Director, Sanctions Compliance

Job Overview:

Circle operates as a leading financial technology establishment, deeply immersed in the burgeoning internet of money. In this landscape, the flow of value can now move akin to digital data, spanning globally with near-instantaneous speed and reduced costs compared to traditional settlement methods. This innovative internet layer presents boundless opportunities for enhancing payments, trade, and markets, ultimately contributing to bolstering global economic prosperity and fostering inclusivity. Circle's underlying infrastructure, which includes USDC, a blockchain-driven dollar, empowers enterprises, institutions, and developers to leverage these advancements and seize the transformative potential in the realms of money and technology.

Your Role at Circle:

When stepping into Circle, you align with a philosophy centered on openness and steadfastness. Our team extends its presence across robust global jurisdictions as we steer towards growth. Swiftness and effectiveness serve as pivotal forces behind our achievements, with our team embodying our core values of being Multistakeholder, Mindful, Driven by Excellence, and High Integrity. At Circle, adaptation flourishes in a virtual setting where collective collaboration propels team accomplishments. We establish an adaptable and inclusive workforce where fresh concepts are embraced, and everyone's voice matters.

Your Key Responsibilities Will Encompass:

Circle seeks a proficient Sanctions Compliance Director charged with overseeing and orchestrating Circle's Sanctions Compliance Program. In this influential role within the Compliance team's second-tier defense, you will spearhead the formulation and enforcement of guidelines and standards for Circle's Sanctions initiatives. Your duties include collaborating with business and compliance/risk cohorts to offer timely counsel, validate the presence and maintenance of pertinent controls to ensure compliance with regulations across all jurisdictions where Circle operates. Furthermore, you will be entrusted with outlining internal strategies, policies, protocols, processes concerning monitoring, enhancing awareness of sanctions regulatory requisites, evaluating related sanctions risk exposure, supervising sanctions control measures' quality, and setting benchmarks to govern and mitigate such risks, shielding the business in the process.

Your Primary Focus Will Involve:

• Overseeing the end-to-end Sanctions program and strategy formulation.
• Providing guidance on designing sanctions screening platforms and facilitating controls for Circle's services in alignment with sanctions regulations.
• Conceptualizing, developing, and testing configurations for Sanction screening applications.
• Conducting data analysis, delineating business requirements, evaluating emerging issues, estimating, and overseeing new feature implementations and enhancements.
• Identifying, assessing, and advising on compliance risks, proposing control enhancements to various stakeholders to diminish AML and Sanctions-related risks.
• Guiding businesses on matters like new initiatives, products, customer affairs pertinent to policy applicability, resolving potential compliance escalations.
• Conducting research, analysis, offering remediation recommendations on action plans entailing sanctions and reputational risks.
• Vigilantly assessing controls and aiding in the completion of company-wide Sanctions Risk Assessments.
• Keeping abreast of significant Sanctions regulatory developments, enforcement deeds, and industry trends.
• Cooperating with Compliance Operations team to implement the Sanctions Compliance program effectively.
• Collaborating closely with Legal, Product teams, internal stakeholders to facilitate license application processes across varied regions.
• Engaging with regulators, examiners, and auditors during compliance program audits.

Expectations Aligned with Our Core Values:

• Multistakeholder: Place dedication to customers, shareholders, employees, families, and local communities at the forefront.
• Mindful: Represent respect, active listening, and attention to details.
• Driven by Excellence: Champion our mission and customer success, relentlessly striving for excellence, eschewing mediocrity, and relentlessly pursuing goals.
• High Integrity: Uphold open, honest communication, adhere to elevated moral and ethical standards, rejecting manipulation, dishonesty, and intolerance.

Requirements for Success at Circle:

• A minimum of 12 years relative compliance experience with a focus on managing Sanctions programs.
• Over 5 years of leadership background managing teams.
• Compliance track record in disciplines like banking, consulting, or cryptocurrency, essential. Familiarity with RegTech or Fintech realms preferred.
• Demonstrable competence with regulatory assessments and presentation skills.
• Profound knowledge of OFAC, UN, and other Global Sanctions regulatory frameworks.
• Hands-on experience managing and optimizing client transaction screening systems' performance and configurations.
• Familiarity with client screening processes and associated alert reviews.
• Aptitude for collaborating with cross-functional leaders to refine compliance procedures and systems.
• Adaptability and proficiency working in a dynamic industry, flexibly responding to evolving demands.
• Acquaintance with Slack, Apple MacOS, and GSuite environments.

Additional Details:

• This role is eligible for day-one PERM sponsorship for eligible candidates.

Circle remains dedicated to creating an inclusive financial future, underpinned by transparency. Our compensation packages and ranges are intricately crafted based on numerous considerations ranging from experience and qualifications to organizational needs. Such ranges may differ depending on the location of candidates.

Base Pay Range: $190,000 - $242,500

Annual Bonus Target: 20%

Benefits Inclusion: Equity, comprehensive benefits (medical, dental, vision, and 401(k)), alongside a discretionary vacation policy and allotted sick leave and paid holidays annually in the U.S.

Circle stands as an equal opportunity employer, endorsing diversity within its workforce, devoid of discrimination based on race, religion, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability. Furthermore, Circle partakes in the E-Verify Program as mandatory in select locales, as per legal mandates.

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