Senior Sanctions Investigator

Alexander Barnes Ltd; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Alexander Barnes Ltd. seeks a Senior Sanctions Investigator to own end-to-end sanctions screening across Europe, the UK and APAC. You will manage vendor performance, escalate complex cases, and ensure regulatory alignment while collaborating with Compliance, Legal and MLRO teams.

The role requires hands-on investigations, strong documentation, and a proactive approach to process improvements, including automation and AI initiatives to reduce noise and improve accuracy.

Qualifications

• 5+ years hands-on experience in sanctions investigations or screening.
• Experience in regulated environments (bank, fintech, payments).
• Knowledge of EU/UK/UN sanctions regimes.
• Experience with outsourced operations and performance accountability.
• Familiarity with screening tools and name-matching logic.
• Interest in AI and automation.

Responsibilities

• Oversee end-to-end sanctions screening across Europe, the UK and APAC; own vendor quality and performance.
• Handle complex sanctions investigations and step in during spikes.
• Assess and challenge vendor decisions; document outcomes clearly.
• Drive process improvements with automation and AI.
• Support audits and regulatory inquiries with Compliance and the MLRO.

Skills

Sanctions investigations

Compliance in regulated environment

Vendor management

Documentation & reporting

AI & automation curiosity

Tools

LexisNexis

World-Check

Fircosoft

Job description

Alexander Barnes has partnered with a leading global fintech to hire a a Senior Sanctions Investigator. This is a hands-on role with real ownership of sanctions screening across Europe, the UK and Asia-Pacific, delivered through an outsourced model.

About the role

You'll oversee end-to-end sanctions screening and act as the primary point of accountability for vendor performance. That means keeping quality high, managing escalations, and stepping in to handle complex or sensitive investigations yourself when needed.

You'll review vendor output critically, challenge decisions that don't stand up, and elevate confirmed matches. You'll also keep improving processes, frameworks and controls as sanctions regulations evolve, working closely with Compliance, Legal and the MLRO function on regulatory obligations, audits and policy alignment, and with Product and Tech teams on automation and AI.

What you'll do

• Oversee end-to-end sanctions screening across Europe, the UK and APAC, and own vendor quality, SLAs and performance
• Personally handle complex or sensitive sanctions investigations, and step in during volume spikes or vendor disruption
• Assess and challenge vendor decisions, apply sound judgement, and document outcomes clearly and defensibly
• Manage escalations, support blocking and reporting actions, and stay current on EU, UN, UK and other regimes
• Drive continuous improvement with the vendor and internal teams, including automation and AI to improve accuracy and reduce noise
• Create and maintain SOPs and training materials, and help onboard and coach colleagues and vendor teams
• Support audits and regulatory enquiries alongside Compliance, Legal and the MLRO

What you'll bring

• 5+ years' hands-on experience in sanctions investigations, sanctions screening or financial crime compliance in a regulated environment (bank, fintech, payments or similar)
• Strong knowledge of global sanctions regimes (EU, UN, UK and others) and their impact on business activity
• Experience working with outsourced or third-party operations, with accountability for quality and performance outcomes
• Sound judgement on complex cases, and clear, accurate documentation under time pressure
• Familiarity with screening tools and name-matching logic (for example LexisNexis, World-Check, Fircosoft)
• A track record of driving process change and improvement
• Curiosity about AI and automation, ideally with hands-on experience of AI-assisted tools
• Excellent written and verbal communication, with confidence engaging senior stakeholders
• Drive, energy and the agency to own outcomes

Nice to have

• Experience handling complex or sensitive sanctions investigations in-house
• Experience supporting audits or regulatory examinations
• Knowledge of PEP and adverse media screening and open-source intelligence practices
• A relevant certification such as CGSS, CAMS or ICA
• Experience creating or maintaining SOPs and training materials

Please note there are opportunities for leading the function for the right candidate with the right level of experience.