Sanctions Escalations - Senior Associate

Location: BOURNEMOUTH, DORSET, United Kingdom

Job Family: Payments Lifecycle

About the Role

At JP Morgan Chase, we are at the forefront of transforming the financial services landscape, and our Payments Lifecycle team in Bournemouth is pivotal to this mission. As a Sanctions Escalations Senior Associate, you will play a crucial role in safeguarding our global payment operations against sanctions risks. This position involves reviewing escalated alerts from automated screening systems, conducting in-depth investigations into potential violations, and ensuring adherence to international regulations such as OFAC, UN, and UK frameworks. Your work will directly contribute to the efficiency and integrity of cross-border transactions, preventing financial crime while supporting innovative payment solutions that serve millions of clients worldwide. Based in our Bournemouth office, you will collaborate with compliance experts, legal teams, and technology partners to drive operational excellence in a dynamic, high-volume environment. In this senior role, you will handle complex escalations that require nuanced judgment and regulatory expertise, analyzing transaction patterns to mitigate risks and reduce false positives through process enhancements. You will prepare comprehensive reports for internal audits and external regulators, while also contributing to the continuous improvement of our sanctions compliance programs. Innovation is key at JP Morgan Chase; you will leverage data analytics and emerging technologies to revolutionize how we manage payment risks, ensuring our operations remain agile and compliant amid evolving global threats. This position offers the opportunity to influence strategic initiatives that enhance the security and speed of payments for corporate and institutional clients. Joining JP Morgan Chase means becoming part of a world-class institution committed to fostering a culture of inclusion, professional growth, and impact. We provide robust support for your development, including access to cutting-edge tools and mentorship from industry leaders. If you are passionate about financial compliance and excited to innovate in payments operations, this role in Bournemouth offers a rewarding path to advance your career while contributing to the broader mission of making a positive difference in the financial world.

Key Responsibilities

• Review and escalate complex sanctions alerts from payment screening systems, ensuring compliance with global regulatory requirements
• Conduct thorough investigations into potential sanctions violations, collaborating with legal, compliance, and business teams at JP Morgan Chase
• Analyze transaction data to identify patterns of risk and recommend process improvements for payment lifecycle efficiency
• Prepare detailed reports and documentation for regulatory filings and internal audits related to sanctions escalations
• Drive innovation in operations by implementing automation tools to streamline alert triage and reduce false positives
• Monitor emerging sanctions regulations and advise on their impact to JP Morgan Chase's payments operations
• Provide training and guidance to junior associates on sanctions procedures and best practices
• Liaise with external stakeholders, including regulators and counterparties, to resolve escalation issues
• Contribute to the development of risk assessment frameworks for high-risk payment jurisdictions

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business Administration, Law, or a related field
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in sanctions compliance, financial crime prevention, or regulatory operations within the financial services industry
• Strong knowledge of international sanctions regulations, including OFAC, UN, EU, and UK sanctions frameworks
• Proven experience in handling escalations and investigations related to payment screening and transaction monitoring
• Familiarity with AML (Anti-Money Laundering) and KYC (Know Your Customer) processes in a banking environment
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-volume operations setting with attention to detail and accuracy

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced certification such as CAMS (Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist) or equivalent
• Experience in payment processing systems and tools used at JP Morgan Chase, such as SWIFT or internal screening platforms
• Prior exposure to cross-border payments and trade finance operations
• Knowledge of data analytics tools for compliance reporting and trend analysis

Required Skills

• Expertise in sanctions compliance and regulatory frameworks
• Proficiency in data analysis and investigation techniques
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy in high-pressure environments
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal
• Knowledge of payment processing and transaction monitoring systems
• Ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and compliance software tools
• Understanding of financial crime risks in global payments
• Time management and prioritization skills for handling escalations
• Adaptability to evolving regulatory landscapes
• Interpersonal skills for stakeholder engagement
• Basic programming knowledge in SQL for data querying (preferred technical skill)

Benefits

• Competitive base salary and performance-based annual bonuses
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance coverage
• Generous pension contributions and retirement savings plans
• Paid time off including annual leave, sick days, and flexible working arrangements
• Professional development opportunities through JP Morgan's internal training programs and tuition reimbursement
• Employee stock purchase plans and financial wellness resources
• On-site fitness facilities and wellness programs at the Bournemouth office
• Parental leave and family support benefits

JP Morgan Chase is an equal opportunity employer.