Director, Sanctions Compliance

About the Company:

Circle operates in the realm of financial technology, situated at the heart of the advancing internet of money. Enabling the transfer of value akin to digital data but on a global scale, with speed and cost-effectiveness that outperform traditional settlement systems. This revolutionary internet layer unveils unprecedented prospects for payments, commerce, and markets, fostering global economic growth and inclusivity. Our comprehensive infrastructure, featuring the blockchain-based dollar USDC, equips businesses, organizations, and developers to leverage these advancements and make the most of this pivotal juncture in the convergence of money and technology.

What You'll Experience:

Circleupholds transparency and steadfastness across all operations. Expanding into robust global jurisdictions as we evolve as an entity. Swiftness and efficacy fuel our achievements, and our dedicated staff live up to our core values: Multistakeholder, Mindfulness, Driven by Excellence, and High Integrity. Our team is on a continual growth trajectory in a remote environment where teamwork facilitates success. The work ambiance nurtures innovation and ensures every individual's involvement in the outcomes.

What Your Role Demands:

Circle is seeking a Sanctions Compliance Director to administer and supervise the company's Sanctions Compliance Program. Being a pivotal figure in the Compliance team's second line of defense, you will establish and execute the mandates and benchmarks for Circle's Sanctions framework. Collaborating with operational and compliance/risk colleagues to deliver timely counsel and guarantee the presence and maintenance of relevant controls, adhering to varied regulations across Circle's operating jurisdictions. Your responsibilities include crafting internal strategies, policies, procedures, and protocols related to surveillance and promoting compliance with sanctions regulations. This entails evaluating associated risks and controls processes, setting standards to manage, mitigate said risks, safeguard the business, and heighten awareness of sanctions regulations.

Your Duties:

• Developing the holistic Sanctions program and blueprint, which includes formulating policies, standards, and other operational or guidance resources.
• Offering day-to-day consultation on devising sanctions screening mechanisms and controls for Circle's services, ensuring compliance with pertinent sanctions regulations.
• Strategizing, drafting, fine-tuning, and testing configurations for Sanction screening applications.
• Conducting data scrutiny, defining business needs, addressing arising issues, assessing several implied risks, estimating, and validating implementation of new functionalities and enhancements.
• Appraising, identifying, and advising on compliance risks and control enhancements to various stakeholders and customers, curbing risks tied to AML and Sanctions.
• Providing continual advice to business endeavors on new initiatives, products, and customer matters in relation to policy applicability, flag resolution, and other compliance escalations.
• Delving into research, analysis, and suggesting remediation measures on action plans concerning matters presenting sanctions and/or reputational risks.
• Overseeing control evaluations and aiding in the completion of enterprise-wide Sanctions Risk Assessments.
• Keeping abreast of notable Sanctions regulatory modifications, significant enforcement actions, and related industry trends.
• Assisting regional Compliance Heads in ensuring the scalability and compliance of all regulatory mechanisms.
• Promulgating, monitoring, and reporting on an array of KPIs / KRIs across various internal meetings including Executive Leadership and Board-level disclosures.
• Liaising closely with the Compliance Operations team to operationalize the Sanctions Compliance regime.
• Collaborating with Legal, Product, and other internal stakeholders to facilitate license application processes spanning multiple regions.
• Engaging in interactions with regulators, examiners, and auditors when appraising the Compliance program.

Shared Core Values:

• Multistakeholder - dedication and allegiance to our clientele, shareholders, employees, families, and local communities.
• Mindful - practice respect, active listening, and attention to detail.
• Driven by Excellence - commitment to our mission, striving for customer triumph with uncompromising pursuit of excellence, intolerance of mediocrity, and persistent goal achievement.
• High Integrity - commitment to open, honest communication, upheld by high moral and ethical standards, renouncing manipulation, deceit, and intolerance.

Your Qualities For Consideration:

• Over 12 years of pertinent experience in compliance with profound expertise in overseeing Sanctions programs.
• At least 5 years of team management and leadership experience.
• Compliance background in banking, consultancy, or cryptocurrency is mandatory. Prior exposure to RegTech or Fintech sectors is advantageous.
• Proven record in regulatory examinations and presenting to examiners.
• Deep understanding and experience with OFAC, UN, and other Global Sanctions regulatory directives.
• Proficiency in steering performance and configuration of client and transaction sanction screening mechanisms.
• Familiarity with client screening and related alert evaluations.
• Hands-on collaboration with cross-functional team leads like legal experts, engineers, product managers, data analysts, and operations analysts to refine compliance systems.
• Comfort operating within a dynamic industry, swiftly adapting to shifting demands.
• Familiarity with tools such as Slack, Apple MacOS, and GSuite.

Additional Notices:

• Eligibility for day-one PERM sponsoring of the position is on offer for qualified candidates.
• Circle strives to fashion an all-encompassing financial landscape with transparency as a guiding principle when framing compensation ranges and total packages.
• Initial compensation is determined by various factors like experience, skill set, qualifications, along with organizational and business needs. Note that compensation ranges may vary according to different geographical locations.
• Base Pay Range: $190,000 - $242,500
• Annual Bonus Target: 20%
• Also inclusive of Equity & Benefits (encompassing medical, dental, vision and 401(k)). Circle practices a flexible vacation policy and grants 10 days of paid sick leave annually, and observes 11 paid holidays per year across the U.S.

Circle is an equal opportunity employer, we treasure diversity and uphold equality across Circle, refraining from discriminating based on attributes such as race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital or veteran status, or disability. Furthermore, Circle takes part in the E-Verify Program in specified locations as mandated by law.

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