Senior Governance, Risk & Compliance Officer

About the Role

We are seeking a Senior Governance, Risk & Compliance Officer based in the United Arab Emirates to lead and enhance our GRC framework. The ideal candidate will have 5–8 years of experience in financial services compliance, strong technical expertise in AML/CFT, KYC/CDD and sanctions screening, and proven ability to engage stakeholders, deliver training and produce high-quality compliance reports.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement and maintain a comprehensive governance, risk and compliance framework
• Conduct regular compliance monitoring, internal audits and risk assessments
• Oversee AML/CFT program, including transaction monitoring and suspicious activity reporting
• Perform KYC/CDD reviews and sanctions screening on clients and transactions
• Liaise with UAE regulatory bodies and ensure timely submission of regulatory returns
• Collaborate with business units to interpret and apply regulatory requirements
• Prepare and present detailed compliance and risk reports to senior management and regulators
• Develop and deliver training programs on compliance, AML/CFT and risk management
• Manage relationships with regulators, auditors and internal stakeholders
• Monitor emerging regulatory changes and implement mitigation strategies

Required Qualifications

• 5–8 years of governance, risk and compliance experience in financial services
• Proven expertise in compliance monitoring, regulatory compliance, AML/CFT, KYC/CDD and sanctions screening
• Strong stakeholder management and interpersonal skills
• Excellent report writing and analytical abilities
• Experience delivering compliance and risk training sessions
• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Law, Business Administration or related field
• Deep knowledge of UAE regulatory environment and local licensing requirements
• Fluency in English;
• Arabic language skills preferred

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) or equivalent AML certification
• Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional (CCEP) or similar
• Master’s degree in a relevant discipline
• Experience in banking or financial services within the UAE/GCC region
• Familiarity with ISO/IEC 27001 and other international standards
• Proficiency in Arabic