Senior Compliance Specialist

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀

𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲: 𝗥𝘀 𝟱𝟬𝟬𝟬𝟬𝟬 - 𝗥𝘀 𝟱𝟬𝟬𝟬𝟬𝟬𝟬 (𝗶𝗲 𝗜𝗡𝗥 𝟱-𝟱𝟬 𝗟𝗣𝗔)

Experience: 5+ yrs

Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Job Type: Full-time

We are looking for an experienced Assistant Manager – Regulatory Compliance & Financial Crime Compliance to support the regulatory compliance and financial crime risk management framework of a regulated financial institution. This role operates within the Second Line of Defence, providing compliance oversight, regulatory guidance, monitoring, and risk management support.

The position has two equally important areas of focus: Regulatory Compliance (50%) and Financial Crime Compliance (50%), covering Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Counter-Terrorist Financing (CFT), sanctions, and Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements.

The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of UAE financial regulations, sound analytical and investigative capabilities, and the ability to translate regulatory requirements into practical controls and effective compliance processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the implementation and maintenance of the Regulatory Compliance Framework in line with applicable FSRA, ADGM, and UAE regulatory requirements.
• Provide compliance guidance to business, Operations, and support functions on regulatory obligations, new products, business initiatives, and outsourcing arrangements.
• Monitor regulatory developments and coordinate impact assessments, policy updates, and implementation of required changes.
• Conduct compliance monitoring reviews, thematic assessments, and control testing in accordance with the Compliance Monitoring Programme.
• Track audit findings, regulatory observations, and remediation actions to ensure timely closure.
• Prepare compliance reports, regulatory submissions, committee materials, and management updates.
• Draft and maintain compliance policies, procedures, governance documents, and control frameworks.
• Support regulatory inspections, information requests, and internal and external audit reviews.
• Review customer onboarding, periodic reviews, and event-driven KYC cases, including customer risk assessments, beneficial ownership structures, and Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD).
• Investigate sanctions screening alerts, document findings, escalate potential matches, and support sanctions risk assessments.
• Review transaction monitoring alerts, investigate unusual activity, document conclusions, and escalate suspicious cases to the MLRO.
• Assist with suspicious activity investigations, supporting documentation, internal escalations, and applicable reporting timelines.
• Contribute to enterprise-wide financial crime risk assessments and monitor emerging AML, CFT, sanctions, fraud, and other financial crime risks.
• Maintain and enhance AML/CFT, sanctions, customer due diligence, and transaction monitoring policies and procedures.
• Prepare financial crime management information and analyse trends across KYC reviews, transaction monitoring alerts, sanctions alerts, and suspicious transaction reporting.
• Support compliance awareness initiatives and promote regulatory accountability across the organisation.

What Makes You a Great Fit

• 5+ years of relevant experience in regulatory compliance, financial crime compliance, AML/CFT, risk, or compliance operations within banking, financial services, fintech, or another regulated institution.
• Practical experience across both Regulatory Compliance and Financial Crime Compliance.
• Strong knowledge of FSRA regulations, ADGM requirements, UAE AML/CFT legislation, and sanctions frameworks.
• Understanding of FATF Recommendations and international financial crime compliance standards.
• Experience with KYC, Customer Due Diligence (CDD), EDD, sanctions screening, transaction monitoring, and suspicious activity investigations.
• Familiarity with regulatory change management, compliance monitoring, control testing, audit coordination, and regulatory reporting.
• Experience supporting corporate, institutional, and high-risk customer relationships.
• Strong analytical, investigative, and problem-solving skills, with excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to interpret regulations and translate requirements into practical policies, procedures, and controls.
• Excellent report-writing, documentation, communication, and stakeholder-management skills.
• Ability to exercise independent judgement, challenge constructively, and escalate issues appropriately.
• Proficiency in compliance monitoring, case management, and financial crime systems.
• A bachelor’s degree in Law, Finance, Business Administration, Accounting, Risk Management, or a related discipline.
• Professional qualifications such as ICA Diploma in Compliance, ICA Diploma in AML, ACAMS, or equivalent certifications are preferred.