Compliance Sanctions Officer

Overview

Job description

Business type

Types of Jobs – Compliance / Financial Security

Job title

Compliance Sanctions Officer

Contract type

Permanent Contract

Management position

No

Job summary

Are you a seasoned compliance professional with expertise in international sanctions and a passion for financial crime prevention? We are seeking a Sanctions Compliance Officer to join our Financial Security team in London (Financial Crime), supporting the bank’s mission to uphold the highest standards of regulatory compliance and integrity.

About the Role

As part of the Financial Security (FS) Department, you will play a critical role in ensuring the bank’s compliance with UK, EU, OFAC, and other international sanctions regulations. You will support the Sanctions Compliance Director in overseeing sanctions controls, and act as a subject matter expert for sanctions-related matters across the UK branch.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide expert analysis and risk-based decisions on transactions and clients from a sanctions perspective.
• Act as a final escalation point for payment filtering and customer screening alerts.
• Lead the annual sanctions risk assessment and implement local actions.
• Develop and deliver sanctions-related management information and training.
• Liaise with internal stakeholders and external bodies such as OFSI and OTSI and file regulatory reports, as required.
• Maintain and enhance local sanctions policies and contribute to Group policy feedback.
• Support horizon scanning for emerging regulatory changes, including performing gap analysis of new regulations.

Location

Geographical area: Europe, United Kingdom

City: London

Candidate criteria

Minimal education level

Bachelor Degree / BSc Degree or equivalent

Academic qualification / Speciality

Degree within relevant discipline

Experience

• Proven experience in a sanctions compliance function, ideally within investment banking.
• Strong knowledge of UK, EU, OFAC sanctions regimes and SWIFT payment messages (MT103, 202, 7XX).
• Understanding of the UK Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA), the UK Money Laundering Regulations, the Joint Money Laundering Steering Group, FCA guidance and the EU Money Laundering Directives.
• Experience in trade finance or financial crime advisory roles.
• Presentational and training experience.
• Relevant qualifications in financial crime, AML, or sanctions compliance.

Required skills

• Ability to assess complex sanctions matters and escalate appropriately.
• Excellent analytical, decision-making, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across teams.