Sr. Director, Global Sanctions Compliance - job 1 of 23

Visa is a world leader in payments and technology, with over 259 billion payments transactions flowing safely between consumers, merchants, financial institutions, and government entities in more than 200 countries and territories each year. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable, and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses, and economies to thrive while driven by a common purpose – to uplift everyone, everywhere by being the best way to pay and be paid.

Make an impact with a purpose-driven industry leader. Join us today and experience Life at Visa.

We are seeking a seasoned compliance professional to manage Visa’s economic sanctions, trade embargo, and export control compliance program. This position will report to the Global BSA/AML and Sanctions Officer and will support the Ethics and Compliance Department and also work closely with business partners and other internal stakeholders. The Sr. Director, Global Sanctions Compliance will oversee, execute, and manage the sanctions and export control compliance program across  Visa. This leader will be responsible for managing a team of compliance professionals to assess sanctions compliance risk and design and implement appropriate controls to mitigate that risk.

The candidate will manage the sanctions compliance team and will partner with key stakeholders including colleagues in Legal, Government Engagement, Risk  Visa account executives to provide guidance to the business on both day-to-day operations as well as new business initiatives. This leader will act with urgency when conditions warrant and exercise outstanding judgement in order to take swift, decisive action when situations warrant.  

Responsibilities:

As the sanctions and export control subject matter expert, you will thoroughly understand the applicable global laws and regulations and their  impact to Visa’s business. You may be called on to  meet with regulators, OFAC staff and other officials regarding OFAC and other sanctions regulatory matters. You will develop, enhance, and implement  the sanctions program and its associated procedures  to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. You will regularly conduct sanctions training for relevant personnel and you will oversee sanctions screening processes, including providing expertise for remediating any sanctions issues or risks that arise.  In partnership with Visa’s technology teams,  you will design and execute screening tools / applications, including logic, thresholds, and application and will test and modify them as appropriate.

Additionally, you will:

• Identify sanctions and export control issues, escalate and remediate appropriately

• Manage client responses and other communications involving sanctions compliance

• Conduct sanctions compliance risk assessments and recommend changes to the sanctions and export control program policies and procedures, as needed

• Train and mentor analysts responsible for daily screening, monitoring and investigation 

• Facilitate internal audit requests and ensure satisfactory resolution of any audit findings and recommendations

• Manage and lead a team of compliance professionals and contractors  supporting sanctions compliance program

• Coordinate sanctions processes with AML team to ensure efficiencies and effectiveness for both programs

• Partner with legal colleagues to respond to  subpoenas and other regulatory requests related to sanctions

• Apply for and manage  OFAC and BIS licenses. Prepare and file all necessary regulatory reports including OFAC blocked property reports, in consultation with Visa legal advisors as needed

• Develop metrics and reports for executive leadership

This is a hybrid position. Hybrid employees can alternate time between both remote and office. Employees in hybrid roles are expected to work from the office 2-3 set days a week (determined by leadership/site), with a general guidepost of being in the office 50% or more of the time based on business needs.

Basic Qualifications:

• 12 or more years of work experience with a Bachelor’s Degree or at least 10 years of work experience with an Advanced degree (e.g. Masters/MBA /JD/MD), or a minimum of 5 years of work experience with a PhD

Preferred Qualifications:

• 15 or more years of experience with a Bachelor’s Degree or 12 years of experience with an Advanced Degree (e.g. Masters, MBA, JD, or MD), PhD with 9+ years of experience
• 12+ years of sanctions compliance experience, preferably with a financial institution, payments company, or other financial services company
• Minimum 8 years of work experience in a global sanctions and export control compliance role with increasing levels of responsibility and deep experience in sanctions matters.
• Minimum 6 years of demonstrated global sanctions compliance leadership and team management experience
• Deep experience designing and implementing sanctions compliance programs and procedures
• Experience with and knowledge of screening technology and systems with a preference for experience with Detica aka Norkom, ACI Worldwide, RDC, Actimize
• Experience managing system configurations and performance output of screening technologies.
• Ability to work independently without significant oversight or direction

Work Hours: Varies upon the needs of the department.

Travel Requirements: This position requires travel 5-10% of the time.

Mental/Physical Requirements: This position will be performed in an office setting.  The position will require the incumbent to sit and stand at a desk, communicate in person and by telephone, frequently operate standard office equipment, such as telephones and computers.

Visa is an EEO Employer.  Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.  Visa will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with EEOC guidelines and applicable local law.

Visa will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable local law, including the requirements of Article 49 of the San Francisco Police Code.

U.S. APPLICANTS ONLY: The estimated salary range for a new hire into this position is 170,000 to 247,500 USD per year, which may include potential sales incentive payments (if applicable). Salary may vary depending on job-related factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location. In addition, this position may be eligible for bonus and equity. Visa has a comprehensive benefits package for which this position may be eligible that includes Medical, Dental, Vision, 401 (k), FSA/HSA, Life Insurance, Paid Time Off, and Wellness Program.