Head of Investigations & Sanctions

Description de poste

For one of our clients, a leading private banking institution based in Geneva, we are looking for a:

HEAD OF INVESTIGATIONS, TRANSACTION MONITORING & SANCTIONS

Job description

• Lead the Investigations, Transaction Monitoring and Sanctions function within the Swiss Compliance framework, managing a team of approximately 10 FTEs.
• Oversee AML investigations related to suspected money laundering, unusual or high-risk transactions, and complex client structures.
• Ensure high-quality review, validation and decision-making on AML cases in coordination with senior Compliance management.
• Manage transaction monitoring activities, including alert allocation, prioritisation, escalation, and investigation workflows.
• Supervise the sanctions advisory and investigation activities, including blocked accounts and sensitive sanctions-related matters.
• Oversee name screening and transaction filtering systems and ensure their effective operation.
• Ensure timely and high-quality filing of Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) and appropriate reporting to Swiss governance bodies.
• Perform post-SAR analyses and identify trends, weaknesses and opportunities for control enhancements.
• Coordinate responses to Swiss judicial requests in collaboration with the Legal department.
• Review and adapt transaction monitoring scenarios on a risk-based approach.
• Proactively manage team resources to address backlogs and ensure operational continuity.
• Foster close collaboration across Compliance teams to enhance efficiency and consistency.
• Act as a subject-matter expert on AML and sanctions topics at Swiss and Group levels.
• Produce management information and dashboards, including periodic AML reporting.
• Contribute to AML and sanctions training initiatives for Swiss and Group stakeholders.
• Participate in Group-wide AML transformation and policy enhancement projects.

Required profile

• Minimum 10 years of experience in AML investigations, transaction monitoring and SAR reporting within a Swiss private banking environment.
• Master’s degree in Law, Economics or a related field.
• CAS Compliance or equivalent qualification required.
• In-depth knowledge of Swiss regulatory requirements (AMLA, FINMA ordinances, CDB).
• Proven experience managing teams and handling complex, high-risk cases.
• Strong analytical, organisational and IT skills, including experience with goAML.
• Fluent in English and French (written and spoken).
• Swiss residency required.

All files will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.