and Steering Committee forums.
• Providing team empowerment, leadership by working closely with Business Analysts and PMO teams to prioritise tasks, coordinate deliverables, and ensure high-quality presentations aligned to senior management expectations.
• Recommending and strengthening controls by identifying issues, analysing root causes, and developing actionable solutions to enhance the overall control environment.

Skills & Experience:

• Industry and Regulatory knowledge applicable for the role, particularly of UK and EU Payment systems and transactions.
• Familiar with key Sanctions / Fin Crime industry systems such as Fircosoft.
• Evidence of previous experience in financial services, markets and banking activities and/or the relevant Fraud teams in other industries.
• Ability to manage and monitor large scale transformation programmes to deadline, budget and expectation.
• Able to work collaboratively as well as independently.
• Must be detail orientated, analytical and inquisitive.
• Evidence of innovative thinking and problem-solving.
• Must be able to communicate, both written and verbal with empathy and sensitivity with colleagues across a range of functions and seniorities, bearing in mind cultural and language differences as well as the commercial realities of our business.
• Practical and willing to take responsibility to ensure objectives are achieved.
• This role requires the ability to absorb complex subject matter rapidly and not be afraid to ask questions to ensure clarity and accuracy.

Candidates will need to show evidence of the above in their CV in order to be considered.

If you feel you have the skills and experience and want to hear more about this role 'apply now' to declare your interest in this opportunity with our client.

Your application will be observed by our dedicated team. We will respond to all successful applicants ASAP however, please be advised that we will always look to contact you further from this time should we need further applicants or if other opportunities arise relevant to your skillset.

Pontoon is an employment consultancy. We put expertise, energy, and enthusiasm into improving everyone's chance of being part of the workplace. We respect and appreciate people of all ethnicities, generations, religious beliefs, sexual orientations, gender identities, and more. We do this by showcasing their talents, skills, and unique experience in an inclusive environment that helps them thrive.

As part of our standard hiring process to manage risk, please note background screening checks will be conducted on all hires before commencing employment.

We use generative AI tools to support our candidate screening process. This helps us ensure a fair, consistent, and efficient experience for all applicants. Rest assured, all final decisions are made by our hiring team, and your application will be reviewed with care and attention.