Your Role
Do you have the experience and expertise to provide guidance on U.S. and international sanctions in the context of complex financial products and transactions within a rapidly evolving geopolitical environment? Do you want to safeguard the financial system from direct and indirect sanctions? Are you committed to maintaining independence and objectivity while doing the right thing?
We are seeking a Director of Sanctions Advisory to act as a trusted advisor and sanctions subject matter expert. This role involves transforming complex requirements across multiple regimes into clear, actionable guidance and advice. The successful candidate will play a critical leadership role in assessing and making decisions on client cases and transactions that require a deep understanding of sanctions regulators, particularly from the U.S. perspective.
Key Responsibilities
- Assess potential sanctions risks by investigating complex 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 strong understanding of evolving compliance frameworks.
- Interpret regulations and translate them into practical guidance for business and control functions.
- Develop and maintain a strong understanding of the bank’s business model, products, client base, and control environment.
- Make or support critical decisions on client relationships, escalation actions, and regulatory reporting based on investigation findings.
- Build capability across UBS by delivering targeted training and briefings for employees across divisions (Investment Banking, Wealth Management, Retail & Corporate, Asset Management) while embedding a consistent application of internal sanctions guidelines.
Your Team
You will join the Financial Crime Prevention function in Zurich. This team serves as a central hub for sanctions advisory, partnering closely with Compliance, Operational Risk Control, and key stakeholders across UBS to enable client activity and meet regulatory expectations through a strong, pragmatic control environment.
Diversity makes us stronger. We foster an inclusive culture with equal opportunities, helping our people grow, strengthening our business, and creating added value for our clients.
Your Expertise
- University degree or equivalent qualification, ideally a master’s degree, in law, economics, finance, banking, international relations, or a related discipline.
- 8+ years of sanctions, AML/CFT, and regulatory experience, with at least 5 years at the U.S. authority overseeing sanctions (Office of Foreign Assets Control).
- Expertise in U.S. economic sanctions programs, OFAC enforcement, and global financial crime risk.
- Demonstrated success in leading regulatory examinations, governance initiatives, and enterprise compliance enhancements.
- Extensive experience interpreting legislation, regulations, executive orders, and regulatory guidance.
- Strong international engagement background with regulators globally.
- Deep understanding of global sanctions regimes and associated governance, risk, and control frameworks.
- Proven experience leading the assessment and implementation of sanctions regulatory changes arising from significant geopolitical, legislative, and regulatory developments.
- Experience engaging with regulators, audit functions, and executive governance forums.
- Exceptional analytical, judgment, communication, and stakeholder management capabilities.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including preparation of high-quality materials for executive and board-level audiences.
Join Us
At UBS, we know that it's our people, with their diverse skills, experiences, and backgrounds, who drive our ongoing success. We’re dedicated to our craft and passionate about putting our people first, with new challenges, a supportive team, opportunities to grow, and flexible working options when possible. Our inclusive culture brings out the best in our employees, wherever they are on their career journey. We also leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to work smarter and more efficiently. Collaboration is at the heart of everything we do. Together, we can achieve more.
Apply online using the form below. Please note that only applications matching the job profile will be considered.
Contact Details
UBS Business Solutions SA
UBS Recruiting
Disclaimer / Policy Statements
UBS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We respect and seek to empower each individual, supporting the diverse cultures, perspectives, skills, and experiences within our workforce.