Sanctions Advisory Lead (Maternity Cover)

Job Type: Temporary (PAYE)

Contract Duration: 10 months

Department: Financial Crime Compliance

Location: London

Company Overview

Nomura is a global financial services group with an integrated network spanning approximately 30 countries and regions. By connecting markets East & West, Nomura services the needs of individuals, institutions, corporates and governments through its three business divisions: Wealth Management, Investment Management, and Wholesale (Global Markets and Investment Banking). Founded in 1925, the firm is built on a tradition of disciplined entrepreneurship, serving clients with creative solutions and considered thought leadership.

Role Overview

• Be the initial point of contact for sanctions compliance, managing sanctions escalations from operations teams (including Screening L1 analysts) and queries from all parts of the firm.
• Provide timely responses and decisions on these escalations and queries, unless senior management input is required.
• When senior management input is required, summarise the relevant concerns and analysis performed to date.
• Provide sanctions advice and expertise covering external sanctions developments, firm’s policies and sanctions risk appetite to stakeholders.
• Review potential and existing clients and transactions for sanctions and related reputational risk, and agree further actions with front office or Operations teams or refer the matter to senior management for decision.
• Use subject‑matter expertise to give senior management informed suggestions for the design of the firm’s sanctions control framework.
• Monitor the operation of the firm’s sanctions screening and filtering controls.
• Conduct regular sample‑based QA review of Level 1 sanctions analysts in Operations, including periodically reviewing and updating the sampling and review methodology to ensure accurate performance measurement.
• Produce timely and accurate management information for Financial Crime senior management, based on metrics from operations and other relevant information.
• Manage the development and delivery of training on sanctions to all relevant stakeholders and the wider business.
• Provide subject‑matter expertise on sanctions matters to support change projects and business initiatives as required.
• Prepare and submit regular filings for relevant regulatory bodies, e.g. OFSI.

Required Experience and Competencies

• Experience managing sanctions risk in a Financial Services environment, including sanctions implications of complex wholesale financial products and transactions, and sanctions risk arising from complex client structures.
• Experience overseeing key sanctions controls including payment filtering, client screening and watchlist management.
• Proven track record of managing relationships across all three lines of defence.
• Strong international sanctions expertise.
• Experience in a similar function in financial services, with understanding of what ‘good’ looks like.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Business/Market knowledge and understanding of the Global Markets and Investment Banking sector.
• Clear understanding of the current global regulatory environment for sanctions and insight into possible future developments.

Communication & Stakeholder management

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, able to articulate complex problems and solutions clearly to non‑experts and adapt style for different audiences.
• Proven track record in building effective relationships with stakeholders at all levels of the firm, across all three lines of defence.

Mindset and attitude

• Pragmatic, outcome‑focused, able to hold the line in conflict situations.
• Self‑sufficient and able to make decisions without constant senior management oversight.
• Demonstrated judgment required to escalate effectively.
• Collaborative, motivated by close partnership with colleagues across the firm, resilient and adaptable.

Nomura Competencies

• Trusted Partner: Understand clients’ needs and issues, provide solutions utilizing Nomura Group resources, earn clients’ trust.
• Entrepreneurial Leadership: Take on new challenges for improvement, cultivate a corporate culture of challenge by driving change in business operations.
• Teamwork: Work collaboratively with colleagues across functions to achieve common objectives.
• Collaboration: Ensure views are not biased, accept different opinions and perspectives, collaborate with other members to create common values.
• Influence: Provide appropriate guidance to others and act in a manner that places emphasis on the performance and growth of the organization.
• Integrity: Improve understanding and awareness of corporate philosophy, professional ethics, compliance risk management, and code of conduct, and make decisions and take actions from a management position.

Right to Work

Eligibility to work in the UK is required. Nomura can consider applications from overseas workers (Tier 2 Skilled Worker visa). Applicants must provide evidence that this is a genuine vacancy for a qualified role.

Diversity & Inclusion

Nomura is an equal‑opportunity employer. We value diversity and are committed to ensuring we best reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome all applications and do not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, gender identity and gender expression, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnership, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. If you require assistance or reasonable adjustments due to a disability or long‑term health condition, please contact us.

EEO Statement

Nomura is an Equal Opportunity Employer.