Director, APAC Head of Sanctions

We are seeking an experienced and highly credible Director, APAC Head of Sanctions to lead the regional sanctions compliance framework across APAC. This role is located in Singapore.

This is a senior leadership role responsible for shaping and executing sanctions strategy, strengthening the control environment, and providing trusted advice to business, compliance, and executive stakeholders on complex regulatory and policy requirements.

The successful candidate will bring deep sanctions expertise, strong regulatory judgment, and the ability to influence senior stakeholders across a complex organisation. This individual will lead the ongoing enhancement of sanctions governance, risk assessment, reporting, training, and issue remediation, while ensuring the business remains aligned with evolving legal, regulatory, and policy expectations across the region.  He/she will be responsible for managing the regional Sanctions organization.

In this role, you’ll make an impact in the following ways: 

• Lead the development and execution of the APAC sanctions compliance strategy, ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements, internal policies, and business objectives.
• Serve as the senior sanctions advisor to business leaders, compliance partners, and control functions across APAC.
• Interpret and assess complex sanctions laws, regulations, regulatory announcements, and industry developments, translating them into clear and effective business guidance.
• Drive the design, implementation, and enhancement of sanctions controls, ensuring they remain effective, proportionate, and responsive to emerging risks.
• Oversee sanctions risk assessments, control reviews, and gap analyses, and provide clear recommendations to strengthen the control environment.
• Partner with senior business and functional stakeholders to develop practical remediation plans and ensure timely resolution of identified issues.
• Lead sanctions-related governance, metrics, and reporting, including the development and monitoring of key risk indicators and escalation of material issues to senior management.
• Provide oversight and challenge on sanctions-related business initiatives, control changes, and new or evolving activities to ensure compliance risks are appropriately identified and managed.
• Maintain strong working relationships with regulators, government authorities, and internal stakeholders to support effective regulatory engagement and timely delivery of information.
• Lead or oversee sanctions training and awareness initiatives to enhance understanding of sanctions obligations and promote a strong culture of compliance across the region.
• Support internal reviews, regulatory examinations, audits, and other assurance activities relating to sanctions compliance.
• Drive continuous improvement through projects and programmes designed to enhance sanctions controls, governance, monitoring, and risk mitigation practices.
• Manage the APAC Sanctions Team.  Mentor and develop team members, providing leadership, direction, and subject matter expertise to strengthen regional sanctions capability.

To be successful in this role, we’re seeking the following: 

• 10+ years experience in sanctions compliance within financial services, ideally with regional or global responsibilities.
• Deep knowledge of sanctions laws, regulations, and regulatory expectations relevant to APAC, with the ability to interpret and apply requirements in a complex business environment.
• Strong understanding of compliance risk management, control design, governance frameworks, and issue remediation.
• Proven ability to engage credibly and influence senior business leaders, regulators, and cross-functional partners.
• Experience leading complex regulatory or compliance initiatives, including the development of reporting, risk indicators, and management information.
• Demonstrated capability in assessing control effectiveness, identifying gaps, and driving sustainable improvements.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex issues clearly and persuasively to senior audiences.
• Experience leading, coaching, and developing high-performing teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience required.
• Degree in Business, Finance, Law, or a related discipline preferred.
• Extensive relevant experience in financial services compliance, audit, risk, or sanctions advisory.
• Professional certifications or specialist sanctions qualifications are advantageous.

Key Attributes

• Strong leadership presence and sound judgment.
• Commercially aware, pragmatic, and solutions-oriented.
• High integrity and resilience in a fast-paced, highly regulated environment.
• Able to balance strategic thinking with strong execution and attention to detail.
• Collaborative style with the confidence to challenge constructively.