Senior Sanctions Risk Analyst

Senior Sanctions Risk Analyst

Responsibilities

• Serve as the SME for all matters related to geolocation-based sanctions controls and jurisdictional risk.
• Design and lead the implementation of IP-based controls (e.g., geofencing, access restrictions, monitoring alerts) to detect and prevent interactions with Sanctioned Countries, Embargoed Regions, or Restricted Jurisdictions.
• Oversee the integration of IP geolocation tools (e.g., MaxMind, IPinfo) and blockchain analytics platforms to identify risky access points and user activity patterns.
• Analyze user activity logs to identify mismatches between declared residency and actual location, particularly where exposure to restricted jurisdictions may exist.
• Develop and refine risk-based rules and thresholds for triggering POA (Proof of Address) collection or account review.
• Act as a key contributor during regulatory exams, internal audits, and policy reviews, providing authoritative guidance on geolocation-based sanctions controls.
• Maintain strong knowledge of evolving global sanctions frameworks and proactively assess how geopolitical changes may impact geolocation enforcement strategies.
• Collaborate with stakeholders (Technology, Product, Compliance and Operations) to define and document system requirements, translating business needs into functional and technical specifications for the sanctions screening solution
• Conduct in-depth analysis of screening results to refine parameters, boost system effectiveness, and minimize false positives
• Deliver internal training and develop knowledge materials on best practices related to IP risk, sanctions evasion techniques (e.g., VPNs, proxies), and mitigation strategies.

Requirements

• Minimum 7 years of experience in sanctions compliance, financial crime risk, or regulatory technology, preferably in a financial institution or digital asset firm.
• Comprehensive understanding of global sanctions and financial crime regulations and their application in financial services and how they intersect with digital access and jurisdictional exposure.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, adept at converting business needs into technical solutions.
• Familiarity with tools that detect or mitigate VPN, proxy, or Tor traffic, and an understanding of sanctions evasion methodologies.
• Excellent communication skills, capable of effective engagement with diverse stakeholder groups.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience delivering presentations and guidance to senior stakeholders or regulators.
• Proven ability to translate regulatory requirements into scalable and pragmatic technical solutions.

Good to Have

• Experience in the crypto, fintech, or cross-border payments industry.
• Certifications such as CAMS, CGSS, or Certified Sanctions Specialist (CSS).
• Exposure to blockchain analytics tools (e.g., Chainalysis, TRM Labs, Elliptic).
• Understanding of network security principles as they relate to location detection and fraud prevention.