Sanctions compliance - Assistant Manager

A regional corporate bank is seeking a Sanctions professional to join their compliance team.

What you'll do:

As an Assistant Manager, you will play an integral role in supporting the branch’s efforts to meet all relevant sanction requirements. Your day-to-day responsibilities will involve collaborating with colleagues across departments to enhance existing policies, provide expert advisory services on transactions, review customer onboarding processes for potential exposures, and maintain robust internal controls through regular programme reviews. You will also have the opportunity to design impactful AML training sessions tailored to sanctions awareness while contributing your insights on ad-hoc projects that address emerging risks. Success in this role requires you to be highly responsive, detail-oriented, and committed to fostering a compliant culture through teamwork and knowledge sharing.

• Support the sanctions team by ensuring all business activities comply with current sanctions requirements as set out by local and international regulators
• Assist in drafting, reviewing, and enhancing policies that strengthen the branch’s sanction management framework, ensuring alignment with evolving regulatory standards
• Provide timely sanction clearance and advisory services on real-time transactions to mitigate risk and maintain operational integrity
• Offer expert guidance on sanction exposure during customer onboarding processes as well as during periodic reviews, ensuring all client relationships adhere to compliance expectations
• Conduct regular assessments of the sanction screening programme, maintaining internal sanction lists to ensure accuracy and up-to-date information at all times
• Design and deliver regular anti-money laundering (AML) training sessions focused on sanctions for staff members across the branch
• Handle ad-hoc projects related to AML and sanctions, demonstrating flexibility in responding to emerging risks or regulatory changes
• Collaborate closely with other teams within the Legal and Compliance Department to share knowledge, promote best practices, and foster a culture of compliance
• Prepare clear documentation and reports relating to sanction management activities for internal stakeholders as required
• Respond promptly to queries from both internal teams and external auditors regarding sanction management procedures

What you bring:

• You possess a university degree coupled with at least three years of relevant experience in banking, specifically focusing on sanctions compliance within Hong Kong’s financial sector
• Candidates with AML qualifications are preferred, such as ACAMS/AAMLP, CGSS
• Conversant with the AML and sanction management requirements
• Able to multitask and work under strictly tight deadlines and pressure
• Strong analytical, interpersonal and communication skills
• Fluent in written and spoken English and Chinese (including Cantonese and Mandarin)