Global Sanctions Strategy Director

Academic Key; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Airwallex is seeking a Director of Sanctions to lead a global sanctions programme from its London base. You will direct second-line governance, drive AI-assisted screening innovations, and partner with Product and Engineering to automate regulatory requirements across cross-border payments.

You will manage regulatory examinations, monitor evolving sanctions regimes, and report risk metrics to executives and the board. Strong leadership and communication are essential.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of sanctions compliance and financial crime risk management experience.
• Executive leadership with cross-regional teams in a second-line or global policy capacity.
• Deep expertise in global sanctions regimes and cross-border payments.
• Expert knowledge of OFAC, EU, UK OFSI, UN, MAS, HKMA, AUSTRAC and related restrictions.
• Experience providing independent oversight of screening operations and regulatory interactions.
• Track record evaluating and deploying modern sanctions tech, including AI/NLP tools and graph DBs.
• Experience partnering with Product and Engineering to automate regulatory requirements.
• Hands-on experience leading regulatory examinations and disclosures to regulators.
• Excellent communication across cultures and ability to defend risk positions.

Responsibilities

• Own and elevate Airwallex’s sanctions programme globally across jurisdictions.
• Provide second-line governance and escalation for sanctions decisions and risk.
• Lead, mentor and scale sanctions teams across regions.
• Collaborate with Data, Product, and Engineering to design defensible screening systems.
• Modernise screening with AI-assisted workflows, graph analysis, and real-time detection.
• Oversee regulatory examinations and disclosures with banking partners and regulators.
• Monitor geopolitical and sanctions developments and translate into platform needs.
• Report programme health and risk trends to executives and risk committees.

Skills

Sanctions compliance

Financial crime risk

Executive leadership

Cross-border payments

Multicurrency structures

Sanctions regimes knowledge

AI/NLP screening tools

Regulatory examinations

Stakeholder communication

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

CGSS/CAMS or equivalent

Advanced degree (JD/ Master's)

Tools

AI/NLP screening tools

Graph databases

Job description

Airwallex is seeking a Director of Sanctions to lead a global sanctions programme from its London base. You will direct second-line governance, drive AI-assisted screening innovations, and partner with Product and Engineering to automate regulatory requirements across cross-border payments.

You will manage regulatory examinations, monitor evolving sanctions regimes, and report risk metrics to executives and the board. Strong leadership and communication are essential.