Head Of International Compliance

Job Description

Group Compliance exists to protect Emirates NBD Group by ensuring that the Bank identifies, assesses, manages and reports Compliance, financial crime, sanctions, conduct and regulatory risks across all applicable jurisdictions. The unit sets Group-wide Compliance standards, provides independent advice and challenge, oversees implementation of regulatory obligations, and ensures that material Compliance risks are escalated to senior management and governance committees in a timely and evidence-based manner.

The unit delivers this mandate by maintaining regulatory obligations registers, setting policies and control standards, advising the business on client, product, transaction and jurisdictional matters, delivering risk-based monitoring and assurance, overseeing key Compliance systems, managing regulatory requests and disclosures, and driving remediation of material Compliance weaknesses. The unit also ensures that international branches and subsidiaries operate within Group Compliance standards, local regulatory requirements and the Bank’s approved risk appetite.

The role provides enterprise-level leadership for International Compliance across Emirates NBD PJSC’s international branches and subsidiaries. The job holder is the key decision maker for Compliance strategy, policy interpretation, advisory direction, oversight standards and risk-based escalation across the international network, operating at a Executive level of strategic accountability, senior stakeholder influence and cross-jurisdictional impact. The role exists to ensure that international entities operate within Group Compliance standards, local regulatory expectations and the Bank’s risk appetite, while enabling sustainable business growth.

• Set the Compliance strategy, governance standards and advisory position for Emirates NBD PJSC’s international branches and subsidiaries, ensuring alignment with Group Compliance priorities, regulatory obligations and business strategy.
• Act as the senior decision maker and escalation point for material International Compliance matters, including regulatory interpretation, policy application, control expectations, remediation priorities and risk acceptance recommendations.
• Provide authoritative Compliance advice to International CEOs, local Compliance Heads, Group business functions and senior management on financial crime, regulatory compliance, conduct and governance matters.
• Analyse management information, regulatory metrics, audit findings, monitoring outcomes, breaches, incidents, remediation status and other risk indicators from international branches and subsidiaries to identify emerging Compliance risks and required interventions.
• Design and maintain a consolidated international Compliance risk assessment framework, including country-level risk ratings, thematic trends, material exposures, control weaknesses and forward-looking risk indicators.
• Drive consistent implementation of Group Compliance policies, standards, systems and reporting disciplines across the international network, while allowing for local regulatory requirements and entity-specific risk profiles.
• Challenge the adequacy of international Compliance resources, capability, governance, controls and remediation execution, and escalate gaps requiring senior management attention.
• Embed a high-performance operating model for International Compliance, with clear ownership, disciplined escalation, measurable outcomes and continuous improvement across the network
  
  

• Define the International Compliance strategy, priorities and operating model for branches and subsidiaries.
• Make or recommend final Compliance positions on material international matters, including policy interpretation, regulatory expectations, control requirements and risk acceptance recommendations. Provide clear strategic advice to International CEOs, local Compliance Heads, Group Compliance leadership and senior governance committees.
• Analyze all relevant metrics from international branches and subsidiaries, including regulatory findings, breaches, audit issues, monitoring outcomes, system alerts, remediation ageing, training completion, resource capacity and control effectiveness.
• Identify emerging Compliance risks, deteriorating control trends, thematic weaknesses and cross-jurisdictional issues requiring senior management action. Maintain a consolidated international Compliance risk rating framework and ensure risk insights drive prioritization, escalation and remediation.
• Determine the Group Compliance advisory position for international matters where local regulation, Group policy, business strategy and control feasibility require senior judgement.
• Challenge local interpretations and require action where controls, governance or execution fall below Group expectations.
• Ensure CBUAE expectations, local regulatory requirements and relevant international standards are embedded in international Compliance frameworks
• Oversee remediation of regulatory, audit, monitoring and self-identified Compliance issues across international branches and subsidiaries.
• Escalate material risks, overdue actions, resource gaps and control failures to the appropriate Group and entity-level governance forums.
  
  

• Minimum 15 years’ senior Compliance, financial crime, regulatory or risk management experience in banking or financial services, including material exposure to regulated international markets.
• Proven experience operating at senior management level, influencing executive stakeholders and making or shaping strategic Compliance decisions with Group-wide or cross-border impact.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing Compliance frameworks, remediation programmes, regulatory engagement, audit issues and risk reporting across branches, subsidiaries or multi-jurisdictional entities.
• Strong people leadership experience, including oversight of senior Compliance professionals and influence over functional teams outside the direct reporting line.
  
  

• Define and implement the International Compliance strategy, priorities, and operating model for branches and subsidiaries.
• Make final compliance decisions on material international matters, including policy interpretation and risk acceptance.
• Provide strategic advice to international CEOs, local compliance heads, and senior governance committees.
• Analyze metrics and identify emerging compliance risks, control weaknesses, and cross-jurisdictional issues.
• Maintain a consolidated international compliance risk rating framework and drive effective remediation.
• Ensure local regulatory requirements and international standards are integrated into compliance frameworks.
• Oversee the remediation of compliance issues across international branches and subsidiaries.
• Escalate material risks and actions to appropriate governance forums at the Group and entity levels.
• Represent Group Compliance at international governance forums and ensure decision tracking.
• Provide functional leadership and challenge to local compliance teams, assessing capability and skill requirements.
  
  

• Extensive experience in international compliance, regulatory affairs, and financial crime prevention.
• Strong understanding of local and international regulatory requirements across multiple jurisdictions.
• Proven ability to interpret and apply complex regulations and policies.
• Excellent strategic thinking and decision-making skills, with a focus on risk management.
• Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence senior executives.
• Analytical mindset with experience in analyzing regulatory metrics and identifying trends.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to provide clear strategic advice.
• Ability to work effectively in a cross-cultural and diverse environment.
• Relevant qualifications in compliance, risk management, or a related field.
• Experience in the financial services industry, particularly in banking, is highly preferred.