Global Sanctions Compliance Officer

Global Sanctions Compliance Officer

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

Role

This role focuses exclusively on economic sanctions and embargo (export controls) compliance. Coordination with customs and trade compliance specialists will occur where topics intersect, but the following areas remain outside this position’s scope:

• Customs classification and tariff management
• Import/export documentation and customs declarations
• Rules of origin and preferential trade programs
• Customs audit management and authority interactions

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