Financial Crime & Sanctions Operations Analyst

Location: Ipswich (Hybrid)
Reporting Line: Organisation Management, KYC and Sanctions Operations Lead

The Role

As a Financial Crime & Sanctions Operations Analyst, you will execute sanctions screening, monitoring and due diligence activities across onboarding, placement and client servicing processes. Operating as part of the first line of defence, you will support compliance with global sanctions regulations while maintaining a robust and risk-based control environment.  

This role works closely with Broking, Placement Support, Client Servicing and Risk & Compliance teams as part of Organisation Management, to ensure appropriate sanctions screening is performed and risks are identified, assessed and escalated where required. You will be responsible for completing structured screening workflows, maintaining accurate audit trails and supporting consistent control execution.

You will play a key role in protecting the business from financial crime risk while enabling efficient delivery of core operations through disciplined and pragmatic application of sanctions requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Sanctions Screening & Monitoring

• Perform sanctions screening across clients, reinsurers, intermediaries and associated individuals

• Review screening outputs, identifying potential sanctions exposure and determining appropriate action

• Conduct re-screening and ongoing monitoring based on risk rating and lifecycle events

• Support screening of underlying datasets, referrals and related activity

Sanctions Referrals & Escalation

• Assess and triage sanctions alerts and referrals

• Escalate complex or high-risk matters to Risk & Compliance or Legal teams where required

• Maintain clear and auditable records of all screening decisions and actions

• Support ongoing due diligence and monitoring requirements ensuring the business is informed timely and as appropriate  

Controls, Quality & Continuous Improvement

• Operate as a first line control function, ensuring consistent execution of sanctions controls

• Adhere to sanctions policy, AML/CTF requirements and regulatory expectations

• Identify control gaps, breaches or process inefficiencies and support remediation

• Contribute to improvements in processes, controls and systems, including automation and AI solutions

Business Support & Stakeholder Collaboration

• Act as a key point of contact for sanctions-related queries from broking, placement and client service teams

• Provide clear guidance on screening outcomes and required actions

• Balance regulatory requirements with business delivery needs in a pragmatic manner

• Support wider Organisation Management (KYC) team activities as required

Data, MI & Insight

• Support tracking of screening volumes, turnaround times and referral trends

• Contribute to MI reporting on sanctions activity and performance metrics

• Identify trends and opportunities to enhance efficiency and control effectiveness

Training & Awareness

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of global sanctions regimes (UK, EU, US, UN)

• Support sanctions awareness and training initiatives across the business

About You

• Detail-focused with a strong commitment to quality and accuracy

• Clear communicator, able to explain screening outcomes and risk considerations effectively

• Experience in sanctions, financial crime, KYC or compliance operations

• Working knowledge of global sanctions regimes (e.g. OFSI, OFAC, EU, UN)

• Comfortable operating within a regulated financial services environment

• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities

• Collaborative approach with sound risk awareness and judgement

About Willis Re

We combine specialist broking with analytics, modeling and research to help insurers optimize risk transfer, strengthen balance sheets and achieve sustainable growth. Our approach is relationship-driven, transparent and outcome-focused.

At the heart of Willis Re is a focus on delivering the most cutting-edge analytical solutions to enable more informed, better decision-making for risk selection, portfolio optimization, and capital management.

The launch of Willis Re brings a strategic advantage of being unhindered by legacy, an ability to leverage data, statistical models and advanced technologies with the best knowledge and expertise to deliver more efficient and effective reinsurance outcomes. This places Willis Re in a unique position to build a truly analytically driven business, focused on creating solutions for the reinsurance industry that are future led and forward thinking.

Willis Re will also leverage recognized technical expertise from WTW’s Insurance Consulting & Technology business including their advanced modeling and analytical capabilities. Alongside this will be WTW’s Research Network, an award-winning business supporting and influencing science to improve the understanding and quantification of risk.

Willis Re is committed to embracing a diverse, inclusive, and flexible work environment. We provide equal opportunity to all qualified individuals regardless of race, colour, religion, age, gender, gender expression, national origin, veteran status, disability, orientation, or any other legally protected categories. If you have a need that requires accommodation, please email us at [email protected]