Sanctions Screening Lead - VP

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OVERVIEW OF THE DEPARTMENT/SECTION

The Financial Crimes Office for EMEA (FCOE) in London is part of the Global Financial Crimes Division (GFCD) headquartered in New York. FCOE works to ensure the organisation conducts its business in such a way that we protect our reputation, our business, and our clients within the regulatory and legal framework. It is responsible for the establishment and maintenance of effective systems and controls to protect clients’ assets and to mitigate the risk that MUFG might be used to further financial crime.

The Regional EMEA Sanctions Team is structured across three core pillars: (i) EMEA Sanctions Investigations, (ii) EMEA Sanctions Advisory, and (iii) EMEA Sanctions Programs. This role sits within the EMEA Sanctions Investigations pillar. The Sanctions investigation pillar is responsible for both a) Trade Finance Investigations and b) overseeing the sanctions screening and investigations processes which are operated by established teams. This role is responsible for the sanctions screening and investigations process the majority of which is outsourced. The role holder is responsible for overseeing the processes and providing subject matter expertise to ensure ongoing compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, internal policies, and the firm’s risk appetite.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Monitor and investigate customer activity and transactions to identify potential exposure to sanctioned parties.
• Oversee Level 1 and Level 2 Sanctions Alert Review activities performed by outsourced operations teams.
• Ensure effective risk management, appropriate decision‑making, and the overall effectiveness of sanctions screening and alert review processes.
• Provide hands‑on subject matter expertise through oversight of the Level 1 and Level 2 Sanctions Alert Review Teams.
• Safeguard the bank against sanctions breaches by ensuring the alert adjudication processes operate as intended.
• Manage operational effectiveness, including operational and workflow oversight, KPI and KRI adherence, volume and SLA management, staff supervision, training, and maintenance of robust alert review documentation.
• Contribute to system data integrity, watchlist and customer data updates, and the ongoing optimisation of sanctions screening and investigation processes.
• Collaborate with global and regional sanctions colleagues, relevant business lines and compliance stakeholders to ensure consistent application of sanctions requirements.

The role requires a high degree of autonomy and a strong understanding of sanctions regulations and associated risks. It also demands solid knowledge of sanctions, transactions, payments, and the broader banking and regulatory environment, including staying informed on developments and their potential impact on MUFG.