Compliance Manager

Overview

A reputed, confidential bank / regulated financial institution in Dubai is seeking a Compliance Manager to oversee and strengthen their compliance function. This role encompasses regulatory compliance, financial crime controls, governance of policies, monitoring compliance activities, providing advisory services to stakeholders, managing reporting, and ensuring readiness for audits and regulatory reviews.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in implementing and improving the organization's compliance framework, including policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Advise business and operations teams on regulatory obligations, internal policies, and expected controls.
• Manage compliance areas such as KYC/CDD/EDD, AML, sanctions screening, transaction monitoring, conduct risk, and other regulatory compliance facets.
• Lead or participate in compliance monitoring and testing, including sample reviews, identifying issues, and tracking remediation progress.
• Handle complex compliance issues, escalations, exceptions, and higher-risk cases with appropriate documentation and ensure timely resolution.
• Manage regulatory change processes by monitoring updates, evaluating their impact, and coordinating necessary actions.
• Compile management information reports on compliance risks, outstanding actions, breaches, monitoring results, and remediation status.
• Collaborate with risk, internal audit, legal, operations, product, and business teams to enhance the overall control environment.
• Support internal and external audits plus regulatory inspections by preparing evidence and managing response actions.
• Mentor junior team members and contribute to compliance-related training, awareness initiatives, standard operating procedures, checklists, and process enhancements.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, Law, Risk, Economics, or a related discipline.
• Between 6 and 10 years’ experience in compliance or related functions such as regulatory compliance, AML/financial crime compliance, compliance monitoring, risk, or internal controls.
• Preferably experienced in banking, fintech, payments, insurance, wealth management, or other regulated financial services sectors.
• Strong expertise in compliance governance, applying risk-based methodologies, controls, compliance monitoring, and documentation standards in line with regulatory requirements.
• Proficient in managing escalations, remediation workflows, stakeholder consultation, and preparing management reports.
• Excellent leadership qualities, stakeholder engagement skills, and strong written and verbal communication in English (Arabic language skills are a plus).

Desirable Additional Experience

• Familiarity with UAE regulatory frameworks and regulated financial service environments.
• Experience with AML/KYC controls, compliance monitoring programs, regulatory change management, conduct risk management, and control testing.
• Hands-on knowledge of compliance tools, case management software, screening platforms, or Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) solutions.
• Relevant certifications or working towards certifications such as ICA, CAMS, CFE, CIA, CRCM, or equivalents.
• Previous involvement in leading junior staff or managing compliance work groups is advantageous.

Additional Information

This position is full-time and based onsite in Dubai. Candidates should include their notice period, current location, and UAE work authorization/visa status when applying. The recruitment process is equal opportunity and prioritizes candidates based on skills, experience, and potential.