Director, Regional Head of Sanctions

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Join MUFG, where being inspired is expected and making a meaningful impact is rewarded.

Purpose of the Job

The Director and Regional Head of Sanctions Compliance will provide strategic leadership and oversight of sanctions compliance across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region while supporting the broader Financial Crime framework. The role serves as a senior advisor to business, compliance, and risk stakeholders, ensuring adherence to global sanctions requirements and cross-regional sanctions regulatory requirements. The candidate reports into both the Regional Head of Financial Crimes for APAC and the Global Head of Sanctions. The candidate will also be dual-hatted to support MUS Asia in an advisory capacity.

This role has the potential for expanded leadership opportunities across the Financial Crimes Office of Asia, therefore the successful candidate should display knowledge and experience in the areas of Sanctions, AML and ABC.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of MUFG’s APAC Sanctions Program.

• Oversee Advisory and Oversight of AML related risk issues including implementations of requirements and client advisory matters as needed.

• Maintain sanctions policies, standards, procedures, and training programs.

• Lead sanctions advisory activities across APAC, including complex escalations, investigations, and sanctions regulatory change management.

• Provide guidance on sanctions risks arising from products, services, customers, transactions, and emerging business initiatives.

• Partner with Global Sanctions, business, operations, technology, and risk teams to enhance sanctions controls, screening effectiveness, and governance.

• Oversee sanctions-related risk assessments, issues management, regulatory remediation, and audit responses.

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives related to sanctions screening, data quality, list management, and operational effectiveness.

• Support regional and global regulatory engagement activities.

• Act as a trusted advisor to senior management on sanctions and broader Financial Crime matters.

• Represent MUFG in industry forums, peer discussions, and regulatory interactions as appropriate.

• Contribute to enterprise-wide Financial Crime initiatives and strategic transformation programs

• Support the development and execution of regional Financial Crime strategy, including sanctions, AML, and related risk disciplines.

• Provide executive-level reporting and strategic recommendations to senior management and governance committees.

• Actively identify opportunities of automation of manual processes, including solutions supported by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and drive their implementation across sanctions program areas.

• Implement and drive change programs within GFCD to ensure that Financial Crimes Compliance remains in line with regulatory requirements and local, regional and global priorities.

• Support MUFG Securities Asia with regards to Financial Crimes Compliance.

• Manage a team, including recruitment, performance management, compensation, motivation and people development.

Required Qualifications

Skills & Knowledge

• A minimum of 15 years experience working in financial crimes (FC) function in a financial institution, regulatory agency or law firm.

• Demonstrated success managing regulatory relationships and complex risk issues in Sanctions, AML and Securities

• Strong executive communication and stakeholder management skills.

• Prior management experience required.

• Experience in managing or supporting FC program development, maintenance and enhancement.

• Experience in interacting with business management, control function leadership and compliance personnel.

• Strong communication skills.

• Experience interacting with an executive committee or similar leadership, control function leadership and compliance subject matter experts.

• Process oriented with a strong ability to develop appropriate program enhancing strategies.

• Thorough understanding of an effective financial crimes risk management framework.

• Knowledge of products and services of one or more of the following businesses: Corporate Banking, Investment Banking, Transaction Banking, and/or Global Markets.

• Strong people management.

Education & Professional Qualifications

• Degree qualified (Business, Accounting, Legal or related field).

Experience

• Significant senior leadership experience within sanctions compliance, financial crimes compliance, risk management, or regulatory affairs.

• Demonstrated experience managing compliance programs with enterprise-wide oversight responsibilities.

• Proven track record of developing and implementing sanctions governance frameworks across multiple jurisdictions.

• Experience is broader Financial Crimes Compliance, including KYC, AML and Anti-Bribery & Corruption programs.

• Experience leading large-scale compliance transformation and regulatory change initiatives.

• Strong history of regulatory engagement and management of complex compliance matters, and familiarity with regulatory requirements/expectations in APAC..

• Demonstrated ability to influence executive leadership and drive strategic decision-making across global organizations.

• Experience and/or strong knowledge in implementation of automation, digital assets and AI solutions.

We regret to inform that only shortlisted applicants will be notified.

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) is an equal opportunity employer. We view our employees as our key assets as they are fundamental to our long-term growth and success. MUFG is committed to hiring based on merit and organsational fit, regardless of race, religion or gender.