Senior Sanctions Advisory Officer

Your Role

Are you equipped to provide expert guidance on US and international sanctions amid a complex financial landscape? Do you strive to safeguard the financial system against sanctions? We are looking for a highly skilled individual to serve as a trusted advisor and subject matter expert. This role involves translating complex sanctions requirements across various regimes into clear, actionable advice.

The successful candidate will play a pivotal leadership role in evaluating and deciding on client and transaction cases, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of sanctions regulations, particularly from the U.S. perspective.

Key Responsibilities

• Assess potential sanctions risk by investigating intricate client structures and implementing measures to mitigate identified risks.
• Produce clear, evidence-based investigation reports that support defensible decision-making.
• Conduct holistic client reviews and document sanctions risk assessments.
• Provide expert advice on regulatory requirements and expectations across multiple jurisdictions, with a focus on evolving compliance frameworks.
• Interpret regulations and transform them into practical guidance for business and control functions.
• Develop and maintain a strong understanding of the organization's business model, products, client base, and control environment.
• Support critical decisions on client relationships, escalation actions, and regulatory reporting based on investigation findings.
• Enhance capability across the organization by delivering targeted training and briefings for employees across various divisions, ensuring consistent adherence to internal sanctions guidelines.

Your Team

You will be part of the Financial Crime Prevention function in Zurich. The team operates as a central hub for sanctions advisory, closely collaborating with Compliance, Operational Risk Control, and key stakeholders to enable client activity while meeting regulatory expectations through a robust control environment.

Diversity strengthens our organization. We are committed to fostering an inclusive culture that offers equal opportunities and supports our employees’ growth, ultimately adding value to our clients.

Your Expertise

• A university degree or equivalent, preferably a master’s in law, economics, finance, banking, international relations, or a related field.
• More than 8 years of sanctions, AML/CFT, and regulatory experience, including over 5 years at a U.S. authority overseeing sanctions.
• Expertise in U.S. economic sanctions programs, OFAC enforcement, and global financial crime risk.
• Proven success in leading regulatory examinations, governance initiatives, and compliance enhancements.
• Extensive experience with legislative interpretation, regulations, executive orders, and regulatory guidance.
• A strong international engagement background with regulators.
• A deep understanding of global sanctions regimes and governance, risk, and control frameworks.
• Experience in assessing and implementing sanctions regulatory changes due to geopolitical and legislative developments.
• Experience engaging with regulators, audit functions, and executive governance forums.
• Exceptional analytical, judgment, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Superior written and verbal communication abilities, including the preparation of high-quality materials for executive and board-level audiences.

Join Us

At UBS, we value our people and their diverse skills, experiences, and backgrounds as key drivers of our success. We are dedicated to excellence, passionate about putting our people first, and offer a supportive environment with opportunities for growth and flexible working arrangements when possible. Our inclusive culture fosters collaboration and brings out the best in our employees at every stage of their careers. We also leverage artificial intelligence to enhance our efficiency. Collaboration is integral to our approach, as together, we achieve more.

We are committed to disability inclusion and provide necessary accommodations throughout the recruitment process.

Our Commitment

UBS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We respect and seek to empower each individual while supporting the diverse cultures, perspectives, skills, and experiences within our workforce.