EMEA Sanctions Advisory Team Lead
London, LND, GB, EC2M 2AT
SMBC: A trusted partner for the long term
Here at SMBC Group, we want to help you find the next step in your career so read on to discover if this opportunity is the one for you. We like to recognise potential in our people, so we welcome your application even when your experience doesn’t perfectly align with the job description. Whilst we’ll always strive to be better, we’re proud of our inclusive culture, and encourage our applicants and colleagues to be their authentic, unique selves.
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
Reporting to the EMEA Head of Sanctions Advisory, the Vice President is responsible for overseeing the workload of the EMEA Sanctions Advisory team, as well as providing feedback, guidance, and mentoring to team members in relation to their advisory responsibilities. This includes approving customer sanctions due diligence assessments, reviewing new business transactions, and handling customer name screening escalations.The role also involves providing expert advice and guidance across the EMEA region on all sanctions compliance matters, conducting ongoing risk assessments, and recommending appropriate risk mitigation measures to ensure the Bank meets its regulatory obligations.
Business Area
Compliance Department - Financial Crime Group - Sanctions Advisory
Position Description
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Provide leadership, direction, and support to ensure team and departmental objectives are consistently achieved.
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Oversee the EMEA Sanctions Advisory team’s workload, ensuring effective prioritisation and resource management.
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Perform four-eye review and approval of customer sanctions due diligence assessments and customer name screening escalations.
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Deliver ongoing feedback, coaching, and mentoring to the Sanctions Advisory team to enhance the quality and consistency of sanctions assessments and advisory activities.
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Review and evaluate due diligence and transactional assessments, providing constructive feedback and guidance to team members.
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Conduct and approve risk assessments for high-risk transactions, offering expert advice and actionable recommendations to stakeholders.
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Analyse sanctions-related clauses within facility documentation and ensure that associated risks are properly identified and mitigated.
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Design and deliver targeted sanctions training to key stakeholders across the EMEA region to promote adherence to Bank policies and regulatory requirements.
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Monitor and assess developments in sanctions legislation across EMEA, ensuring timely internal awareness and response.
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Contribute to the development and enhancement of relevant policies, procedures, and guidance, as required.
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Escalate key issues and risks to senior stakeholders, including the EMEA Head/Deputy Head of Sanctions, Head of Sanctions Advisory, EMEA MLROs, or RCCO, where appropriate.
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Support strategic initiatives and projects led by the EMEA Head of Sanctions.
Experience and Knowledge
- An International Compliance Association or equivalent financial crime qualification would be beneficial.
- Expert understanding of legal sanctions instruments.
- Expert understanding of key sanctions regimes (EU/UK/US)
- Strong understanding of the Bank’s products and services.
- A strong understanding of how to identify and mitigate sanctions risks.
- Strong analytical skills, capable of making logical assessments based upon factual data.
- Strong ability to appropriately prioritise tasks in a high-risk environment and fast paced environment.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, especially when faced with challenge.
- Sound investigative and analytical skills.
Competencies
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.