Sanctions Team Lead Operations

About the opportunity

We are looking for a dynamic Sanctions Operations Team Lead to join our AFC Operations Department ensuring best-in-class compliance with financial sanctions regulations and driving operational excellence in sanctions screening and investigations. At N26 we aim to set industry standards in sanctions risk management ensuring a secure and compliant financial ecosystem for our customers stakeholders and regulatory partners. This role is key to achieving that goal.

In this role you will:

As Sanctions Operations Team Lead you will play a critical role in managing sanctions alert handling investigations and regulatory compliance. Reporting to the Senior Manager Sanctions & Excellence Operations you will oversee daily sanctions operations ensuring efficient and effective case handling risk mitigation and adherence to financial sanctions regulations.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading and managing a team of sanctions analysts ensuring high performance quality and engagement.

• Overseeing daily sanctions operations including screening alerts transaction monitoring and escalation management.

• Ensuring timely and accurate handling of sanctions alerts

• Monitoring sanctions trends emerging regulatory updates and evolving risks leveraging data-driven insights to optimize alert-handling strategies.

• Implementing process improvements and automation initiatives to enhance sanctions screening efficiency and reduce manual workload.

• Collaborating with internal stakeholders including Sanctions Compliance Legal and PTX to improve screening methodologies and case-handling procedures.

• Supporting regulatory compliance and reporting requirements working closely with Sanctions Compliance Lead and MLROs to ensure adherence to financial sanctions regulations.

• Ensuring sanctions processes are audit-ready supporting external regulatory reviews and internal risk assessments.

• Developing and tracking key sanctions KPIs and operational metrics driving excellence in sanctions risk management.

• Promoting a culture of sanctions awareness ensuring compliance remains a strategic focus across the organization.

• Support the development of practical Work Instructions to ensure processes are streamlined well-documented and clearly understood by team members.

What you need to be successful:

Background

• 3 years of experience in sanctions operations financial crime investigations or compliance risk management.

• Proven leadership and team management experience with a strong ability to coach and develop team members.

• Strong understanding of sanctions screening alert handling and transaction monitoring methodologies.

• Experience working with sanctions screening tools automation solutions and risk mitigation strategies.

• Knowledge of global and local sanctions regulations

• Bachelors degree in business finance law or a related field (preferred but not essential).

• Proficiency in Google Suite tools for analysis and reporting.
  

Skills

• Detail-oriented analytical and proactive with a strong risk-based approach.

• Hands-on mentality with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong ability to collaborate cross-functionally with Sanctions Compliance Legal and Data/Product teams.

• Ability to drive process improvements automate workflows and enhance sanctions screening efficiency.

• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills capable of engaging with internal teams and external partners.

• Fluency in English is required (additional languages such as Spanish Italian German French Russian or Arabic are a plus).

Traits

• Empower and develop others Actively support your teams growth by providing coaching mentorship and opportunities for skill development.

• Foster a culture of continuous improvement Challenge the status quo and drive innovation by encouraging new ideas and optimizing team workflows.

• Think strategically act decisively Balance a high-level vision with hands-on execution ensuring that global compliance goals align with local operational realities.

• Lead with action and accountability Take initiative make informed decisions and ensure follow-through on key objectives setting the standard for execution.

• Promote a feedback-driven culture Provide open constructive and timely feedback while fostering a psychologically safe environment where team members feel empowered to share their perspectives.

• Lead with integrity and compliance Set an example by adhering to internal escalation protocols and regulatory obligations ensuring your team follows best practices.
  

Whats in it for you:

• Accelerate your career growth by joining one of Europes most talked about disruptors .

• Employee benefits that range from a competitive personal development budget work from home budget discounts to fitness & wellness memberships language apps and public transportation.

• As an N26 employee you will have access to a Premium subscription on your personal N26 bank account. As well as subscriptions for friends and family members.

• Vacation days vary depending on your location of work. Additional day of annual leave for each year of service.

• A high degree of autonomy and access to cutting edge technologies - all while working with a friendly team of peers of diverse nationalities life experiences and family statuses.

• A relocation package with visa support for those who need it.

Who we are

N26 has reimagined banking for todays digital world. Technology and design empower everything we do and its how we are building the global banking platform the world loves to use.

Weve eliminated physical branches paperwork and hidden fees for an elegant digital experience and supreme savings. Giving people the power to live and bank their way is what gets us out of bed in the morning and inspires the work that we do.

We are headquartered in Berlin with offices in multiple cities across Europe including Vienna and Barcelona and a 1500-strong team of more than 80 nationalities.

Sound good Apply now for this position.

N26 is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race religion color national origin gender sexual orientation age marital status or disability status.