Director, Compliance

Sun Life Hong Kong Limited; Hong Kong; On-site; HKD 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5‑day work week

Competitive salary

MPF

Group life & medical insurance

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Sun Life in Hong Kong seeks a seasoned senior leader to own and drive the Financial Crime Compliance program, overseeing AML/CTF, sanctions, and related risk controls.

You will provide independent challenge to management, develop frameworks and ensure regulatory alignment across the enterprise. Strong leadership, cross‑functional collaboration and regulatory liaison are essential to success.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership in financial crime compliance.
• Strong governance and stakeholder management.
• Extensive AML/CTF and sanctions knowledge in regulated financial services.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Hong Kong Financial Crime Compliance program and ensure alignment with AML/ATF and sanctions policies.
• Provide independent challenge to first line management on Financial Crimes Risk ownership and management.
• Develop, implement and maintain financial crime frameworks, policies, standards, procedures, guidance and controls.

Skills

Leadership

Financial crime

Regulatory oversight

Policy development

Risk assessment

Hong Kong AML/CTF

Education

University degree in Law/Compliance/Finance

Job description

You are as unique as your background, experience and point of view. Here, you'll be encouraged, empowered and challenged to be your best self. You'll work with dynamic colleagues - experts in their fields - who are eager to share their knowledge with you. Your leaders will inspire and help you reach your potential and soar to new heights. Every day, you'll have new and exciting opportunities to make life brighter for our Clients - who are at the heart of everything we do. At Sun Life, we're driven by our Purpose: helping our Clients achieve lifetime financial security and live healthier lives. Our values shape how we work: caring, authentic, bold, inspiring, and impactful. When you join Sun Life, you'll work with passionate colleagues and empowering leaders who support your growth and celebrate your contributions, so you can make a meaningful difference in our Clients' lives. Discover how you can make a difference in the lives of individuals, families and communities around the world.

Job Description

• Lead and maintain the Hong Kong Business Unit Financial Crime Compliance Program, ensuring alignment with enterprise AML/ATF and Sanctions Policies and relevant regulatory requirements.
• Provide independent oversight and challenge over first line management regarding the ownership and management of Financial Crimes Risk.
• Develop, implement and maintain financial crime compliance frameworks, policies, standards, procedures, guidance and controls.
• Oversee the effective operation of internal controls and reporting mechanisms relating to Financial Crimes Risk.
• Escalate financial crime issues, regulatory breaches and emerging risks to the Chief Compliance Officer, Hong Kong, relevant enterprise oversight bodies and relevant authorities.
• Oversee the implementation and maintenance of a risk-based AML/CTF program in accordance with applicable laws, regulations and enterprise requirements.
• Furnish effective challenge on the implementation of customer due diligence, enhanced due diligence, customer risk assessment, ongoing monitoring and suspicious activity reporting frameworks.
• Direct periodic AML/ATF risk assessments and ensure timely remediation of identified gaps.
• Provide subject matter expertise and challenge regarding AML controls, product risk, customer risk, geographic risk and distribution channel risk.
• Monitor compliance with the enterprise AML/ATF policies and operating guidelines.
• Lead the sanctions compliance program and provide oversight of sanctions screening systems, controls and governance.
• Ensure compliance with applicable sanctions laws, regulatory requirements and enterprise sanctions standards.
• Oversee sanctions screening effectiveness, watchlist management, model governance, alert disposition and escalation processes.
• Advise management on geopolitical developments and emerging sanctions risks that may impact the business.
• Ensure sanctions incidents are appropriately investigated, reported and remediated.
• Conduct periodic assessment of financial crime risks and facilitate integration into the Compliance Risk Management Framework.
• Monitor financial crime risk indicators, emerging threats and regulatory developments.
• Provide independent review and challenge on financial crime controls, issues management, remediation activities and risk acceptance decisions.
• Support acquisitions, strategic initiatives, new products and business changes through financial crime risk assessments and advisory services.
• Develop and execute a risk-based Financial Crime Monitoring and Testing Plan.
• Assess design and operating effectiveness of AML/CTF, sanctions and ABAC controls.
• Track remediation activities arising from compliance reviews, audits, regulatory examinations and risk assessments.
• Provide independent reporting on the effectiveness of the financial crime control environment.
• Partner with the enterprise Financial Crime data analytics team to apply analytics in support of monitoring, testing and ad hoc reporting requirements.
• Serve as a key liaison with the Insurance Authority, Joint Financial Intelligence Unit and other regulatory agencies on financial crime matters.
• Support regulatory examinations, thematic reviews, regulatory submissions and requests for information.
• Ensure timely escalation and reporting of material financial crime events and compliance concerns.
• Provide expert advice to business management and control functions on AML/CTF, sanctions and financial crime compliance requirements.
• Develop and oversee financial crime training and awareness programs for employees, management and distributors.
• Promote a strong culture of compliance, integrity and accountability across the organization.
• Lead and develop the Financial Crime Compliance team.
• Establish clear objectives, performance expectations and succession plans.
• Foster a high-performing, collaborative and risk-aware culture that supports Sun Life's Values and Client Impact focus.

Job Requirements

• University degree in Law, Compliance, Risk Management, Accounting, Finance or a related discipline.
• Typically 12 or more years of progressively responsible experience in anti-money laundering, sanctions or broader financial crime compliance within insurance, banking or another regulated financial-services environment, including substantial leadership experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading a financial crime framework across multiple products, legal entities or distribution channels; advising senior management; managing regulatory interactions; and directing remediation of material control issues.
• Strong working knowledge of Hong Kong financial crime requirements and the ability to interpret cross-border and enterprise standards.
• Relevant professional certification is strongly preferred, such as Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist, International Compliance Association qualification, Certified Fraud Examiner, Certified Public Accountant or legal qualification.

What Sun Life Offers

We offer 5-day work, attractive salary, MPF, group life and group medical insurance; and excellent career development opportunities to the right candidate.

We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all qualified candidates.

Company Culture

At Sun Life, we cultivate a High-Performance, Caring Culture that empowers our people to achieve outstanding results, embrace continuous growth, and create meaningful impact. We succeed together by fostering an inclusive environment where wellbeing, collaboration, and accountability are equally valued.

Marketing

Shine together At Sun Life, you can be your most brilliant self.

Our supportive, flexible, and inclusive work environment is one where you - and your career - can thrive.

Whatever your aspirations, collaborative leaders and colleagues are ready to help you learn, grow, and succeed.

Make life brighter We're a global company with a passion for people.

Our purpose is to help Clients achieve lifetime financial security and live healthier lives.

As a team of 30,000 across 26 countries, our impact is far-reaching, and locally relevant.

There's power in numbers.

As part of Sun Life's growing team, you have an impact on people in your community and around the world.

Shape the future With an optimistic eye on a brighter future, we drive to innovate.

Be part of leading change, push boundaries and try new ways of working.

Use data to drive bold actions.

Be agile and pivot as we test and learn.

At Sun Life, we're driving transformation, sustainability and innovation for our Clients, employees, partners, and communities.

Join us.

Together, we can make the future brighter.

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