SCIB US Head of Sanctions - Compliance

SCIB US Head of Sanctions - Compliance

Country: United States of America

USA Job Function Description: Monitors activities to minimize the company's exposure to risk. Activities may include quantitative analysis, risk identification and remediation. Represents or supports the representation of the company to minimize compliance and regulatory risk by resolving issues and ensuring adherence to company and legal standards. Responsible for ensuring that all of the company's activities adhere to the necessary rules and regulations, and that the company complies with legal/regulatory statutes and jurisdictions.
Essential Functions/Responsibility Statements:

Leads the design, implementation, and oversight of the sanctions compliance program across U.S. CIB operations in alignment with Global Sanctions program.

Develops and maintains policies, procedures, and controls to ensure compliance with U.S. sanctions laws, including OFAC regulations and other relevant local and international sanctions.

Provides expert guidance and advice on the interpretation of sanctions regulations, assessing their impact on the company’s operations and business activities.

Works closely with legal, risk, and business teams to identify and mitigate potential sanctions risks associated with transactions, customers, partners, and third-party relationships.

Conducts ongoing risk assessments, ensuring timely and accurate screening of customers, transactions, and counterparties against relevant sanctions lists (e.g., SDN list).

Monitors and reports on changes in U.S. sanctions laws and other regulatory developments, ensuring the sanctions compliance program is updated accordingly.

Leads the development and delivery of sanctions compliance training for internal stakeholders and senior management.

Manages the reporting of potential sanctions violations to appropriate authorities, including OFAC, as required.

Act as the primary point of contact for regulatory authorities on sanctions matters.

Oversee audits and assessments of sanctions compliance, working with internal audit and external regulators.

Provide strategic guidance and leadership to the sanctions compliance team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and risk mitigation.

Provide advisory service in managing technology capability and harnessing the capabilities of emerging technology for sanctions compliance.

Advises management on current issues regarding sanctions environment.

Collaborates across business units within the organization to ensure consistency in sanctions policies and procedures.

Identifies sanctions compliance opportunities and potential solutions.

Performs analyses, identifies root cause(s), and provides recommendations to management.

Provides insight and guides management on issues.

Leads and influence cross functional enterprise projects or compliance teams.

Leads efforts to improve standardization and efficiency of responses to regulators.

Offers recommendations and makes project related decisions within scope of work assignment.

Serves as a resource to team members on escalated issues.

Assists in ad hoc projects (e.g. new process/tool implementation, control remediation, as may be required)
Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education: Bachelor's Degree or equivalent work experience
Work Experience: 12-15 years ; Compliance, Legal, Regulatory, or Financial Services.
Skills and Abilities:

Extensive experience in sanctions compliance, risk management, and regulatory affairs within a financial services organization.

Knowledge of emerging risks in the sanctions space, including technology, geopolitical developments, and regulatory trends.

Bachelor’s degree in Law, Business, Finance, or a related field. Advanced degrees or certifications (e.g., CAMS, CFE, or equivalent) are a plus.

Minimum of 10 years of experience in compliance, with at least 5 years in a leadership role focused on sanctions compliance or financial crime prevention.

Deep knowledge of U.S. sanctions laws, regulations, and enforcement practices (OFAC, SDN list, etc.).

Proven track record of managing a sanctions compliance programs, including risk assessments, training, and policy development.

Strong ability to interpret complex regulations and communicate their implications effectively to senior leadership and cross-functional teams.

Excellent leadership, interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate with senior management, legal, risk, and business units.

Experience working with compliance technologies and screening tools used for sanctions and watchlist screening.

In-depth understanding of the regulatory landscape related to financial services, including BSA/AML, KYC, and other related compliance areas.

Spanish (will be a plus but not required)

Experience with global sanctions regimes (EU, UN, UK) and an understanding of their interplay with U.S. sanctions.

Strong project management skills and the ability to manage cross-functional initiatives.

EEO Statement:  At Santander, we value and respect differences in our workforce.  We actively encourage everyone to apply.   

Santander is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Working Conditions: Frequent Minimal physical effort such as sitting, standing and walking. Occasional moving and lifting equipment and furniture is required to support onsite and offsite meeting setup and teardown. Physically capable of lifting up to fifty pounds, able to bend, kneel, climb ladders.
Employer Rights: Employer Rights: This job description does not list all of the job duties of the job. You may be asked by your supervisors or managers to perform other duties. You may be evaluated in part based upon your performance of the tasks listed in this job description. The employer has the right to revise this job description at any time. This job description is not a contract for employment and either you or the employer may terminate at any time for any reason.

$116,250.00 USD

$215,000.00 USD