Sanctions Data Integration and Analytics Manager

This senior position will lead a team that owns both data integration into sanctions screening platforms and the analytical oversight of screening performance and upstream data quality within the Enterprise Financial Crimes Compliance (EFCC) Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). The manager will serve as a subject-matter expert on sanctions screening tools (e.g., LexisNexis Bridger Insight XG and Fircosoft Continuity), defend statistical methodologies used for quality control and performance monitoring, and represent the FIU with senior leadership, Corporate Audit Services, Model Risk Management, technology partners, and regulators. The role also partners closely with the FIU Integration Team and product stakeholders, contributing to requirements, user stories, testing design, and change management for system implementations and upgrades, while advocating for business users and maintaining clear, professional documentation. The individual should be technologically confident and familiar with model risk management principles.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Represent the interests of the FIU in collaborative decision-making regarding sanctions strategic application direction, prioritization, timelines, roles/resourcing, and cross-functional governance.

• Serve as subject-matter expert on sanctions screening platforms (e.g., Bridger Insight XG, Fircosoft Continuity), with an in-depth understanding of matching logic, filter behavior, strengths/limitations, and operational implications.

• Lead data integration work for sanctions screening: requirements gathering/documentation, business acceptance testing, backlog management, and system administration, ensuring consistency with parallel integrations (e.g., Actimize) and enterprise standards.

• Build and oversee programs for sanctions data quality analysis (DQA), threshold/algorithm testing, and ongoing performance monitoring and reporting across screening systems and targeted monitoring programs.

• Develop (and defend) statistical methodologies to support oversight and effective challenge, including documentation suitable for Model Risk Management and internal/external review.

• Create and maintain professional program/reporting documentation supporting sanctions screening and customer screening processes; provide timely responses to ad-hoc data requests, with urgency for high-priority issues.

• Partner with product and technology teams using Agile practices: write user stories (e.g., in Jira), design test cases, validate criteria with stakeholders, and support system implementations/upgrades.

• Demonstrate professional presentation and communication skills for senior leadership, auditors, regulators, and business partners; effectively troubleshoot issues and manage competing priorities.

• Manage communication and responses to internal audit, validation, and outside government agency partners in explaining modeling processes supporting sanctions functions.

• Lead efforts to thoroughly satisfy and document all programmatic efforts to ensure that U.S. Bank meets OCC 2011-12 expectations and internal Model Validation standards.

• Collaborate with Risk and Business Line partners to evaluate the risks of new products, services, and portfolios, and design risk-based transaction monitoring solutions.

• Ensure the team is working continually to implement new processes or techniques to improve programs to be as efficient as possible while effectively mitigating risk.

• Explore ML/AI techniques to enhance process efficiency.

Preferred Skills/Experience

- 7–10 years supporting compliance/risk initiatives in a large, complex, highly regulated financial institution (or relevant risk/compliance experience)

- Proficiency with SAS and/or SQL and handling large datasets for analysis, testing, and reporting

- Strong analytical, research, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills with sound judgment and urgency on high-priority matters

- Effective and professional interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills; ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines

Educational Background and Experience:

• Post‑graduate degree (e.g., statistics, data science, analytics, economics, information systems, or related)

• 10 or more years of relevant experience in an AML/BSA analytical environment

• Knowledge of financial services environment and banking products, policies, operations, and applicable procedures

Technical Skills:

• Subject matter expertise and significant development experience using SQL, SAS, Python or R

• Working knowledge of LexisNexis Bridger Insight XG, Fircosoft Continuity, and Actimize SAM; familiarity with other relevant enterprise systems

• Experience working in Agile/product environments (e.g., creating Jira stories, test case design, user advocacy) and partnering through system implementations

• Advanced data compilation, programming skills and qualitative analysis skills

• Experience with cloud-based tools and infrastructure (Azure or AWS)

• Hands-on experience with generative AI and a working knowledge of its applications

Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills:

• Experience in statistics, numerical methods, optimization, and operations combined with extensive experience within the financial services sector

• Ability to lead complex analyses and formulate practical solutions; exceptional problem-solving skills

• In-depth understanding of data lineage concepts

• Skilled in detecting, remediating, and preventing data quality issues

Communication and Presentation Skills:

• Expert level experience in presenting confidently to senior executives and regulators

• Experience working with internal audit or outside examiners explaining models/processes that support sanctions functions; ability to explain complex items in a straightforward manner

• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills; prioritizes relationship development and ability to create an inviting, supportive working environment

Leadership and Management Skills:

• Demonstrated ability in managing a team of employees in quantitative/analytical development and technological areas

• Organizational and time-management skills; ability to deliver day-to-day commitments and complex projects on time and within budget

Regulatory Knowledge:

• Knowledge of federal economic sanctions regulations and the global sanctions regime; experience supporting OFAC compliance initiatives

• Knowledge of OCC and FRB standards associated with model development and validation, including data quality expectations

Judgment and Decision-Making:

• Strong analytical and research skills, and use of good judgment in decision making and sense of urgency for high priority issues

• Demonstrated ability to determine innovative solutions to mitigate risk while supporting business growth

The role offers a hybrid/flexible schedule, which means there's an in-office expectation of 3 or more days per week and the flexibility to work outside the office location for the other days.