Global Sanctions Compliance Officer
Job title: Global Sanctions Compliance Officer
Opella is the self‑care challenger with the purest and third‑largest portfolio in the Over‑The‑Counter (OTC) & Vitamins, Minerals & Supplements (VMS) market globally.
Our mission is to bring health in people's hands by making self‑care as simple as it should be. For half a billion consumers worldwide – and counting.
At the core of this mission is our 100 loved brands, our 11,000‑strong global team, our 13 best‑in‑class manufacturing sites and 4 specialized science and innovation development centers. Headquartered in France, Opella is the proud maker of many of the world's most loved brands, including Allegra, Buscopan, Doliprane, Dulcolax, Enterogermina, Essentiale and Mucosolvan.
As a globally certified B Corp company, we are active players in the journey toward healthier people and planet.
Find out more about our mission at
About the job
We are seeking an experienced Global Sanctions Compliance Officer to develop, implement, and oversee Opella's comprehensive sanctions and trade restrictions compliance program. This individual contributor role ensures adherence to international economic sanctions and embargo regulations across all business operations, including restrictions related to Russia, Belarus, Venezuela, Iran, Syria, Cuba and other sanctioned jurisdictions.
The position requires cross‑functional collaboration with Legal, Finance, Supply Chain, Customs, Digital, Commercial, and other functions to embed effective sanctions and export controls risk management throughout the organization. This role reports to the Global Head of Ethics & Business Integrity (Chief Compliance Officer) within the Legal, Ethics & Business Integrity and Corporate Security and Intelligence function.
The position enables the development of comprehensive expertise spanning all aspects of business integrity and facilitates growth beyond conventional sanctions compliance into broader Ethics & Business Integrity matters.
Main responsibilities
- Program Development & Management
- Design, implement, and continuously enhance the global sanctions compliance program including the Global Sanctions and Trade Compliance Standard, procedures and relevant controls
- Establish and update sanctions risk assessment methodology and risk appetite statements in collaboration with the Risk department
- Regulatory Monitoring & Risk Assessment
- Monitor, analyze and interpret evolving sanctions regimes (US OFAC, EU, UK, UN, and other jurisdictions)
- Conduct comprehensive sanctions risk assessments for customers, suppliers, distributors and third‑party relationships
- Assess business impact of new or amended sanctions regulations and provide strategic recommendations
- Maintain current knowledge of sanctions trends, enforcement actions, and regulatory guidance
- Screening & Transaction Monitoring
- Contribute to the effectiveness of restricted party screening processes and related governance
- Manage escalation procedures for potential sanctions matches and coordinate resolution activities
- Review and approve/reject transactions with sanctions implications
- Establish and maintain export controls monitoring and license determination systems
- Licensing & Regulatory Engagement
- Prepare and submit sanctions and export controls license applications and regulatory authorizations
- Manage license renewals, amendments, and compliance reporting requirements
- Serve as primary point of contact for sanctions inquiries from regulators, financial institutions, and business partners
- Prepare sanctions compliance certifications and representations as required
- Incident Management & Reporting
- Lead sanctions violation investigations and coordinate cross‑functional response efforts
- Determine requirements for Voluntary Self‑Disclosure (VSD) submissions in consultation with General Counsel
- Manage blocked asset reporting and other regulatory notification requirements
- Maintain comprehensive documentation of sanctions compliance activities and decisions
- Training & Advisory Services
- Develop and deliver sanctions compliance training programs for relevant business functions
- Provide real‑time guidance on sanctions risks in commercial transactions and strategic initiatives
- Support due diligence activities for external growth transactions
- Advise senior management on sanctions compliance matters and program effectiveness
- Governance & Continuous Improvement
- Prepare regular compliance reports for senior management and board committees
- Conduct periodic program assessments and implement enhancement initiatives
- Collaborate with internal audit and external advisors on compliance reviews
- Maintain sanctions compliance metrics and key performance indicators
Scope exclusions
- Customs classification and tariff management
- Import/export documentation and customs declarations
- Rules of origin and preferential trade programs
- Customs audit management and authority interactions
About you
- Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Law, International Relations, Business, or related field
- 10+ years of experience in sanctions compliance, export controls, trade compliance
- Prior experience in regulatory affairs or other compliance areas would be considered a plus
- Previous experience in multinational corporations or regulated industries preferred
- Healthcare, pharmaceutical, medical device or consumer goods industry experience is a plus
- Knowledge
- Comprehensive understanding of major sanctions regimes (US, EU, UK, UN) and additional knowledge of others, such as Canada, Switzerland and China, is a plus
- Familiarity with sanctions screening technologies and transaction monitoring systems
- Knowledge of sanctions and export controls licensing processes and regulatory engagement protocols
- Understanding of international trade finance and payment systems
- Fluent in English, other languages is a plus
- Core Competencies
- Strong analytical and risk assessment capabilities
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Proven stakeholder management abilities in matrix organizations
- Project management skills with ability to manage multiple priorities
- Detail‑oriented with strong documentation and record‑keeping practices
- Preferred Qualifications
- Professional certifications (e.g., CAMS, CRCM, or trade compliance certifications)
- Experience with sanctions compliance technology platforms
- Previous regulatory examination or enforcement experience
- Advanced degree in relevant field
Why us?
- All In Together: We keep each other honest and have each other's backs.
- Courageous: We break boundaries and take thoughtful risks with creativity.
- Outcome‑Obsessed: We are personally accountable, driving sustainable impact and results with integrity.
- Radically Simple: We strive to make things simple for us and simple for consumers, as it should be.
Join us on our mission. Health. In your hands.
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