Group Head of Sanctions and Exports Controls in London

Group Head of Sanctions and Exports Controls in London

London Full-Time 100000 - 125370 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
ebury anz

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead global sanctions and export controls, ensuring compliance and enabling commercial growth.
  • Company: Join Ebury, a fast-growing fintech leader focused on global business solutions.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, mentorship, cutting-edge tech, and generous benefits.
  • Other info: Collaborative culture prioritising teamwork and personal growth.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of global finance while advancing your career in a dynamic environment.
  • Qualifications: 10+ years in financial crime with expertise in sanctions and export controls.

The predicted salary is between 100000 - 125370 £ per year.

Ebury helps ambitious businesses unlock global growth, and we take the same approach with our people. We encourage innovation and movement, collaboration and problem-solving, and foster an environment where everyone can feel they belong, are valued, supported and empowered to succeed. If you’re a collaborator who wants to help transform how businesses operate globally, get in touch - we’d love to discuss how Ebury can accelerate your career so you can shape the future.

Role Description: The Group Head of Sanctions and Export Controls is responsible for designing, implementing, and overseeing Ebury’s global sanctions and export control compliance framework. Operating at a strategic level, this leadership role sets the organisation’s global risk appetite and ensures that all products, services, and cross-border transactions comply with international sanctions regulations. As the ultimate escalation point and strategic lead, this role protects Ebury from regulatory, financial, and reputational risk while enabling commercial growth in dynamic global markets.

Key Responsibilities

  • Global Strategy & Framework: Design and maintain Ebury’s global Sanctions and Export Controls framework, policies, and risk appetite statements. Ensure these are effectively cascaded across all global jurisdictions and aligned with Ebury's strategic expansion goals.
  • Export Controls Oversight: Establish and govern comprehensive export control protocols tailored to Ebury’s trade finance and cross-border payment operations. Ensure robust screening and advisory processes for dual-use goods, military end-use, and restricted trade corridors (e.g., EAR, ITAR, UK Strategic Export Controls).
  • Leadership & Team Management: Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing global team of regional sanctions managers (e.g., UAE, UK, EU) and advisory officers. Foster a culture of compliance, operational excellence, and continuous learning.
  • Board Reporting: Act as the primary point of contact for executive leadership and the Board of Directors regarding sanctions and export control risks. Provide regular, data-driven reporting on risk exposure, shifting geopolitical landscapes, and the effectiveness of the control environment.
  • Regulatory Engagement: Manage relationships with key global regulators and competent authorities (e.g., OFSI, OFAC, EU authorities, and local FIUs). Lead responses to regulatory inquiries, audits, and exams related to sanctions and export controls.
  • Ultimate Escalation Authority: Serve as the final point of adjudication for the most complex, high-risk, or politically sensitive escalations, determining Ebury’s stance on multi-jurisdictional conflicts of law, complex UBO structures, and high-risk trade finance deals.
  • Systems & Technology Optimization: Partner with the Financial Crime Tech and Product teams to oversee the strategic direction of global screening platforms. Ensure screening logic is calibrated to mitigate global risks while minimizing false positives and operational friction.

Experience and Skills

  • Executive Expertise: 10+ years of deep subject matter expertise in financial crime, with a proven track record leading Sanctions and Export Controls functions at a global level, ideally within fintech, FX, correspondent banking, or trade finance.
  • Comprehensive Regulatory Knowledge: Master-level understanding of global sanctions regimes (OFAC, OFSI, EU, UN) and international export control frameworks. Proven ability to navigate extraterritoriality and conflicts of law.
  • Strategic Leadership: Extensive experience managing, scaling, and inspiring diverse, globally distributed teams of compliance professionals and subject matter experts.
  • Commercial & Risk Acumen: Exceptional ability to align strict regulatory requirements with Ebury’s fast-paced commercial objectives, acting as a true business enabler while fiercely protecting the firm’s regulatory standing.
  • Stakeholder Management: Highly developed communication and negotiation skills, with a demonstrated ability to influence senior executives, board members, and global regulators.

Why Ebury?

  • Competitive Starting Salary with an annual discretionary bonus that truly rewards your performance from day one.
  • Dedicated Mentorship: Learn directly from experienced managers who are invested in your success.
  • Cutting-Edge Technology: Leverage state-of-the-art tailor made tools and systems that enable you to perform at your best.
  • Clear, Accelerated Career Progression: Defined pathways to leadership and specialist roles within Ebury.
  • Dynamic & Supportive Culture: Work in a collaborative environment where teamwork and personal growth are prioritized.
  • Generous Benefits Package: Access competitive benefits tailored to your location, which typically include health care and social benefits.
  • Central Office: A fantastic location with excellent transport links.

Ready to launch your career with a global FinTech? Click the ‘Apply’ Today and discover your potential at Ebury!

About us: Ebury delivers sophisticated, integrated solutions — business accounts, hedging, and financing — on a single platform with a seamless workflow. Our success is built on a simple premise and singular purpose: To help businesses operate and scale globally. Since its founding in 2009, Ebury has always been a fast-growing leader in fintech. Today, we bring together 1,800+ Eburians across nearly 70 cities and we’re always looking to add to our team. At the heart of our offering is a proprietary platform, purpose-built to help businesses seamlessly streamline and manage global cash flow. We focus on continuous product evolution and innovation to build the infrastructure for borderless growth and help our clients scale at every stage. The opportunities at Ebury are as diverse as our people, ranging from business development to engineering roles across our tech pillars. We believe in inclusion. We stand against discrimination in all forms and are against the intolerance of differences that makes us a modern and successful organisation. At Ebury, you can be whoever you want to be and still feel a sense of belonging no matter your story.

ebury anz

Contact Details:

ebury anz Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Group Head of Sanctions and Exports Controls in London

Join Compliance Communities

Get involved in compliance and risk communities — both online and offline. Look for forums, LinkedIn groups, or even local meetups where compliance pros hang out. You never know who might drop a job opportunity your way!

Attend Industry Conferences

Keep an eye out for compliance and risk management conferences and workshops in your area. These events are a goldmine for networking, and they often have job boards or recruiters on-site looking for new talent. Plus, it’s a chance to learn what's trending in the field.

Leverage Your University Career Services

If you’ve recently graduated or are still studying, head over to your university's career services. Many companies, including those in compliance, actively recruit fresh talent through these services, so make sure you tap into that resource.

Showcase Your Knowledge Online

Start writing articles or blog posts about compliance topics that interest you. Share them on platforms like LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and passion. This not only builds your presence in the field but can also catch the attention of companies like ebury anz looking for candidates who are engaged and informed.

We think you need these skills to ace Group Head of Sanctions and Exports Controls in London

Sanctions Compliance
Export Controls Knowledge
Regulatory Engagement
Risk Management
Strategic Leadership
Team Management
Stakeholder Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Understanding of Compliance:In the compliance-risk field, it's super important to showcase your understanding of regulations and risk management frameworks. Highlight any relevant coursework, certifications (like ICA or AML), or even projects that demonstrate your knowledge and commitment to this area. We want to see how you can navigate this complex landscape!

Quantify Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, try to quantify your achievements. For example, if you've previously worked on a project that improved compliance metrics or reduced risk exposure, give us the numbers! This data-driven approach really stands out to hiring managers in compliance-risk roles.

Tailor Your CV to Reflect Relevant Skills:Make sure your CV highlights skills that are particularly relevant to compliance, like attention to detail, analytical thinking, and report writing. Ensure these are easy to spot – consider using bullet points to break down your responsibilities and achievements for maximum impact!

Craft a Motivating Cover Letter:In your cover letter, let us know why you’re excited about the compliance-risk role at ebury anz. Share what motivates you about compliance, and how you believe you can contribute to our mission. This is your chance to showcase not only your skills but also your passion for this important field!

How to prepare for a job interview at ebury anz

Master the Regulations

Brush up on key compliance regulations relevant to the industry you're applying to. Familiarising yourself with specific laws and frameworks used in your field will give you an edge during technical questions. Show that you’re not just aware of them but can also apply them—think real-life scenarios!

Show Your Analytical Skills

Compliance roles really focus on analytical skills, so be prepared for case studies or situational questions during the interview. We've got to demonstrate how we approach risk assessments or compliance audits, possibly drawing on examples from past experiences or university projects. Bring some thoughtful case scenarios to discuss!

Know Your Tools

Get comfortable with commonly used compliance software and tools. Familiarity with platforms like RSA or MetricStream can really impress during your interview, as it shows you're ready to hit the ground running. If you’ve had any experience with them, make sure to highlight that!

Align with Company Culture

Since it's a full-time position, show your long-term commitment and interest in the company’s mission and values. Dive into how your ethics and professional philosophy align with ebury anz’s stance on compliance. A shared vision can really resonate with interviewers looking for fit as much as skill!