Head of Financial Crime Assurance

The base location for this role can be  London or Birmingham / UK Wide, Hong Kong or UAE  – Hybrid working.

Financial Crime Assurance – Sanctions is responsible for leading the second line assurance activities specifically focused on sanctions risk management across HSBC. This role ensures that assurance activities are risk-based, consistent, and effective in evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of systems and controls to mitigate sanctions risk, providing senior management and regulators confidence in the strength of the Financial crime and sanctions framework.  

This position is crucial for ensuring that robust assurance processes are in place and executed effectively to assess the effectiveness of the Bank's Sanctions control environment independently. The role demands strategic oversight of global frameworks and standards with a focus on evaluating how effectively the organisation prevents, detects, and mitigates Sanctions risk across all businesses and jurisdictions.

The role requires a deep understanding of evolving regulatory expectations and emerging sanctions risks and typologies, alongside the ability to collaborate seamlessly with Sanctions Risk Stewards, first line control owners, and assurance teams to uphold the highest standards of compliance and risk management.

For the role of Financial Crime Assurance – Sanctions, you will play a critical role in supporting the development and execution of assurance strategies that align with the organisation's overarching risk management framework. Working closely with the Head of Financial Crime Assurance & Head of FC Assurance IWPB, as well as the Group Head of Sanctions, you will oversee the delivery of independent, risk-based assurance across Sanctions risk, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and proactive risk management.

You will lead a dedicated team of professionals, providing targeted assurance of sanctions risk management, considering whether the risks are effectively identified, assessed and managed and that assurance outcomes provide meaningful insights to senior management and regulators. 

Accountabilities for Business, Customers and Stakeholders

• Support development and uphold the global second line financial crime assurance framework, methodologies and operating model.
• Oversee Risk Steward-led sanctions risk assurance activity, ensuring consistency, quality and independence of approach.
• Work closely with senior leaders in Financial Crime, 2LOD Assurance, first line of defence (GCCOO Control Oversight Office) and third line of defence (Internal Audit) to ensure alignment, avoid duplication and strengthen the overall three lines of defence model.
• Build and sustain a high-performing global team that demonstrate consistent, independent and risk-based assurance across sanctions risk types.
• Apply deep expertise in risk assessment and/or assurance methodologies to strengthen the Bank's overall three lines of defence model and meet evolving regulatory expectations. 

Leadership & Teamwork 

• Support the Head of FC Assurance & Head of FC Assurance IWPB in delivering to the financial crime risk assurance strategy.
• Lead a global team of assurance professionals, across sanctions risk types, setting strategic direction and ensuring high quality delivery of the sanctions assurance agenda.
• Foster strong collaboration across R&C Assurance, promoting consistency and knowledge sharing across risk types.
• Role model HSBC values and conduct, driving an inclusive, diverse and high-performance culture.
• Influence and build trust with senior executives and stakeholders across regions and functions, ensuring effective buy in to assurance priorities for sanctions risks.
• Demonstrate experience in leading and managing high-performing teams, with a focus on fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Ability to mentor and develop team members, ensuring they are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in their roles.

Functional Knowledge and Experience

• Extensive knowledge of sanctions risks, systems, controls, and regulatory expectations.
• Deep understanding of HSBC's risk management frameworks and their application to sanctions risk management as well as assurance/risk assessment methodologies.
• Comprehensive understanding of global sanctions regulations, standards, and control frameworks.
• Experience in leading or overseeing assurance, audit, or regulatory testing functions within a complex, global financial institution is an added benefit.
• Experience in managing regulatory audits and inspections, with a proven track record of maintaining compliance and addressing regulatory changes proactively preferred.
• Proficiency in identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks across various business units, ensuring that risk exposure is minimized and managed effectively.
• Ability to develop and implement risk assessment tools and techniques that provide accurate and timely insights into the organization's risk profile.
• Ability to translate complex risk and control issues into meaningful insights for senior executives and regulators.
• Skilled in balancing independent challenge with constructive engagement to drive improvements in the control environment.
• Strong strategic thinking skills with the ability to anticipate and address emerging sanctions risks and challenges.
• Innovative problem-solving abilities, with a focus on developing practical solutions that enhance the organization's risk management capabilities.
• Must demonstrate a proactive, curious and investigative mindset, with ability to be dynamic, risk-based, and make effective judgements, with an understanding of the effectiveness agenda.
• Experience in using technology to build out an effective assurance department is an added benefit