We are seeking an experienced Transaction (Payment) Screening Senior Manager to lead the 1st Line of Defense (1LOD) function for sanctions screening in payments. The role is responsible for managing and overseeing end-to-end sanctions screening processes, ensuring compliance with global financial crime regulations, and driving operational effectiveness in payment flows. This role will act as the key liaison between business operations, compliance, and technology teams to ensure the effectiveness of transaction screening controls.
The team
The Global Screening team plays a critical role in safeguarding the organization against financial crime, regulatory breaches, and reputational risk. The team ensures that all customers, transactions, and related activities are screened effectively against regulatory, sanctions, and adverse media sources. It comprises specialized functions including Operations for execution and quality control, List Management for maintaining and updating watchlists, Name Screening for identifying high-risk individuals and entities, Transaction Screening for detecting prohibited or suspicious payments, and Adverse Media Screening for monitoring negative public information that may indicate potential risk exposure.
Role and responsibilities
Payments Sanctions Screening Oversight
- Lead and oversee the end-to-end transaction (payment) screening process within the 1LOD, ensuring adherence to sanctions compliance frameworks and regulatory requirements.
- Manage the real-time screening of transactions against sanctions lists (e.g., OFAC, EU, UK, UN, local lists) and ensure appropriate decision-making protocols.
- Ensure timely and accurate disposition of alerts, reducing false positives while maintaining robust risk management.
- Continuously monitor payment screening performance, optimizing rules and logic to balance efficiency and risk mitigation.
Operational Management & Governance
- Develop and implement 1LOD screening policies, procedures, and controls to ensure compliance with regulatory and internal risk requirements.
- Collaborate with Financial Crime Compliance (2LOD) and other stakeholders to ensure screening processes align with the organization’s risk appetite.
- Lead escalation processes for complex or high-risk sanctions alerts and coordinate with 2LOD compliance teams when necessary.
- Ensure audit readiness by maintaining comprehensive documentation, governance records, and reporting mechanisms.
Technology & Continuous Improvement
- Partner with technology and operations teams to optimize screening systems, ensuring effectiveness and efficiency.
- Lead initiatives to enhance sanctions screening technology, including machine learning, automation, and AI-driven solutions.
- Identify gaps in current processes and drive continuous improvements in screening methodologies.
- Provide subject matter expertise on system tuning, list management, and operational workflow enhancements.
Stakeholder Management & Training
- Act as the key liaison between operations, compliance (2LOD), technology, and business units, ensuring alignment on sanctions screening objectives.
- Deliver training and awareness programs to frontline teams on sanctions risk, screening processes, and best practices.
- Represent the 1LOD in internal committees and external regulatory discussions related to sanctions screening and financial crime compliance.
How to succeed
We hire smart people like you for your potential. Our biggest expectation is that you’ll stay curious. Keep learning. Take on responsibility. In return, we’ll back you to develop into an even more awesome version of yourself.
- 10+ years of experience in sanctions screening, transaction monitoring, or financial crime risk management within banking, fintech, or payments industries.
- Deep understanding of sanctions regulations (OFAC, EU, UK, UN, MAS, etc.), financial crime compliance, and transaction screening frameworks.
- Proven experience in managing payment screening operations within a large financial institution, including oversight of alert handling and escalation processes.
- Strong stakeholder management skills, with experience in collaborating across 1LOD, 2LOD, technology, and regulatory bodies.
- Hands-on experience with payment screening tools (e.g., FircoSoft, FIS, Actimize, LexisNexis, or similar).
- Strong data analysis and process optimization skills, with experience leveraging automation and AI-driven solutions to enhance screening efficiency.
- Excellent leadership, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
Preferred Qualifications:
- CAMS, CGSS, ICA or equivalent financial crime certification is highly desirable.
- Experience with Swift, SEPA, CHAPS, ACH, Faster Payments, and cross-border payment screening.
- Familiarity with AI/ML-based sanctions screening enhancements and emerging compliance technologies.
Rewards and benefits
We want to make sure that it’s possible for you to strike the right balance between your career and your private life. Find out more about our employment conditions.
The benefits of working with us at ING include:
● 25-28 vacation days depending on contract
● Pension scheme
● 13th month salary
● 8% Holiday payment
● Hybrid working
● Personal growth and challenging work with endless possibilities
● An informal working environment with innovative colleagues
About us
Curious about how ING empowers people and businesses to move forward? Discover what we do and what we can offer you.
Questions?
Contact the recruiter attached to the advertisement. Want to apply directly? Please upload your CV and motivation letter by clicking the ‘Apply’ button.