VP, APAC Regional Sanctions Compliance Officer

Societe Generale; Hong Kong; On-site; HKD 550,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Societe Generale is seeking an APAC regional sanctions compliance officer to provide timely advisory support to business lines and support functions on sanctions and embargoes. You will contribute to the sanctions framework, maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of EU/US/HK regimes, review alerts and transactions, and train teams across APAC to ensure compliant risk management.

The role requires strong analytical skills, collaborative mindset, and the ability to influence stakeholders in a fast‑moving

Qualifications

• Substantial experience in sanctions compliance or related risk/control functions in financial institutions.
• Solid knowledge of EU/US/UN/HK sanctions regimes; ACAMS certification preferred but not required.
• Good understanding of financial crime risks and controls related to sanctions.
• Experience with screening tools and sanctions-related regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide sanctions compliance opinions for proposed transactions and onboarding.
• Advise on inclusion of S&E compliance clauses in legal docs.
• Clear sanctions-related alerts and review escalated cases with Group sanctions team.
• Support development and training of sanctions policies, procedures and MI.

Skills

Sanctions compliance

Financial crime compliance

KYC/CDD/EDD

Regulatory knowledge

Risk assessment

Screening tools experience

English communication

Education

ACAMS Certified Global Sanctions Specialist

Tools

World-Check

Dow Jones Risk & Compliance

Lloyds Sea Searcher

Job description

Responsibilities

• Perform analysis, liaise with Business Lines, KYC Team and other relevant departments to provide, in a timely manner, sanctions compliance opinions in relation to proposed transactions (including trade finance transactions, syndicated loans, debt issuances etc.) and onboarding, regular and trigger event reviews of customers.
• Provide advice regarding inclusion of S&E related compliance clauses in legal documentation.
• Timely clearance of sanctions‑related alerts, including transactional and referential sanctions screening alerts.
• Review customer files and transactions escalated by local compliance teams, and where applicable further escalates to Group Sanctions Compliance.
• Work with Business Lines, KYC Team and support functions to implement the relevant policies and procedures related to sanctions compliance framework, including performing regular reviews of S&E policies and procedures.
• Maintain solid knowledge of EU/US/UN/HK sanctions regulations and keep up to date on regulatory trends, sanctions and trade‑based money laundering typologies, market practices and standards.
• Contribute to the training of Business Lines on sanctions‑related matters and provide advisory support to identify, manage and mitigate sanctions and embargoes related risks.
• Contribute to production and reporting of S&E related Management Information (KRI/KPI).
• Interact and collaborate with local teams (AML/KYC, Regulatory, Transformation, COO) and group teams (Norms and Procedures, Oversight, Incidents) and FCU teams from other regions.
• Contribute to development of the sanctions compliance framework within the Group and enhance working methodologies (sharing best practices, promoting consistency).
• Undertake ad hoc projects assigned by the APAC Regional Head of Sanctions.
• Support the APAC Regional Head of Sanctions in oversight and management of all S&E related matters.

Required Qualifications

• Substantial years of experience in sanctions compliance, financial crime compliance, or related risk/control functions within financial institutions.
• Solid knowledge of EU/US/UN/HK sanctions regimes. Relevant professional certifications, including the ACAMS Certified Global Sanctions Specialist, are preferred but not required.
• Good understanding of financial crime risks, risk assessments and controls in relation to sanctions, including evolving geopolitical developments and their impact on financial services.
• Good understanding of trade finance products and business line activities.
• Good knowledge of KYC, CDD/EDD requirements and their intersection with sanctions risks.
• Working knowledge of global regulatory and financial services legislation as it pertains to sanctions and embargoes rules relevant to business lines.
• Experience with screening tools and systems (e.g., Microsoft, World‑Check, Dow Jones Risk & Compliance, Lloyds Sea Searcher).
• Proficiency in English is essential; Mandarin is an advantage, but not a prerequisite.
• HKMA Enhanced Competency Framework (ECF) certification is preferred (Only for Hong Kong).

Behavioral Competencies

• Strong analytical skills and critical thinking capabilities.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Clear, concise and confident verbal and written communication skills, with ability to influence stakeholders.
• Sound decision‑making and problem‑solving abilities, supported by an appropriate compliance reflex.
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail.
• Demonstrated sense of responsibility, professionalism and commitment to excellence.
• Open‑minded and receptive to feedback, with a collaborative approach to developing solutions.
• Proactive, with strong motivation to learn and acquire knowledge and skills required to perform effectively.

Department Description

The APAC Regional Sanctions Compliance Officer has responsibility for the APAC region to assist the APAC Regional Head of Sanctions and Embargoes Compliance to maintain the SG Group Financial Crime Unit Policy standards on sanctions and embargoes, ensuring the SG Group remains compliant with applicable sanctions laws, regulations and internal policies. The role is a subject‑matter expert within the APAC FCU’s Regional Sanctions Team and will provide timely advisory support to business lines and support functions on a day‑to‑day basis. The candidate will also contribute to effective implementation and enhancement of SG Group’s sanctions compliance framework, policies and procedures, support senior management through regular reporting, and participate in sanctions training and awareness initiatives.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I)

Our mission: Recruit, develop, advance, and retain a diverse workforce that is united in our efforts to enhance our competitive position and deliver innovative solutions to our clients.

Our vision:

• Engaged workforce that is demographically diverse in a way that reflects the communities in which we operate.
• Inclusive culture and workplace that recognises employees' unique needs and utilises their diverse talents.
• Engage our community and marketplace, and position the organisation to meet the needs of all its clients.

Check out our DE&I initiatives: https://www.societegenerale.asia/en/careers/diversity-equity-inclusion-dei/

Societe Generale is committed to offering an inclusive recruitment experience to all candidates. If you require any reasonable accommodations or assistance during the recruitment process, please let our HR staff know.