Global Head of Sanctions

Global Head of Sanctions

Full-Time 72000 - 108000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Alexander Barnes

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the global sanctions strategy and ensure compliance across all markets.
  • Company: High-growth global digital bank with a focus on innovation.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working hours, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Join a team that values precision, accountability, and continuous improvement.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of financial compliance in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
  • Qualifications: 6+ years in sanctions and financial crime programs, with strong regulatory knowledge.

The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.

Alexander Barnes has been engaged by a high-growth global digital bank to appoint a Global Head of Sanctions.

A senior compliance leader to define and execute the group’s sanctions strategy across all markets. To build a sanctions framework that can scale with the business.

You’ll balance regulatory precision with product speed, shaping how sanctions controls support growth.

The role sits across policy, risk, product, and operations – translating regulatory expectation into practical, data-driven execution.

Key responsibilities

  • Define and maintain the global sanctions framework, ensuring consistency and proportionality across markets
  • Lead sanctions risk identification, assessment, and mitigation across products, geographies, and partners
  • Oversee screening model validation, tuning, and reporting to management and the Board
  • Embed sanctions compliance in new product design through close partnership with Product, Engineering, and Operations
  • Act as the senior escalation point for complex sanctions matters and regulatory engagement
  • Monitor global regulatory developments (OFAC, EU, UK, UN and others) and drive implementation of required changes
  • Promote automation, data accuracy, and continuous improvement across sanctions operations

Skills and experience

  • 6+ years experience leading sanctions and financial crime programs within fintech, payments, or digital banking
  • Strong technical understanding of sanctions regimes and related screening systems – list management, model calibration, and workflow design
  • Experienced in risk assessment, control testing, and assurance within multi-market environments
  • Skilled at turning regulation into design – working with engineers to automate and improve control effectiveness
  • Direct exposure to regulators and senior management, with proven ability to brief and influence
  • Track record of modernising frameworks, closing audit findings, and driving measurable control uplift
  • Operates with urgency, precision, and accountability – a builder, not an observer

#J-18808-Ljbffr

Global Head of Sanctions employer: Alexander Barnes

As a high-growth global digital bank, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that empowers our employees to thrive. With a strong focus on professional development, we offer extensive growth opportunities and encourage innovation in a fast-paced environment. Our commitment to regulatory excellence and operational efficiency ensures that you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of financial compliance while enjoying the benefits of a supportive team and a forward-thinking organisation.
Alexander Barnes

Contact Detail:

Alexander Barnes Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Global Head of Sanctions

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to connections in the fintech and digital banking space. Attend industry events or webinars where you can meet people who might know about openings or can refer you directly.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of sanctions frameworks and regulatory developments. Be ready to discuss how you've tackled complex sanctions issues in the past and how you can bring that experience to the role.

✨Tip Number 3

Showcase your ability to translate regulations into practical solutions. During interviews, share specific examples of how you've automated processes or improved compliance measures in previous roles.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.

We think you need these skills to ace Global Head of Sanctions

Sanctions Strategy Development
Regulatory Compliance
Risk Assessment
Screening Model Validation
Data-Driven Execution
Product Design Integration
Automation and Continuous Improvement
Technical Understanding of Sanctions Regimes
Control Testing and Assurance
Influencing and Briefing Senior Management
Framework Modernisation
Audit Findings Resolution
Multi-Market Environment Experience
Collaboration with Engineering Teams

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Global Head of Sanctions. Highlight your experience in leading sanctions and financial crime programs, and don’t forget to mention any specific achievements that showcase your ability to balance regulatory precision with product speed.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Talk about your experience with sanctions frameworks and how you’ve successfully implemented changes in previous roles. Keep it engaging and relevant!

Showcase Your Technical Skills: Since this role requires a strong technical understanding of sanctions regimes, make sure to highlight your skills in screening systems, model calibration, and workflow design. We want to see how you can turn regulation into practical solutions!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!

How to prepare for a job interview at Alexander Barnes

✨Know Your Sanctions Inside Out

Make sure you have a solid grasp of the various sanctions regimes, especially those relevant to the role. Brush up on OFAC, EU, UK, and UN regulations, and be ready to discuss how they impact the digital banking landscape.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading sanctions and financial crime programmes. Think about specific challenges you've faced and how you successfully navigated them, particularly in multi-market environments.

✨Demonstrate Your Technical Savvy

Be ready to talk about your technical understanding of sanctions screening systems. Discuss your experience with list management, model calibration, and workflow design, and how these skills can help the company scale its sanctions framework.

✨Engage with Regulatory Insights

Stay updated on global regulatory developments and be prepared to discuss how you would implement necessary changes. Show that you can translate regulatory expectations into practical, data-driven execution that supports product speed and growth.

Land your dream job quicker with Premium

You’re marked as a top applicant with our partner companies
Individual CV and cover letter feedback including tailoring to specific job roles
Be among the first applications for new jobs with our AI application
1:1 support and career advice from our career coaches
Go Premium

Money-back if you don't land a job in 6-months

>