Chief Compliance Officer
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Key skills for this role
About the Role
Title: Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) Location: UAE Reporting to: CEO Overview We are supporting a UAE-based bank in the build of a next-generation digital banking platform.
Key Skills for This Role
Full Job Posting
Uae
Reporting to:
Overview
We are supporting a UAE-based bank in the build of a next-generation digital banking platform.
As part of this, we are hiring a Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) to establish and lead the bank’s compliance and financial crime framework from the ground up.
This is a C-suite role, responsible for ensuring the bank operates in full alignment with CBUAE regulations, while enabling a modern, scalable, digital-first operating model.
The CCO will act as a key partner to the CEO and executive team, balancing regulatory integrity with commercial ambition.
Key Responsibilities
- Own and lead the compliance function across the bank, including regulatory compliance, AML/CFT, and financial crime
- Design and implement a best-in-class compliance framework aligned with CBUAE requirements and international standards
- Act as the primary point of contact with regulators, including the Central Bank of the UAE
- Support the licensing, regulatory approvals, and ongoing supervisory engagement
- Build and scale the compliance, AML, and financial crime teams
- Establish policies, procedures, and controls across:
- KYC / onboarding
- Transaction monitoring
- Sanctions screening
- Regulatory reporting
- Partner closely with Product, Technology, and Operations to embed compliance into a digital-first infrastructure
- Provide strategic guidance to the executive team and Board on regulatory risk and governance
- Oversee internal controls, audits, and remediation processes
- Ensure ongoing compliance with evolving UAE regulatory frameworks, including digital banking and Islamic finance considerations
Candidate Profile
- Proven experience as a Chief Compliance Officer, or senior Head of Compliance within a bank or regulated financial institution
- Strong experience working with CBUAE regulations (essential)
- Experience in digital banking, fintech, or transformation environments is highly preferred
- Deep expertise across AML/CFT, financial crime, and regulatory compliance
- Track record of building or scaling compliance frameworks and teams
- Comfortable operating in a 0→1 environment, with the ability to build structure from scratch
- Strong stakeholder management experience, including regulators, executive teams, and Boards
- Degree in Law, Finance, or related field; relevant compliance certifications preferred
Why This Role
- Opportunity to build the compliance function from the ground up within a digital bank
- High-impact, strategic C-suite position
- Direct influence on the regulatory and operational foundation of the bank
- Work alongside a high-calibre leadership team driving transformation
Compensation
- Competitive, market-aligned package reflective of a C-suite role within UAE banking
Applicationn Process
This appointment is being managed on a confidential basis.
Full details of the institution will be shared with shortlisted candidates at the interview stage.
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