Sanctions Team Lead, AVP

Apple Bank for Savings
United States, New York, New York
Mar 06, 2025
New York, NY/Hybrid Salary Range: $140,000 - $160,000 The Economic and Trade Sanctions Unit (ETSU) is a subunit team within Apple Bank's (the Bank) AFC Department. The ETSU is a second line function that acts as the Bank's primary subject matter experts on Sanctions. The ETSU acts in both advisory and operational capacities, managing enterprise sanctions screening and overseeing applicable procedures and processes used to support the Sanctions Compliance Program across the Bank. The Sanctions Team Lead is a member of the ETSU and is responsible for the daily operations within the AFC sub-unit. Specifically, the Sanctions Team Lead will work both as a Team Lead of the ETSU's Sanctions Operational Analysts and separately as an individual contributor in achieving the ETSU's strategic priorities and initiatives. Within the ETSU, the Sanctions Team Lead will serve as the primary point of escalation for most operational escalations, such as potential matches within sanctions filtering technology. Beyond the ETSU, the Sanctions Team Lead will collaborate with other AFC subunits to assist in matters where there is a nexus of sanctions and financial crime risk. Additionally, the individual will help ensure that lines of business comply with the Bank's Sanctions Compliance Program, provide them with advisory services when needed, and promote a strong culture of sanctions compliance in all employee interactions throughout the Bank. ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES The Sanctions Team Lead will: The Sanctions Team Lead will: Maintain a high degree of relevant knowledge with respect to OFAC and other sanctions laws and regulations. This includes monitoring new and proposed sanctions-related legislation, regulatory requirements, key enforcement actions, key trends, and emerging issues, as directed by the Head of Sanctions. Manage day-to-day operational components of the ETSU program. This includes, but is not limited to, oversight of screening analysts in their completion of payment screening, name screening, customer screening, MI Reporting, and providing relevant training to ETSU staff. Investigate all cases escalated by Level 1 reviewers and conduct screening of Level 1 cases as needed. Assist in the onboarding of new hires by guiding their transition through knowledge transfer, closely tracking their progress, and serving as a first line in answering questions and sharing internal institutional information about the Bank. Serve as a SME and advisor to lines of business across a wide spectrum of products, services and transactions to ensure compliance with the regulatory obligations and the Bank's overall Sanctions Compliance Program. Assist with maintaining sanctions policies and procedures to identify, detect and mitigate sanctions risks. Assist with reviewing and enhancing sanctions control processes, such as customer screening at onboarding, batch screening, transaction screening, alert disposition and escalation, investigations, list management, configuration testing, change management and root cause analysis for any program breaches, as directed by the Head of Sanctions. Assist respective teams in the completion of the sanctions risk assessment and NYSDFS Part 504 certification. Partner with colleagues in AFC Systems Unit and Information Technology on tuning and optimization of the screening model. Escalate material issues or emerging risk to the Head of Sanctions. ADDITIONAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES The Sanctions Team Lead will also: Apply independent judgment in the identification and escalation of key sanctions risks. Display a high level of professional aptitude and standards. Recommend improvements to process in areas of efficiency, control, and work product. Participate in committee meetings, as necessary. Perform ad hoc and project support, as required. SKILLS, EDUCATION, & EXPERIENCE Bachelor's degree required. Minimum 4 years of experience in banking compliance, with a strong emphasis on OFAC sanctions regulations and requirements. Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills. Excellent time management skills with strong focus on attention to detail. Ability to work effectively in a team-fostered, multitasking environment. A professional certification (i.e., CAMS) is helpful. Visa sponsorship not available. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, military and/or veteran status, or any other Federal or State legally-protected classes.