Director, Sanctions Compliance

Circle is a financial technology company at the epicenter of the emerging internet of money, where value can finally travel like other digital data — globally, nearly instantly and less expensively than legacy settlement systems.
This ground-breaking new internet layer opens up previously unimaginable possibilities for payments, commerce and markets that can help raise global economic prosperity and enhance inclusion.
Our infrastructure – including USDC, a blockchain-based dollar – helps businesses, institutions and developers harness these breakthroughs and capitalize on this major turning point in the evolution of money and technology.
What you'll be part of: Circle is committed to visibility and stability in everything we do.
As we grow as an organization, we're expanding into some of the world's strongest jurisdictions.
Speed and efficiency are motivators for our success and our employees live by our company values: Multistakeholder, Mindfulness, Driven by Excellence and High Integrity.
Circlers are consistently evolving in a remote world where strength in numbers fuels team success.
We have built a flexible and diverse work environment where new ideas are encouraged and everyone is a stakeholder.
What you'll be responsible for: Circle is looking for a Sanctions Compliance Director that will oversee the development and management of Circle's Sanctions Compliance Program.
As a key leader within the second line of defense Compliance team, you will be responsible for developing and implementing the requirements and standards for Circle's Sanctions programs.
You will work with the business and compliance/risk peers to provide timely guidance and advice and ensure that the relevant controls are in place and maintained to comply with the relevant regulations in all the jurisdictions in which Circle operates.
You will be responsible for establishing internal strategies, policies, procedures, processes related to monitoring and fostering awareness of sanctions regulatory requirements including assessing related sanctions risk exposure, overseeing the quality of sanctions control processes and setting standards to manage and mitigate those sanctions risks and protect the business.
What you'll work on: Owning the end-to-end Sanctions program and strategy, including the development of policies, standards, and other procedural or guidance materials.
Providing day-to-day guidance for designing sanctions screening platforms and controls for Circle's services and all applicable sanctions regulations.
Planning, designing, developing and testing configurations for Sanction screening applications.
Performing data analysis, designing business requirements, understanding emerging issues, performing estimation and verify implementation of new features and enhancements.
Identifying, assessing, and advising on compliance risks and control enhancements to a variety of stakeholders and customers to mitigate risks related to AML and Sanctions.
Providing advice to the businesses on an ongoing basis on new business initiatives, new products, and customer-related matters with respect to applicability of policies, resolution of potential red flags or other compliance escalations.
Researching, analyzing and providing recommended remediation efforts on action plans for matters that present sanctions and/or reputational risk.
Overseeing control assessments and supporting the completion of company-wide Sanctions Risk Assessments.
Staying current on key Sanctions regulatory changes, key enforcement actions and related industry trends.
Assisting regional Heads of Compliance in ensuring that all regulatory processes are scalable and remain compliant.
Developing, monitoring and reporting on a suite of KPIs / KRIs for various internal fora including Executive Leadership and Board-level reporting.
Collaborating closely with the Compliance Operations team to operationalize the Sanctions Compliance program.
Working closely with Legal, Product and other internal stakeholders to support license application processes across multiple regions.
Presenting to regulators, examiners and auditors performing reviews of the Compliance program.
You will aspire to our four core values: Multistakeholder - you have dedication and commitment to our customers, shareholders, employees and families and local communities.
Mindful - you seek to be respectful, an active listener and to pay attention to detail.
Driven by Excellence - you are driven by our mission and our passion for customer success which means you relentlessly pursue excellence, that you do not tolerate mediocrity and you work intensely to achieve your goals.
High Integrity - you seek open and honest communication, and you hold yourself to very high moral and ethical standards.
You reject manipulation, dishonesty and intolerance.
What you'll bring to Circle: 12+ years of relevant experience in compliance with deep specialization in managing Sanctions programs.
5+ years of experience managing and leading teams.
Compliance experience in either banking, consulting, or cryptocurrency required.
Experience in RegTech or Fintech companies is preferred.
Proven experience with regulatory exams and presenting to examiners.
Extensive knowledge of and experience with OFAC, UN, and other Global Sanctions regulatory guidance.
Experience managing the configuration and performance of client and transaction sanction screening systems.
Familiarity with client screening and associated alert reviews.
Experience working hands-on with other cross-functional team leaders, such as lawyers, engineers, product managers, data analysts, operations analysts in improving compliance processes and systems.
Experience and comfort working in an ever changing industry and the flexibility to quickly react to changing demands.
Experience/familiarity with Slack, Apple MacOS and GSuite.
Additional Information: This position is eligible for day-one PERM sponsorship for qualified candidates.
Circle is on a mission to create an inclusive financial future, with transparency at our core.
We consider a wide variety of elements when crafting our compensation ranges and total compensation packages.
Starting pay is determined by various factors, including but not limited to: relevant experience, skill set, qualifications, and other business and organizational needs.
Please note that compensation ranges may differ for candidates in other locations.
Base Pay Range: $190,000 - $242,500 Annual Bonus Target: 20% Also Included: Equity & Benefits (including medical, dental, vision and 401(k)).
Circle has a discretionary vacation policy.
We also provide 10 days of paid sick leave per year and 11 paid holidays per year in the U.
S.
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at Circle.
We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
Additionally, Circle participates in the E-Verify Program in certain locations, as required by law.
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