Head of Global Sanctions
Job Description:
Head of Global Sanctions
The Role
The Head of Global Sanctions is the senior executive responsible for leading Fidelity’s global economic sanctions program across all business lines and jurisdictions. This role sets the strategic direction, ensures robust governance and oversight, and drives enterprise‑level sanctions risk management in an increasingly complex global regulatory landscape.
You will report to the Global Head of Fidelity’s Financial Crimes Compliance program and serve as the firm’s sanctions authority, accountable for U.S. OFAC compliance and alignment with global sanctions regimes, including those issued by the UK, EU, Canada, Switzerland, and the UN—where cross‑jurisdictional divergence and increased regulatory activity require heightened coordination.
You will lead the design, execution, and continuous enhancement of Fidelity’s sanctions program, supporting strategic priorities, operational resilience, and regulatory expectations amid aggressive global enforcement trends, including rising penalties, expanded gatekeeper liability, and broader scrutiny of financial intermediaries.
Key Responsibilities:
Program Strategy, Design & Governance
Set and continuously refine the global sanctions strategy in a regulatory environment marked by growing enforcement intensity, increased cross-border divergence, and expansion of sanctions beyond traditional targets to include logistics, cyber networks, and facilitation structures.
Oversee an enterprise-wide sanctions program aligned with OFAC and parallel global authorities, ensuring a risk‑based, forward‑looking framework designed to detect and mitigate sanctions exposure across all Fidelity entities and clients.
Establish and maintain program governance, including policies, standards, procedures, and escalations.
Oversee and coordinate global sanctions governance in partnership with business‑unit AML and Sanctions Officers, ensuring alignment on risk management priorities, governance standards, and executive communications.
Screening, Investigations & Decisioning
Provide executive oversight and final‑level decisioning for complex customer, transaction, investment, and third‑party sanctions escalations. Ensure controls adequately address expanding enforcement expectations for financial intermediaries, investment managers, brokers, and gatekeepers.
Risk Assessment & Controls
Lead global sanctions risk assessments to identify emerging exposures, including non‑U.S. sanctions programs increasingly diverging from U.S. actions (e.g., Canada, Switzerland, EU expanding designations while U.S. growth slows). Identify and implement program enhancements across people, processes, and technology.
Technology, Analytics & Data Enablement
Champion advanced screening tools, data science applications, machine‑learning detection capabilities, and continuous optimization of systems and models. Partner with Technology and Platform Strategy teams to drive automation to support scalability and reduce false positives in a rapidly evolving threat landscape, including risks associated with fintech, crypto, digital assets, and cross‑border payment technologies.
Metrics, Reporting & Regulatory Engagement
Develop and present comprehensive sanctions reporting, trend analysis, and program health indicators to Executive Committees, Senior Leaders, Audit and regulators. Act as Financial Crimes Compliance’s representative with domestic and international regulators, law‑enforcement bodies, and industry groups.
Enterprise Partnership & Leadership
Influence and collaborate with senior leaders across Compliance, Legal, Risk, Technology, Investments, Brokerage, Global Security, and Audit. Lead, mentor, and develop a high‑performing global sanctions team, ensuring technical expertise, analytical depth, and readiness for evolving regulatory demands.
The Expertise and Skills You Bring
12+ years of sanctions compliance experience at a large financial institution, regulatory agency, consultancy, law firm, or equivalent.
Deep knowledge of global sanctions regimes, including OFAC, UK HMT, EU, UN, and Canadian sanctions, as well as familiarity with their increasing divergence and cross‑border implications.
Experience managing global sanctions programs for large and complex financial institutions.
Strong industry understanding across brokerage, asset management, wealth management, and digital/crypto asset ecosystems.
Proven leadership with the executive presence to influence across the organization and engage effectively with regulators.
Demonstrated ability to innovate program operations, including data‑driven control optimization, technology transformation, and end‑to‑end sanctions governance.
Ability to deliver in a fast‑paced environment with competing priorities, while maintaining a disciplined, risk‑based approach.
Exceptional integrity, judgment, and ability to challenge thoughtfully and constructively.
Note: Fidelity is not providing immigration sponsorship for this position
The Team
The Financial Crimes Compliance (FCC) group leads Fidelity’s global AML, sanctions, and anti‑corruption programs. FCC designs, governs, and oversees enterprise‑wide financial‑crime risk mitigation with a commitment to operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and safeguarding Fidelity, its customers, and the financial eco-system.
Placement in the range will vary based on job responsibilities and scope, geographic location, candidate’s relevant experience, and other factors.
Base salary is only part of the total compensation package. Depending on the position and eligibility requirements, the offer package may also include bonus or other variable compensation.
We offer a wide range of benefits to meet your evolving needs and help you live your best life at work and at home. These benefits include comprehensive health care coverage and emotional well-being support, market-leading retirement, generous paid time off and parental leave, charitable giving employee match program, and educational assistance including student loan repayment, tuition reimbursement, and learning resources to develop your career. Note, the application window closes when the position is filled or unposted.
Please be advised that Fidelity’s business is governed by the provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, the Investment Company Act of 1940, ERISA, numerous state laws governing securities, investment and retirement-related financial activities and the rules and regulations of numerous self-regulatory organizations, including FINRA, among others. Those laws and regulations may restrict Fidelity from hiring and/or associating with individuals with certain Criminal Histories.
Most roles at Fidelity are Hybrid, requiring associates to work onsite every other week (all business days, M-F) in a Fidelity office. This does not apply to Remote or fully Onsite roles. Please consult with your recruiter for the specific expectations for this position.