Head of US Sanctions

Job Description

Job Description

About UniTeller

UniTeller Financial Services is a global corporation based in Austin, TX, specialized in cross-border and global payments. We are owned by GF Banorte, one of the largest financial institutions in Mexico and Latin America. We also have subsidiaries in Mexico, Uruguay, Brazil, Argentina, Guatemala, Paraguay, Chile, Canada, and the Philippines, and our payment services originate in all 50 states in the U.S. and are sent to more than 70 countries worldwide.

Role

We are seeking a senior compliance professional to lead UniTeller’s BSA/AML and Sanctions Compliance programs. This leader will be responsible for helping continue to build a sustainable and scalable framework that meets U.S. regulatory expectations.

The role requires both strategic and hands-on leadership: from designing and implementing a standalone OFAC-aligned sanctions program and integrating that program with a Company BSA/AML control, CTR and SAR processes, and Board-level reporting. This position will have direct visibility with Senior Management and the Board of Directors and will serve as a critical point of contact for regulators and auditors for sanctions related matters.

Disclaimer: Hybrid position in Rochelle Park, NJ and Austin, TX

Key Responsibilities

• Program Evaluation & Enhancement
  • Conduct a comprehensive review of the existing BSA/AML and sanctions compliance programs.
  • Expand the BSA/AML risk assessment framework to identify, assess, and mitigate AML and sanctions risks across all lines of business.
  • Help build upon a current sanction program to assist in the development of  a standalone sanctions compliance program, consistent with OFAC’s framework, approved by Senior Management and communicated organization wide.
• Sanctions Compliance Leadership
  • Appoint, train, and manage a dedicated sanctions compliance function, including supporting personnel.
  • Oversee daily sanctions screening of customers, beneficiaries, counterparties, and supply chain participants using automated tools, accounting for aliases and ownership structures.
  • Implement sanctions-specific risk assessments, internal controls, and annual testing/auditing processes.
  • Develop and oversee OFAC-related training tailored to money services businesses and high-risk functions.
  • Establish clear reporting lines to Senior Management and the Board, including routine Board updates on sanctions compliance.
• BSA/AML Compliance Leadership
  • Strengthen CTR reporting processes, including compliance with geographic targeting orders (e.g., $1000 CTR requirement in CA/TX zip codes), segregation of duties, and audit/testing of filing accuracy.
  • Revise and clarify SAR reporting policies to alight with Sanctions requirements, ensuring prompt and accurate filings.
  • Implement additional internal controls and periodic testing for CTR and Sanctions reporting.
• Regulatory & Board Engagement
  • Serve as UniTeller’s primary point of contact with regulators, auditors, and banking partners on sanctions matters.
  • Prepare and deliver comprehensive reports and presentations to regulators, auditors, Senior Management, and the Board of Directors.
• Training & Culture of Compliance
  • Build and deliver annual training programs for sanctions compliance, tailored to UniTeller’s risk profile.
  • Promote a culture of compliance across business units, customer-facing teams, and external gatekeepers.

Licenses / Certifications

• Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) required.
• JD / Active lawyer preferred.

Experience

• 10+ years of direct BSA/AML and sanctions compliance experience, preferably in financial services or money services businesses.
• Demonstrated ability to design and implement sanctions compliance programs consistent with OFAC’s framework.
• Proven experience working with regulators exams, inquiries.
• Strong record of preparing and presenting compliance reports to Boards of Directors and executive management.
• Prior consulting experience is an asset, especially in regulatory exam preparation.
• Proficiency with FCC software (e.g., Verafin, NICE Actimize, Mantas) and MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

General Skills

• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to build, mentor, and lead a compliance team.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to design and implement compliance frameworks.
• Independent decision-making ability with strong problem-solving, risk assessment, and quality control expertise.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, capable of influencing at the executive and Board level.
• Professional demeanor with high ethical standards, sound judgment, and accountability.
• Reliability in meeting deadlines and proactive management of priorities.
• Strong organizational and time management abilities, with a collaborative mindset.
• A good sense of humor, a positive and easygoing attitude, and a proactive, can-do mindset are highly valued.