Sanctions Business Service Owner - Director

SMBC Bank International plc; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial institution in Greater London is seeking a professional to enhance its sanctions and compliance capabilities. You will collaborate across teams to improve regulatory adherence in a rapidly evolving financial landscape. Ideal candidates will have strong knowledge of global sanctions laws, analytical skills, and experience in financial crime domains. The position offers competitive benefits and supports a diverse workplace culture, fostering career growth and a healthy work-life balance.

Benefits

Hybrid and flexible working

Competitive paid leave days

Private medical insurance

Access to learning and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of Global Sanction laws and regulations.
• Experience working in a fast-paced operational team.
• Capability to manage and monitor project progress.

Responsibilities

• Enhance the First Line of Defence capability across AML and Sanctions domains.
• Act as the Subject Matter Expert for compliance with the Regulatory Framework.
• Lead on ad hoc Sanctions projects and initiatives.

Skills

Knowledge of Global Sanction laws

Interpersonal and communication skills

Detail orientation

Analytical skills

Innovative thinking

Education

Degree in finance or business management

Job description

Who we are

United by a sense of purpose towards our customers - to be a trusted partner for the long-term - and our universal banking platform in EMEA, SMBC Group has an international growth agenda and award-winning products, meaning we provide exciting opportunities to work on a diverse range of projects and initiatives. We deliver a full suite of corporate finance products and solutions to our customers as well as investment banking and advisory services, and a range of innovative solutions in global capital markets. Read on to find out how you could enhance your skills and gain valuable experience, by joining us to support our clients transition to a sustainable future.

Role Summary

The purpose of this role is to work firm wide to enhance the 1LoD Sanctions and Sanctions Screening capability, aligning to the Three Lines of Defence model, working closely with Operations, IT and Compliance to uplift the operating model to meet the ever-growing customer and regulatory expectations of Financial Institutions.

With the geopolitical events creating a complex sanctions landscape where we need to comply with economic and trade sanctions, establishing a dedicated 1LoD Sanctions capability is essential to support the growth ambitions of SMBC EMEA over the next 3-5 years. This role with work with the EMEA Head of Financial Crime Management Group to establish a Business Service Ownership team to identify relevant Sanctions risk, as well as execute actions to manage and mitigate.

Experience & Knowledge

• Strong knowledge of Global Sanction laws and regulation and experience working with regulators and authorities and evidence of previous experience across a wide range of financial crime, domains with strong focus on Sanctions.
• The role requires the candidate to be educated to degree level in an appropriate field of study - e.g. finance or business management.
• Experience working in a fast-paced operational team
• Ability to manage and monitor progress of various dependencies to ensure deadlines are met
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Able to work collaboratively as well as independently
• Must be detail orientated, analytical and inquisitive
• Evidence of effective communication skills both written and verbal including presenting complex information simply and succinctly
• Evidence of innovative thinking and problem-solving
• Must be able to communicate with empathy and sensitivity with colleagues across a range of functions and seniorities, bearing in mind cultural and language differences as well as the commercial realities of our business
• Able to work independently and under supervision to ensure key outcomes are achieved

Business Area

EMEA Financial Management Group within Operational Planning Department (OPPD)

Position Description

As we continue to enhance the First Line of Defence capability across the range of AML and Sanctions domains, this role will:

• Act as the First Line of Defence Subject Matter expert and Service Owner working with Front Office, Operations and 2LoD teams to continually improve our compliance with the Sanctions Regulatory Framework
• Work with Front Office and RM to review and assess the Sanctions risk related to Business development
• Support the wider SMBC 1st and 2LoD Financial Crime teams in ensuring customers are compliant with Sanctions, including evaluating their sanctions controls
• Review screening scope changes as escalated by the Rules and List Management function, balancing effective and efficiencies measures
• Oversight the generation of all Management Information relating to the full range of Sanctions processes within 1LoD as part of the Intern Group Service Management Framework.
• Ensure Governance of the Sanctions processes, including record keeping and procedure documentation
• Lead on ad hoc Sanctions projects, notably the Transaction Banking initiative and the build out of data capabilities to support the ambitious growth ambitions.
• Working with Financial Crime Middle Office leadership, drive improvements to the KYC / CDD processes linked to Sanctions screening capabilities and alert handling Provide input into development of innovative solutions to address complex Sanctions risks and issues
• Act as Sanctions Model Owner ensuring a relevant documentation is accurate and up to date and that periodic validation is completed and any remedial actions prioritised and addressed
• Play a Leadership role within OPPD, liaising closely with ITSD, FO and OAD
• Ensure the relevant Sanctions Controls managed within the 1LoD are effective and all remedial actions are followed through to resolution.
• Contribute ideas or improvement that can be made to systems or processes to help achieve deliverables
• Manage the Sanctions Rules & List Management Utility team, ensuring that all policies and common standards are followed so as to ensure the Sanctions and Sanctions Screening Framework is effective and efficient alongside developing the team members skills and capabilities
• Deputise for the EMEA Head of FCM and CLM as required in all Sanctions related activities

Competencies

• Customer Focus
• Driving Change
• Driving Results
• Embraces Diversity
• Enterprise Leadership
• Judgement and Decision Making
• Risk Management
• Strategic and Visionary
• Trust and Integrity

What we offer

For all the expertise and experience you bring to help us make a difference, it's only sustainable if we support you to build your career and be your best self so we offer competitive company benefits, centred around promoting positive well-bring and work-life balance. We also believe in fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment, where all team members perspectives and contributions are valued. Initiatives in place which promote a diverse and inclusive culture and healthy work life balance include hybrid working, Sport & Social Clubs and Diversity and Inclusion networks.

As an employee of SMBC you have access to a host of both useful and exciting benefit offerings. See below some of the benefits on offer to you:

• Hybrid and flexible working
• Competitive paid leave days
• Benefits to support your physical wellbeing, including private medical insurance and life and invalidity insurance
• Various policies to support your mental wellbeing, including a robust behavioural health network with counselling and coaching services
• Access a wide range of learning and development opportunities and career progression opportunities
• Ambitious remuneration package

So, if you like a challenge and want to continuously grow and develop in a role where you will be supported along the way by a dynamic and diverse team, apply today!!

We recognise our role as a bank to support social change and welcome all applications, including those from groups often under-represented in financial services. We value the uniqueness of professional and personal, backgrounds and perspectives as they play a vital role in continuing the sustainable growth of our organisation. We'll ensure reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process are offered due to a disability or long-term condition whenever requested.

About SMBC

A trusted partner for the long term
United by a sense of purpose towards our customers - to be a trusted partner for the long-term - and our universal banking platform in EMEA, we deliver a full suite of corporate finance products and solutions to our customers, including corporate, structured and trade finance, leveraged finance, loan market and treasury products. We can also provide investment banking and advisory services and a range of innovative solutions in global capital markets.
Find out more about what we do and who we are at https://www.smbcgroup.com/emea/careers

Find out more