AML & KYC Lead

About the Role

Madison Pearl is collaborating with a prominent UAE-based Bank to recruit an AML & KYC Lead who will be integral to their Compliance division located in Abu Dhabi. The role reports directly to the Head of AML and plays a critical part in managing the bank's Financial Crime Compliance efforts.

Key Objectives and Responsibilities

• Lead the formulation, implementation, and ongoing improvement of anti-money laundering (AML), counter-financing of terrorism (CFT) policies, procedures, and the governance framework within the bank.
• Manage onboarding processes including Know Your Customer (KYC), Customer Due Diligence (CDD), Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD), and conduct regular customer account reviews.
• Perform AML and CFT gap analyses and spearhead corrective actions to maintain full compliance with UAE Central Bank regulations and international AML standards.
• Conduct financial crime typology assessments to identify emerging risks and develop compliance monitoring and control measures accordingly.
• Oversee enterprise-wide AML/CFT risk assessments and create strategies to mitigate evolving financial crime risks.
• Supervise transaction monitoring activities, sanctions screening, investigations, and the processing of Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs).
• Assist with deploying and refining AML systems, data analytics solutions, automated processes, and case management platforms.
• Collaborate closely with internal functions such as Compliance, Risk, Operations, IT, and Internal Audit to enhance the bank's financial crime controls.
• Design and conduct comprehensive AML, KYC, and CFT training sessions to foster a robust compliance culture across the institution.

Qualifications and Experience

• A bachelor's degree in Finance, Law, Risk Management, or a related field is required.
• Preferably holds CAMS, ICA, or equivalent AML certification.
• 8 to 12 or more years of experience in AML, KYC, Financial Crime Compliance, or Financial Crime Risk management within the banking industry.
• In-depth understanding of UAE AML/CFT regulations, FATF guidelines, and regulator expectations.
• Demonstrated expertise in AML gap analysis, financial crime pattern analysis, transaction monitoring, sanctions compliance, and risk-based customer due diligence.
• Proven capability in leading compliance remediation efforts, policy enhancement, and improving control frameworks.
• Outstanding analytical capabilities, leadership qualities, communication skills, and stakeholder engagement experience.