Handelsbanken
Senior Sanctions Advisor
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Job Introduction
Handelsbanken is a relationship bank built on trust, long-term thinking and local decision-making. We provide bespoke banking and wealth management services to personal and corporate customers.
Our decentralised model means decisions are made close to the customer, in our branches. Our central Functions teams play a vital role in supporting the branch network, providing the expertise, governance and infrastructure that enable branches to serve customers effectively and sustainably.
This approach had underpinned our success for decades. Handelsbanken is independently recognised as one of Europe’s safest commercial banks, holds the strongest credit rating among its peers and is consistently ranked highly for customer satisfaction and relationship banking.
Our culture is values-led, shaped by trust, respect, and long-term thinking. We empower our people to use their expertise, make confident decisions and build long-term careers. We look for people who share our long- term vision, want to grow and want to make a meaningful impact in their local community and with the Bank.
Check our Handelsbanken website for further information.
The Opportunity
The Second Line of Defence Financial Crime Compliance function is based at our Head Office in Manchester. The Senior Sanctions Advisor reports directly to the Deputy MLRO and Sanctions Compliance Manager and provides specialist technical expertise across financial sanctions, trade sanctions and export controls.
The role supports the Sanctions Compliance Manager in maintaining an effective sanctions compliance framework, providing independent oversight, advice and challenge to the First Line of Defence. The Senior Sanctions Advisor leads on complex sanctions investigations and acts as the principal technical adviser on sanctions legislation, regulatory expectations and emerging sanctions risks.
The role requires a detailed understanding of UK financial sanctions administered by the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI), together with trade sanctions and export control requirements administered by the Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation (OTSI), the Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) and other relevant authorities. The role also supports the Bank in assessing the impact of emerging legislation, regulatory guidance, enforcement actions and industry best practice to ensure sanctions controls remain effective and proportionate.
Key Responsibilities
Sanctions Investigations and Advisory
- Lead complex investigations escalated from 1LoD relating to financial sanctions, trade sanctions and export control matters, providing technical expertise and independent challenge where required.
- Assess potential sanctions matches, escalations and suspected breaches, ensuring investigations are appropriately evidenced, documented and concluded in accordance with regulatory requirements.
- Interpret sanctions legislation, licensing requirements, ownership and control provisions, sectoral sanctions, goods restrictions, applicable licences and exemptions to support robust decision making.
- Support the Sanctions Compliance Manager in determining appropriate escalation, including regulatory notifications and engagement with relevant authorities.
- Act as the principal subject matter expert for complex sanctions queries from the business, providing clear, practical and risk-based advice.
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Sanctions Framework and Regulatory Oversight
- Support the ongoing development and enhancement of the Bank's sanctions compliance framework, including policies, standards, procedures and guidance.
- Assess forthcoming legislative and regulatory developments, enforcement actions and industry guidance relating to UK financial sanctions, trade sanctions and export controls, recommending enhancements where appropriate.
- Monitor emerging sanctions risks, geopolitical developments and industry best practice to ensure the Bank's sanctions framework remains effective and aligned with regulatory expectations.
- Provide subject matter expertise to support enhancements to sanctions screening controls, processes and governance arrangements where changes in risk or regulation are identified.
Stakeholder Management and Industry Engagement
- Build effective relationships across the business, providing credible second line oversight, support and challenge on sanctions-related matters.
- Represent the Bank at relevant industry forums, working groups and external engagement sessions, including participation in UK Finance sanctions working groups where appropriate.
- Work collaboratively with stakeholders to support the effective implementation of sanctions requirements.
Governance and Training
- Support the preparation of governance reporting, management information and Board or committee papers relating to sanctions risk and control effectiveness.
- Support internal audit, regulatory reviews and external assurance activity relating to sanctions compliance.
- Assist in the development and delivery of mandatory and specialist sanctions training across the Bank, promoting awareness of emerging sanctions risks and regulatory developments.
- Contribute to sanctions-related projects and regulatory change initiatives.
- Undertake any additional duties as required by the Sanctions Compliance Manager to support the wider Financial Crime Compliance function.
What We’re Looking For
Research (by Harvard University) shows that women are particularly likely to second guess themselves and not apply - so if you are worried you don't meet all the criteria, get in touch anyhow and let us do the worrying…
Essential
- Extensive experience of UK Sanctions Compliance (2LOD preferable) within a regulated financial services environment.
- Strong technical knowledge of UK financial sanctions legislation, including the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018 (SAMLA), OFSI guidance and enforcement approach.
- Detailed understanding of trade sanctions, export controls and associated UK regulatory requirements, including the role of OTSI, HMRC and the Export Control Joint Unit.
- Experience leading complex sanctions investigations, including true match assessments, ownership and control analysis, sectoral sanctions, licensing and regulatory reporting.
- Demonstrable experience interpreting legislation and translating regulatory requirements into practical business advice and control enhancements.
- Strong understanding of sanctions screening controls and governance within a UK banking environment.
- Excellent analytical, investigative and decision-making skills with strong attention to detail.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and challenge constructively across all levels of the organisation.
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Desirable
- ICA Certificate or Diploma in Sanctions, ICA Diploma in Financial Crime Prevention, ACAMS CGSS or equivalent professional qualification.
- Experience supporting sanctions policy development and regulatory change implementation.
- Experience engaging with UK Finance, industry forums or regulatory working groups.
- Knowledge of sanctions screening systems and financial crime technologies.
Conduct Rules
The role holder must comply with the FCA Individual Conduct Rules by:
- Acting with integrity.
- Acting with due skill, care and diligence.
- Being open and cooperative with the FCA, PRA and other regulators.
- Paying due regard to the interests of customers and treating them fairly.
- Observing proper standards of market conduct.
Why Join Handelsbanken
We want everyone at Handelsbanken to feel supported, motivated, and able to do great work. That’s why, alongside brilliant colleagues, meaningful work and training and development opportunities, we provide a variety of benefits designed with your wellbeing in mind.
In addition, there is a flexible benefits package with the key highlights detailed below.
Application Next Steps
Your journey with us begins once you have submitted your application. One of our Handelsbanken Talent Acquisition Partners will be reviewing your details and will later organise a phone conversation if your experience aligns with our requirements, we will extend an invitation for you to participate in an interview.
This advert will be live for a minimum of two weeks. However, please note that after the two weeks, the closing date could change at any time depending on the number of responses received.
The Bank is deeply committed to embedding good equality and diversity practice into all of our activities. This is so that we are an inclusive, welcoming and inspiring place to work that encourages everyone to apply, regardless of socio-economic background, age, disability, pregnancy and/or parental status, race (including colour, nationality, and ethnic or national origin), veteran status, marital and civil partnership status, religion or belief, sex, gender reassignment or sexual orientation.
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