Head of Financial Crime Compliance

Job Title: Group Head of FCC & DMLRO

Location: Dubai

This is a senior leadership position responsible for defining and executing the bank's Financial Crime strategy across the Group, ensuring compliance with UAE Central Bank regulations, FATF standards, and international regulatory expectations.

The successful candidate will act as the Group's subject matter expert across Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Counter Terrorist Financing (CTF), Sanctions, Anti-Bribery & Corruption (ABC), Fraud Risk, and Financial Crime Governance, while serving as the appointed DMLRO and deputy to the Group MLRO.

The role requires an executive capable of balancing regulatory engagement, governance, operational oversight, technology transformation, and strategic leadership across multiple jurisdictions.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Crime Leadership

• Develop and execute the Group Financial Crime Compliance strategy aligned with the bank's risk appetite.
• Lead the Group-wide Financial Crime function covering AML, CTF, Sanctions, Anti-Bribery & Corruption, Fraud Risk and Financial Crime Governance.
• Ensure the Financial Crime framework remains aligned to UAE Central Bank regulations, FATF recommendations and international best practice.
• Provide regular reporting and independent advice to Executive Management, Board Risk Committee and relevant governance committees.

Deputy MLRO Responsibilities

• Act as the appointed Deputy Money Laundering Reporting Officer (DMLRO).
• Deputise for the Group MLRO when required.
• Oversee internal suspicious activity reporting processes.
• Support regulatory reporting obligations including STR/SAR submissions.
• Ensure robust escalation, investigation and reporting frameworks are maintained.

Financial Crime Risk Management

• Lead Enterprise Wide Financial Crime Risk Assessments.
• Oversee Customer Risk Rating methodologies.
• Ensure effective Customer Due Diligence (CDD), Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD), Periodic Reviews and Customer Lifecycle Management.
• Drive continuous enhancement of financial crime controls through risk-based methodologies.

Sanctions & Screening

• Own the Group Sanctions Framework.
• Oversee sanctions governance, screening, filtering and watchlist management.
• Ensure compliance with:
• UAE Local Terrorist List
• UN Sanctions
• OFAC
• UK HMT
• EU Sanctions
• Other applicable international sanctions regimes.