Sr Director, Senior Managing Counsel, Financial Crimes Legal (Economic Sanctions) - BNY Mellon

Overview

At BNY, our culture empowers you to grow and succeed. As a leading global financial services company at the center of the world’s financial system we touch nearly 20% of the world’s investible assets. Every day around the globe, our 50,000+ employees bring the power of their perspective to the table to create solutions with our clients that benefit businesses, communities and people everywhere.

We continue to be a leader in the industry, awarded as a top home for innovators and for creating an inclusive workplace. Through our unique ideas and talents, together we help make money work for the world. This is what #LifeAtBNY is all about.

The role:

This position requires a highly experienced attorney who will be responsible for advising all locations and businesses of the Firm on economic sanctions matters with particular focus on sanctions administered by OFAC. The position is in the Financial Crimes area of the Legal Department.  As the role serves as the subject matter expert and principal attorney with respect to the Firm’s compliance with applicable sanctions, the position holder is required to work with considerable autonomy, and an experienced subject matter expert is required for the role. 

In this role, you will make an impact in the following ways: 

• Serve as the subject matter expert and principal counsel for sanctions-related legal issues across the Firm including matters which are complex and have significant potential for legal, financial, and reputational impact for the Firm. 
• Serve as the key point of contact in connection with sanctions legal risks and provide legal advice on the requirements of US/OFAC sanctions and, in consultation with local counsel, EU, UK and other relevant sanctions laws, to ensure compliance with those laws.
• In coordination with the Global Sanctions Compliance and other control functions, develop measures to ensure that sanctions risks are identified, managed and where possible mitigated, in all locations and businesses of the Firm and in connection with complex financial products and transactions. 
• Provide legal representation in connection with filings and communications with OFAC and other sanctions-related official bodies including voluntary self-disclosures, license applications, requests for guidance and responses to legal process.
• Provide legal representation on contract issues and on deal-specific sanctions questions, draft necessary documents, and analyses as appropriate.
• Participate in industry fora and initiatives concerning key sanctions issues; work with Government Affairs area in communicating with various official bodies on sanctions developments and emerging issues.
• Establish and/or help implement strategies and initiatives that result in Firm’s implementation of industry leading best practices concerning sanctions matters. 
• Manage engagement of and relationships with external counsel on sanctions issues. 

To be successful in this role, we’re seeking the following: 

• The successful candidate will have at least 11+ years relevant work experience as an attorney and compliance professional focusing on sanctions matters.  Deep technical knowledge in sanctions laws and regulations are essential as is expertise in dealing with OFAC and other official bodies in the major jurisdictions where BNY operates.
• The successful candidate should have experience in and knowledge of sanctions issues occurring in complex transactions and financial products. The successful candidate must be able to communicate clearly and effectively on complex issues with internal stakeholders at all levels of the Firm and the ability to provide sound and concise recommendations to senior leaders is essential. In addition, the successful candidate must be able to advance the Firm’s agenda effectively and confidently with a variety of external stakeholders, including regulatory and enforcement authorities.  
• Proven leadership capability and change agility are essential as is the ability to work effectively with lawyers and businesses across diverse geographies and cultures. The position requires appreciation of choice of law matters and recognition of multi-jurisdictional issues particularly in the areas of data privacy and transmission. 
• A working knowledge of the anti-money laundering and financial crime framework applicable to global financial institutions is desirable as is familiarity with export control restrictions and U.S. anti-boycott requirements.  Some experience in anti-corruption related matters, including the FCPA and the UK Bribery Act, is also advantageous.  
• Prior law firm experience, including transactional experience is helpful. 
• The candidate should be licensed to practice law and a member in good standing of the bar in the jurisdiction where he/she has been based or otherwise in compliance with the internal counsel registration rules of that jurisdiction. 

At BNY, our culture speaks for itself. Here’s a few of our awards: 

• America’s Most Innovative Companies, Fortune, 2024
• World’s Most Admired Companies, Fortune 2024
• Human Rights Campaign Foundation, Corporate Equality Index, 100% score, 2023-2024
• Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion, Disability: IN – 100% score, 2023-2024
• “Most Just Companies”, Just Capital and CNBC, 2024
• Dow Jones Sustainability Indices, Top performing company for Sustainability, 2024
• Bloomberg’s Gender Equality Index (GEI), 2023

Our Benefits and Rewards:

BNY offers highly competitive compensation, benefits, and wellbeing programs rooted in a strong culture of excellence and our pay-for-performance philosophy. We provide access to flexible global resources and tools for your life’s journey. Focus on your health, foster your personal resilience, and reach your financial goals as a valued member of our team, along with generous paid leaves, including paid volunteer time, that can support you and your family through moments that matter. 

BNY is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer - Underrepresented racial and ethnic groups/Females/Individuals with Disabilities/Protected Veterans.

”BNY assesses market data to ensure a competitive compensation package for our employees. The base salary for this position is expected to be between $180K and $300K per year at the commencement of employment. However, base salary if hired will be determined on an individualized basis, including as to experience and market location, and is only part of the BNYM total compensation package, which, depending on the position, may also include commission earnings, discretionary bonuses, short and long-term incentive packages, and company- sponsored benefit programs.

This position is at-will and the Company reserves the right to modify base (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, change in geographic location, Company or individual department/team performance and market factors.”

BNY assesses market data to ensure a competitive compensation package for our employees. The base salary for this position is expected to be between $136,500 and $300,000 per year at the commencement of employment. However, base salary if hired will be determined on an individualized basis, including as to experience and market location, and is only part of the BNYM total compensation package, which, depending on the position, may also include commission earnings, discretionary bonuses, short and long-term incentive packages, and Company-sponsored benefit programs.
This position is at-will and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, change in geographic location, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

Employer Description:

For over 230 years, the people of BNY Mellon have been at the forefront of finance, expanding the financial markets while supporting investors throughout the investment lifecycle. BNY Mellon can act as a single point of contact for clients looking to create, trade, hold, manage, service, distribute or restructure investments and safeguards nearly one-fifth of the world's financial assets. BNY Mellon remains one of the safest, most trusted and admired companies. Every day our employees make their mark by helping clients better manage and service their financial assets around the world. Whether providing financial services for institutions, corporations or individual investors, clients count on the people of BNY Mellon across time zones and in 35 countries and more than 100 markets. It's the collective ambition, innovative thinking and exceptionally focused client service paired with a commitment to doing what is right that continues to set us apart. Make your mark: bnymellon.com/careers.

EEO Statement:

BNY Mellon is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Minorities/Females/Individuals With Disabilities/Protected Veterans. Our ambition is to build the best global team – one that is representative and inclusive of the diverse talent, clients and communities we work with and serve – and to empower our team to do their best work. We support wellbeing and a balanced life, and offer a range of family-friendly, inclusive employment policies and employee forums.