Director – Sanctions Compliance

BNY; Manchester; On-site; GBP 135,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Wellbeing programs

Generous paid leaves

Job summary

BNY is seeking a Director to lead the Global Sanctions Compliance Operations team in Manchester. The role requires strategic ownership of sanctions screening, quality assurance, training, and risk controls on a global scale.

Ideal candidates will have extensive sanctions experience in large banks, a track record of transforming operations with AI/automation, and strong leadership and stakeholder skills to influence cross‑functional partners across Compliance, Product, and Technology.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent combination of education and experience is required; advanced/graduate degree preferred.
• Significant experience in sanctions roles in the first line or second line of defense of a large multi‑national bank.
• Proven track record running complex operations with significant daily volumes, tight SLAs, and high regulatory scrutiny in targeted markets.
• Experience in implementing new regulations, regulatory control frameworks and handling regulatory reviews.
• Deep understanding of operational risk, control frameworks, business continuity, and regulatory requirements across global jurisdictions
• Demonstrated success implementing AI/ML and automation in production operations, with measurable KPI improvements.
• Strong data literacy: ability to define data strategies, interpret analytics and challenge insights.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and executive communication skills; adept at influencing Compliance, Product, Technology, Risk.

Responsibilities

• Oversee sanctions compliance functions of 20–30 FTEs based in Manchester.
• Lead and own sanctions operations training and quality assurance for BNY globally.
• Accountability for sanctions delivery against KPIs, KRIs, objectives, and quality standards.
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency, strengthen controls, and manage risk.
• Evaluate opportunities to leverage automation and AI within processes to improve effectiveness.
• Monitor operational performance, resource allocation, and workflow distribution to scale the function.
• Strengthen first‑line risk and control discipline: incident prevention, rapid issue resolution, root‑cause elimination, change control.
• Implement new regulations globally as mandated by regulators.
• Build relationships with operations and compliance leads; collaborate with Technology and Product teams to embed capabilities.
• Coach and develop a high‑performing sanctions operations team and manage succession.

Skills

Leadership

Sanctions screening

Operations management

AI/ML

Automation

Stakeholder management

Executive communication

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Job Description

Director – Sanctions Compliance, Manchester

We’re seeking a future team member for the role of Director to lead our Global Sanctions Compliance Operations team in Manchester, United Kingdom.

About The Role

The Director, Sanctions Operations, will lead end-to-end operational strategy and execution of sanctions screening processes, including alert dispositioning, quality assurance, training and all associated controls functions that are performed in Manchester. Additionally, the incumbent will be part of the Global Sanctions Operations Leadership team and will drive strategy across Quality Assurance and Training functions for sanctions screening globally.

This leader will drive operational excellence, client experience, and risk control while accelerating data‑driven decisioning, AI‑enabled operations, and intelligent automation at scale. The ideal candidate is a proven transformation leader with deep expertise and experience in sanctions screening, sanctions regulations, strong people leadership, and a strategic mindset, passionate about reengineering, simplification, and continuous improvement.

In this role, you’ll make an impact in the following ways:

• Leadership and strategy:
• Oversee the sanctions compliance functions of 20-30 FTEs based in Manchester.
• Lead and own the sanctions operations training and quality assurance function for BNY globally
• Take accountability for the sanctions functional delivery against client key performance indicators (KPIs), key risk indicators (KRIs), objectives, and quality standards across static data and transaction Screening.
• Identify and implement process improvement opportunities to enhance efficiency, strengthen controls, and manage risk.
• Evaluate opportunities to leverage automation and AI within processes to improve effectiveness and support sustainable risk management.
• Operations management:
• Monitor operational performance, resource allocation, and workflow distribution to ensure the function can scale effectively.
• Strengthen first‑line risk and control discipline: incident prevention, rapid issue resolution, root‑cause elimination, change control, and regulatory adherence.
• Implement new regulations globally that may be mandated by regulators.
• Stakeholder Engagement:
• Build constructive relationships with operations and compliance Leads.
• Partner with Technology and Product teams to co‑create target‑state capabilities, ensuring effective operational design is embedded early in change.
• People Management:
• Coach and develop a high‑performing sanctions operations team, delivering initiatives to grow their skills and managing succession plans for senior leads.

To be successful in this role, we’re seeking the following:

• Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent combination of education and experience is required; advanced/graduate degree preferred.
• Significant experience in sanctions roles in the first line or second line of defense of a large multi‑national bank.
• Proven track record running complex operations with significant daily volumes, tight SLAs, and high regulatory scrutiny in targeted markets.
• Experience in implementing new regulations, regulatory control frameworks and handling regulatory reviews.
• Deep understanding of operational risk, control frameworks, business continuity, and regulatory requirements across global jurisdictions
• Demonstrated success implementing AI/ML and automation in production operations, with measurable KPI improvements.
• Strong data literacy: ability to define data strategies, interpret analytics and challenge insights.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and executive communication skills; adept at influencing Compliance, Product, Technology, Risk.

About Us

At BNY, our culture allows us to run our company better and enables employees’ growth and success. As a leading global financial services company at the heart of the global financial system, we influence nearly 20% of the world’s investible assets. Every day, our teams harness cutting‑edge AI and breakthrough technologies to collaborate with clients, driving transformative solutions that redefine industries and uplift communities worldwide.

Recognized as a top destination for innovators, BNY is where bold ideas meet advanced technology and exceptional talent. Together, we power the future of finance – and this is what is all about. Join us and be part of something extraordinary.

About The Team

At BNY, our culture speaks for itself, check out the latest BNY news at: BNY Newsroom & BNY LinkedIn

Here’s a Few Of Our Recent Awards

• America’s Most Innovative Companies, Fortune, 2025
• World’s Most Admired Companies, Fortune 2025
• “Most Just Companies”, Just Capital and CNBC, 2025

Our Benefits And Rewards

BNY offers highly competitive compensation, benefits, and wellbeing programs rooted in a strong culture of excellence and our pay‑for‑performance philosophy. We provide access to flexible global resources and tools for your life’s journey. Focus on your health, foster your personal resilience, and reach your financial goals as a valued member of our team, along with generous paid leaves, including paid volunteer time, that can support you and your family through moments that matter.

BNY is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer - Underrepresented racial and ethnic groups/Females/Individuals with Disabilities/Protected Veterans.