Services Operations Sanctions Director

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Job Overview

Services Sanctions Operations – Level 2 Payments Lead

Grade:  C15

• Overview

Services is a market leading, award-winning provider of cash management, cards, trade and custody solutions to financial institutions, public sector and corporate clients around the world. With a global network spanning 90+ countries, we are uniquely qualified to service clients with local and cross-border interests and provide integrated reporting and management. Services is a highly innovative organization with a strong digital agenda; new products and services are continuously being developed to meet our clients rapidly evolving treasury requirements and unlock new opportunities for growth.

The Services Sanctions Operations function supports sanctions processes globally across Citi’s Services business. This function strives to a) Make Sanctions processes a competitive advantage; (b) Drive efficient, agile technology and processes (c) Full compliance to strategic operating model across Services lines of business (d) Build strong risk / controls focus, ensure minimal surprises and (e) Deliver on all targeted improvement programs.

• Role

This role serves as the senior Services Operations manager directly managing a team of ~300+ (for payments) full time employees responsible for sanctions disposition processes for countries that are centralized in processing hubs globally. The Manager will be responsible to provide best-in-class service to clients while maintaining risk levels within the firm's risk appetite and protecting the franchise in a manner consistent with the Citi policies and risk framework.

• Key Activities

• Manage Level 2 Payments activities at Hubs globally and ensure all processes are performed in accordance with policies, procedures and exceed OKRs laid out by the Management.
• Manage staff performance and drive continuous improvement of quality of processes and productivity targets.
• Oversee quality reviews and results, budget, policy formulation, and planning.
• Lead and drive employee engagement and career development of teams in Level 2 teams and across Services Sanctions Operations.
• Operate in a fast-paced environment that requires management of work queues, either directly or through others
• Continuously review processes and drive operational efficiency.
• Ensure a robust risk and control framework; work closely with Risk & Control and ICRM Sanctions partners to ensure management self-assessments, corrective action plans, and other Risk and Control deliverables are completed on time.
• Work with Client Service Teams to ensure client escalations are addressed timely and such instances are minimized over time.
• Resolve highly complex and varying issues that have substantial potential impact.
• Perform proactive reviews to prevent processing issues, failures in controls, identifies root causes of issues, oversees remediation efforts, and ensures sustainability of such efforts.
• Represent Services Sanctions Operations on critical sanctions matters as required. Serves as liaison with Internal Audit, and Compliance Assurance Teams on critical Compliance issues and oversee the implementation of related remediation.
• Collaborate with internal areas including: ICRM Sanctions, Control Functions, FinCrime Functions and In-Business Risk to address compliance issues which may impact Services business, products and procedures and ensures learnings are deeply embedded across Operations teams.
• Manage multiple teams including remote teams and provide support to peers in other processing centers.
• Staying abreast of relevant changes to Citi sanctions policies, identifies impact of such changes on Services procedures and proactively works with internal teams globally to adopt such changes in manner that is consistent with policies and is sustainable on the long run.

• Education level and/or relevant experience(s)

• Experience in Transaction Banking products and handling regulatory / compliance matters; experience with influencing cross functional teams, experience in handling policies, issues and remediation.
• 10+ years of relevant regional and/or global operational experience in a financial institution preferably in Sanctions space
• Bachelors’ degree
• An advanced degree (e.g. Masters, MBA) OR certification like ACAMS would be an advantage.

• Knowledge and skills

• Experience with and previous exposure to managing large teams, control / risk / compliance related functions.
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize information, prioritize business goals and drive results with a high sense of urgency.
• Strong interpersonal, influencing and written/verbal communications skills.
• Proven Analytical ability. Pragmatic problem solver, forward thinker with independence of thought.
• Ability to create support and buy-in across a wide range of stakeholders; create a strong network of relationships among peers, internal partners, and decision makers.
• Promotes a culture of collaboration and teamwork across organizational boundaries; willing to break down functional silos to optimize business results and to facilitate the overall growth of the franchise.
• Demonstrated success in driving and implementing process excellence.
• Demonstrable ability to interact with senior management and clients.
• Experience in performing complex problem solving and business trade off decisions.
• Ability to prioritize is key as is ability to juggle several tasks at once.
• Proven ability to meet new challenges, assimilate new information and to influence people through maturity of approach.
• Demonstrated success in Change Management / Process Re-engineering.

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Job Family Group:

Operations - Transaction Services

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Job Family:

Cash Management

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Time Type:

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Primary Location:

New York New York United States

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Primary Location Full Time Salary Range:

$200,000.00 - $300,000.00

In addition to salary, Citi’s offerings may also include, for eligible employees, discretionary and formulaic incentive and retention awards. Citi offers competitive employee benefits, including: medical, dental & vision coverage; 401(k); life, accident, and disability insurance; and wellness programs. Citi also offers paid time off packages, including planned time off (vacation), unplanned time off (sick leave), and paid holidays. For additional information regarding Citi employee benefits, please visit citibenefits.com. Available offerings may vary by jurisdiction, job level, and date of hire.

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Most Relevant Skills

Please see the requirements listed above.

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Other Relevant Skills

For complementary skills, please see above and/or contact the recruiter.

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Anticipated Posting Close Date:

Oct 08, 2025

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