AML/CTF Sanctions Manager

About HALA

HALA is a fintech company operating across the MENAP region with a mission to reshape financial services and create the next generation banking experience for SMEs. Its goal is to help small and medium businesses launch, operate, and scale by giving them advanced financial and technology solutions.

The company has entities in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, including HALA Payments and HALA Logistics. Through its platform, HALA helps merchants digitize payments while also improving the way they manage sales and day-to-day operations. Established in 2017, the company is licensed by the Saudi Arabian Central Bank.

Role Overview

The AML/CTF Sanctions Manager will own the sanctions function across the business and ensure the organization’s framework, controls, and operating model remain effective, compliant, and aligned with SAMA sanctions expectations as well as recognized international standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Set up, maintain, and continuously strengthen the organization’s sanctions program, covering policies, procedures, controls, governance, and the operating model in line with SAMA sanctions rules and global good practice.
• Shape the sanctions roadmap, annual goals, key performance indicators, and program plan so they match regulatory requirements and the company’s risk profile.
• Track, interpret, and implement all SAMA circulars, directions, and guidance relating to sanctions, targeted financial sanctions, and proliferation financing within the required timelines.
• Carry out sanctions gap assessments against SAMA expectations and international standards, identify weaknesses, and lead remediation efforts with accountable owners and deadlines.
• Manage sanctions screening for onboarding, current customers, transactions, employees, ultimate beneficial owners, and third parties, ensuring lists and data are current and correctly configured in screening tools.
• Lead the handling of sanctions alerts, including potential and confirmed hits, and take final ownership of outcomes, records, and audit-ready documentation.
• Ensure accounts, funds, or transactions are frozen or blocked immediately when sanctions rules require it, and escalate matters to senior leadership as required by SAMA.
• Maintain a central register of freezes and related actions, including release tracking and regulatory correspondence.
• Drive ongoing improvement of sanctions systems and screening tools through better data quality, rule tuning, automation, and reduced false positives while preserving control coverage.
• Serve as the sanctions expert for new products, services, and major changes, advising business, product, and technology teams on risks and necessary controls before launch.
• Build and manage the sanctions team by defining roles, setting goals, developing capabilities, and ensuring proper staffing and succession coverage.
• Prepare regular sanctions and financial crime updates for senior management, including KPIs, trends, regulatory developments, and key risk themes.
• Create and deliver sanctions training and awareness sessions so employees understand obligations, escalation steps, and operational duties.
• Support SAMA inspections, audits, and regulatory reviews related to sanctions, investigate root causes of findings, and maintain full documentation to evidence compliance.
• Act as a senior delegate to the MLRO for sanctions-related discussions with regulators, auditors, and law enforcement authorities when needed.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in Law or a closely related discipline is required.
• Between 5 and 8 years of professional experience in sanctions within regulated financial institutions.
• Strong practical knowledge of targeted financial sanctions frameworks and regulatory expectations.
• Demonstrated experience managing sanctions screening systems and supervising teams.
• Fluency in both Arabic and English is essential.
• Preferred professional certifications include CAMS, CGSS, or an equivalent qualification.

What We Offer

• An inclusive, diverse workplace that supports innovation and flexible work arrangements, including remote, office-based, and hybrid setups.
• Competitive compensation, with the possibility of share-based participation.
• Strong focus on personal growth, including regular training and an annual learning stipend to support career development in a fast-growing environment.
• Exposure to a highly diverse workforce of more than 30 nationalities across 7 countries.
• High levels of autonomy, mentoring, and challenging goals that create meaningful opportunities for both individual and company growth.
• Significant trust and ownership, with the freedom to make decisions and drive the function in the way that best fits the role.

Additional Information

The role is based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and is offered as a full-time remote position.