VP Compliance - Financial Crime & Regulatory (UAE National)

Role Overview: As the VP Compliance – Financial Crime & Regulatory, you will lead compliance operations for a digital-first bank, focusing on both Financial Crime Compliance and Regulatory Compliance. Reporting directly to the CCO, you will ensure the bank’s activities meet stringent regulatory and anti-financial crime obligations within the UAE’s evolving digital banking landscape.

• Corporate Governance: Oversee all compliance functions to ensure alignment with UAE laws and global best practices for digital banking.
• Financial Crime Compliance: Drive anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing initiatives, including risk assessments, KYC processes, and ongoing customer due diligence.
• Regulatory Engagement: Interface regularly with UAE regulators to maintain open channels of communication, clarify expectations, and manage audits or inspections.
• Policy Development: Develop, implement, and update compliance frameworks, policies, and controls to reflect regulatory changes and business growth.
• Monitoring & Reporting: Oversee monitoring programs to identify, investigate, and report suspicious activity internally and to relevant authorities.
• Team Leadership: Build, develop, and lead teams to execute compliance programs, fostering coordination and ensuring high standards of ethics and integrity throughout the bank.
• Stakeholder Management: Collaborate with internal departments and management to embed compliance into business operations and digital products.

Requirements include deep expertise in anti-money laundering (AML) practices, KYC, and broad regulatory compliance within banking or fintech. Familiarity with UAE digital banking regulatory expectations, fluency in English, and strong policy development skills are essential. Arabic proficiency is beneficial.

Profile description

We are looking for candidates who embody a strong commitment to upholding the highest standards of compliance in a rapidly evolving, digital-first banking environment. The ideal individual is adaptive, forward-thinking, and passionate about safeguarding organizations from financial crime while maintaining rigorous adherence to regulatory frameworks.

• Seasoned Compliance Leader: Possesses over a decade of experience in compliance functions within banking or fintech, with deep expertise in both Financial Crime Compliance and Regulatory Compliance.
• Strategic & Pragmatic: Excels not only in setting strategic direction but also enjoys rolling up their sleeves to drive tangible outcomes and build high-performing teams.
• Digitally Savvy: Understands the nuances and challenges of the digital banking space, and leverages this knowledge to craft innovative, robust compliance strategies.
• Regulatory Navigator: Demonstrates a proven track record of engaging with UAE regulators, fostering mutual trust, and ensuring the organization stays ahead of evolving local and global compliance expectations.
• Integrity-Driven: Champions a strong culture of ethics, accountability, and integrity, acting as a trusted adviser across all levels of the business.
• Skilled Communicator: Communicates complex compliance concepts clearly and persuasively in English; proficiency in Arabic is a valuable plus.
• Collaborative Influencer: Builds effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, influencing policy development and advocating for best practices in AML, KYC, and beyond.

The right candidate will be energized by ambiguity, motivated by purpose, and eager to make a lasting impact on the UAE’s next wave of digital banking innovation.