VP, APAC Regional Sanctions Compliance Officer

Responsibilities

• Perform analysis, liaise with Business Lines, KYC Team and other relevant departments to provide, in a timely manner, sanctions compliance opinions with respect to proposed transactions (including trade finance transactions, syndicated loans, debt issuances etc.).
• Conduct onboardings, regular and trigger event reviews of customers, and provide advice on the inclusion of sanctions and embargoes related compliance clauses in legal documentation.
• Timely clearance of sanctions related alerts, including but not limited to transactional and referential sanctions screening alerts.
• Review customer files and transactions escalated by local compliance teams in the region, and where applicable further escalating such cases to group sanctions compliance.
• Work with Business Lines, KYC Team and support functions to implement the relevant policies and procedures related to sanctions compliance framework, including performing regular reviews of sanctions and embargoes related policies and procedures.
• Maintain a solid knowledge of EU/US/UN/HK sanctions regulations; ensure up-to-date knowledge on regulatory trends, sanctions and trade-based money laundering typologies, market practices and standards.
• Contribute to the training of the Business Lines on sanctions related matters and providing advisory support to them to identify, manage, and mitigate sanctions and embargoes related risks.
• Contribute to the production and reporting of sanctions and embargoes related management information (KRI/KPI).
• Interact and collaborate with other teams at a local level (including AML/KYC, Regulatory, Transformation, COO teams) and at the group level (norms and procedures, oversight, incidents teams) as well as FCU teams from other regions.
• Contribute to the development of the sanctions compliance framework within the group and to enhance working methodologies (sharing best practices, promoting consistency in analytical approaches, etc.).
• Undertake ad hoc projects as assigned by the APAC Regional Head of Sanctions.
• Support the APAC Regional Head of Sanctions in the oversight and management of all sanctions and embargoes related matters.

Profile required

• Substantial years of relevant experience in sanctions compliance, financial crime compliance, or related risk/control functions within financial institutions.
• Solid knowledge of EU/US/UN/HK sanctions regimes.
• Relevant professional certifications, including the ACAMS Certified Global Sanctions Specialist (CGSS), are preferred but not a prerequisite.
• Good understanding of financial crime risks, risk assessments and controls in relation to sanctions related matters, including evolving geopolitical developments and their impact on financial services.
• Good understanding of trade finance products and the business line activities.
• Good knowledge of KYC, CDD/EDD requirements and their intersection with sanctions risks.
• Working knowledge of global regulatory and financial services legislation as it pertains to sanctions & embargoes rules relevant to the business lines.
• Experience with screening tools and systems (e.g. Microsoft, World-Check, Dow Jones Risk & Compliance, Lloyds Sea Searcher).
• Proficiency in English is essential; Mandarin is an advantage, but not a prerequisite.

HKMA Enhanced Competency Framework (ECF) certification is preferred (Only for Hong Kong).

Behavioral competencies

• Strong analytical skills and critical thinking capabilities.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Clear, concise and confident verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders.
• Sound decision-making and problem-solving abilities, supported by an appropriate compliance reflex.
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail.
• Demonstrated sense of responsibility, professionalism and commitment to excellence.
• Open-minded and receptive to feedback, with a collaborative approach to developing solutions.
• Proactive, with a strong motivation to learn and acquire knowledge and skills required to perform effectively.

Why join us

Business insight

Our Culture: At Societe Generale, we live by our 4 core values of commitment, responsibility, team spirit and innovation. We are engaged and demonstrate consideration for others. We act ethically and with courage. We focus our talent and energy on collective success. We experiment and propose new ideas. This way, we maximize our ability to serve client needs and anticipate market changes. Societe Generale is committed to strengthening bonds with colleagues, communities, and the world in which we live, because relationships are at the heart of how we operate. Please visit our APAC career website: for more information.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I)

Our mission: Recruit, develop, advance, and retain a diverse workforce that is united in our efforts to enhance our competitive position and deliver innovative solutions to our clients.

Our vision: Engaged workforce that is demographically diverse in a way that reflects the communities in which we operate; Inclusive culture and workplace that recognizes employees' unique needs and utilizes their diverse talents; Engage our community and marketplace, and position the organization to meet the needs of all its clients.

Check out our DE&I initiatives:

Societe Generale is committed to offering an inclusive recruitment experience to all candidates. If you require any reasonable accommodations or assistance during the recruitment process, please do not hesitate to let our HR staff know.

Department Description

The APAC Regional Sanctions Compliance Officer has responsibility for the APAC region to assist the APAC Regional Head of Sanctions and Embargoes Compliance (CPLE/ASI/FCU) to maintain the SG Group Financial Crime Unit (“FCU”) Policy standards on sanctions and embargoes (“S&E”), ensuring that SG Group remains compliance with applicable sanctions laws, regulations, and internal policies.

The APAC Regional Sanctions Compliance Officer will be one of the subject matter experts within the APAC FCU’s Regional Sanctions Team and will be responsible for providing timely and accurate advisory support to the business lines and support functions on a day-to-day basis. The candidate will also be expected to contribute to the effective implementation and enhancement of SG Group’s sanctions compliance framework, policies and procedures, support senior management through regular reporting, and participate in sanctions training and awareness initiatives.