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Business Oversight Compliance Specialist - VP

Shanghai, China

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Date live: 09/16/2026

Business Area: Compliance

Area of Expertise: Compliance

Contract: Permanent

Reference Code: JR-0000129718

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Barclays Compliance

Compliance is a broad, multidisciplinary function at Barclays that oversees our global business operations. We ensure the bank lives its values, meets regulatory requirements, and follows our codes of conduct. Compliance helps manage financial affairs safely, prevents crime, and eliminates bad practices, acting as guardians for customers, colleagues, assets, shareholders, and reputation. This vital, challenging, and rewarding role protects customers, defends our reputation, and defines our business practices. Without Compliance, Barclays could not operate.

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Essential Skills/Basic Qualifications: 

  • Minimum 3 years holding a similar position and with 8years+ relevant financial crime and Compliance experience in China
  • Qualification – Minimum University degree required
  • Extensive risk, compliance and/or legal experience within financial services.
  • Experience in a compliance role focusing on Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-bribery & Corruption, Sanctions and Anti-Terrorism regulation.
  • Understanding and detailed familiarity with Chinese financial crime related law and regulations.
  • Good knowledge of China regulatory environment for foreign banks
  • Good understanding of products and services offered by China business

Desirable skills/Preferred Qualifications:

  • Effective in a fast-paced, complex environment and across a wide variety of interpersonal styles and approaches. Likewise, comfortable working at all levels of an organization.
  • Hands-on approach, with proven execution/process skills.
  • Organized and focused on delivering results. 
  • Strong communication skill with confidence and ability to manage stakeholders
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team
  • Ability to make sound decisions and respond to issues promptly

Overall purpose of role 

The China MLRO/Country Compliance will report primarily to the Head of Financial Crime, APAC.  Primary responsibilities include:

  • Working closely with the Head of Financial Crime, APAC to ensure that the requirements of Barclays’ Financial Crime Policies and Standards, as well as all local legal and regulatory requirements are satisfied ensuring that all Financial Crime Policies and supporting Standards and Procedures are continuously monitored, evaluated, updated and enforced in a manner that is consistent and adequate given the risk to the enterprise;
  • Developing and maintaining effective reporting and communication routines to achieve enterprise understanding of key financial crime issues;
  • Ensuring that employees receive Financial Crime training in line with their job responsibilities;
  • Assisting the Head of Financial Crime, APAC with monitoring related external events, support Lessons Learned activities and integrate into risk assessment and control development processes;
  • Supporting testing and quality assurance programs alongside existing conformance and audit capabilities to determine the adequacy of existing controls to specifically mitigate financial crime risk; and
  • Working in partnership with the regional and global Financial Crime teams (e.g., AML, Sanctions and ABC Advisory; Intelligence and Investigations; as well as Compliance Assurance).

The China MLRO/Country Compliance will also be part of the China Country Compliance team and the team reports to the Head of Compliance, Shanghai for China Compliance matters. Primary responsibilities will also include managing regulatory updates, submissions and development/ obligations driven by the China regulators and providing local regulatory compliance advisory to businesses and functions in China.

Key Accountabilities 

  • Ensuring appropriate local financial crime controls and procedures are in place to meet local regulatory requirements as well as Barclays policy and standards
  • Managing regulatory and audit inquiries as they relate to Financial Crime matters in China, including coordination with the local Compliance function
  • Providing advice and guidance to the China Business (all legal entities) to ensure that financial crime risk is managed within risk appetite;
  • Interfacing with regional and global counterparts on AML, Sanctions and ABC matters
  • Participating in industry and firm-wide regulatory committees to influence policy creation and ensure that such policies and execution are consistent with the needs of regulators; efficiently and effectively assessing and deciding on process risks and identifying potential control weaknesses;
  • Supporting the Head of Financial Crime, APAC in briefing executives and business leadership on key messages to present when working with regulators.
  • Support rules, regulatory changes and consultations applicable to Barclays, and communicate to relevant parties for implementation
  • Support regulatory requests/ submissions including but not limited to enquires, risk assessment, review and inspections etc.
  • Support Country Compliance coverage, which includes but not limited to entity authorisations, regulatory reports/ obligations, advisory to business and functions on local rules and regulations and global Compliance requirements applicable to China, outsourcing, cross border advisory and conducting trainings etc.
  • Support Country Compliance advisory on business initiatives
  • Support verification checks/ Compliance reviews to identify any risk areas for Shanghai Bank Branch to adhere to the requirements 

The Head of Compliance, Shanghai Branch will manage assigning activities undertaken for China Country Compliance matters.

Stakeholder Management and Leadership  

The China MLRO/Country Compliance will interact with senior business stakeholders in Shanghai as well as Financial Crime/ Compliance and support functions regionally and globally. This role will require an effective communicator who must be a relationship builder, who can establish trust and credibility across these internal stakeholders as well as with regulators and other key external constituents. 

Decision-making and Problem Solving  

This role will be responsible for providing advice to the China business on local regulatory matters as well as internal matters escalated such as customer on boarding queries, new product initiatives, other financial crime and China Country Compliance related matters. The China MLRO/Country Compliance will be expected to act as a trusted advisor to the business but maintain awareness of second line of defence responsibilities to check and challenge matters as they arise. A pragmatic approach is important to this role and the ability to communicate to stakeholders detailed financial crime related regulations, policies and procedures in a clear and concise manner.

The role will also be responsible for coordinating/ driving initiatives and discussion with stakeholders internally to provide Country Compliance advice based on China regulatory requirements. Excellent analytical skill and ability to understand complex compliance issue is required. It is also important to have the ability to take ownership to make sound decision, escalate and respond to issues promptly and appropriately.

Risk and Control Objective  

Ensure that all activities and duties are carried out in full compliance with regulatory requirements, Enterprise Wide Risk Management Framework and internal Barclays Policies and Policy Standards. Take ownership for managing risk and strengthening controls in relation to the work you do.

Barclays welcomes applications from all candidates and is committed to ensuring reasonable adjustments (accommodations) are put in place to allow for a fair and inclusive recruitment process. For more information and how to request one, please review Adjustments to the recruitment process.

We’re a global, vital and highly respected financial organisation with an inspiring Purpose. Operating in 39 countries and employing around 100,000 people across the world, we help communities, individuals and businesses thrive. And we’ve created financial solutions and technology that the world now takes for granted. A career with us can offer incredible variety, depth and breadth of experience, and the chance to learn from some of the best minds in technology and finance.

To find out more about Barclays' strategy please click here.

We are an equal opportunity employer and opposed to discrimination on any grounds. It is the policy of Barclays to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, colour, creed, religion, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by law.

Barclays is required by law to confirm that you have the Legal Right to Work in any role that you apply for. If you currently hold a work visa sponsored by Barclays, or you would require sponsorship from Barclays, you must declare this as part of your application. Sponsored visas are role and entity specific and any changes must be reviewed. It is important that you ensure you are working on the correct visa at all times. Failure to accurately disclose your visa status or Legal Right to Work may result in your application or any employment offer being withdrawn at any time.

This role may be subject to enhanced governance arrangements. If successful, you may be required to comply with additional regulatory and compliance obligations, such as disclosure of personal trading activities and external interest/affiliations.

Further information on these requirements will be provided at a later stage of the process.

Learn more about Barclays locations

Across our campuses, we offer modern workspaces, collaborative areas, and state-of-the-art meeting rooms. Facilities include wellness rooms, on-site cafeterias, fitness centers, and tech-equipped workstations. Designed for innovation and comfort, they support a dynamic and productive work environment.

Gain access to wellness rooms, gyms and mental health support.

Our welcoming and inclusive culture supports you to bring your whole self to work, explore your potential and pursue your passions.

Modern spaces designed for teamwork and brainstorming.

There’s so much more than work to involve and engage you on campus. From socialising to sports, from community events to volunteering.

Learn more about Barclays locations

Across our campuses, we offer modern workspaces, collaborative areas, and state-of-the-art meeting rooms. Facilities include wellness rooms, on-site cafeterias, fitness centers, and tech-equipped workstations. Designed for innovation and comfort, they support a dynamic and productive work environment.

Health and wellness

Gain access to wellness rooms, gyms and mental health support.

A place where you can belong

Our welcoming and inclusive culture supports you to bring your whole self to work, explore your potential and pursue your passions.

Collaborative Areas

Modern spaces designed for teamwork and brainstorming.

More than work

There’s so much more than work to involve and engage you on campus. From socialising to sports, from community events to volunteering.

Multicultural ERGs at Barclays

Be you. Be valued. Belong.

We celebrate the unique perspectives and experiences each individual brings, believing our differences make us stronger and drive success.

You can learn more about our commitment to our colleague on our Inclusion and Opportunities page.

Learn more

Application Process

Your application

We’ll ask for information about you, your CV and cover letter.

1

Your assessment

Covering your behaviours and ability at work.

2

Your interview

Exploring your past experiences and skills.

3

Next step

We’ll request additional information so that you can complete our screening process

4
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Barclays

Working flexibly

We’re committed to providing a supportive and inclusive culture and environment for you to work in. This environment recognises and supports your personal needs, alongside the professional needs of our business. If you'd like to explore flexible working arrangements, please discuss this with the hiring manager. Your request will be reviewed in-line with the requirements of the role/business needs of the team.

Hybrid working

We have a structured approach to hybrid working, where colleagues work at an onsite location on fixed, ‘anchor’, days, as set by the business area. Please discuss the working pattern requirements for the role you are applying for with the hiring manager. Please note that working arrangements may be subject to change on reasonable notice to ensure we meet the needs of our business.

Barclays is built on an international scale.

Our geographic reach, our wide variety of functions, businesses, roles and locations reflect the rich diversity of our worldwide customer base. All of which means we offer incredible variety, depth and breadth of experience.
And the chance to learn from a globally diverse mix of colleagues, including some of the very best minds in banking, finance, technology and business. Throughout, we’ll encourage you to embrace mobility, exploring every part of our operations as you build your career.

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