Assistant Vice President, Compliance

J. Awan & Partners

Job purpose

Our client is seeking an experienced and highly skilled Assistant Vice President, Compliance to play a pivotal role in ensuring regulatory compliance across all business functions. This includes working closely with stakeholders to streamline compliance processes, automate workflows, and optimize reporting mechanisms while maintaining adherence to UAE regulations, particularly those set by SCA, ADX, DFM, NASDAQ, DFSA & ADGM.

This role is based in Abu Dhabi and requires a candidate with a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience.

Key Responsibilities include:

Regulatory Compliance:

• Monitor compliance with regulations and other applicable laws, ensuring the organization meets all regulatory requirements.
• Proactively track and interpret regulatory updates, advising management on necessary changes or actions.
• Prepare and submit accurate and timely regulatory reports and filings.

Policies and Procedures:

• Draft, update, and enforce compliance policies and procedures tailored to the company's operations.
• Conduct gap analyses to identify deficiencies and recommend enhancements.
• Ensure clear documentation of compliance processes to support audits and regulatory inspections.

Monitoring and Audits:

• Conduct detailed compliance reviews and risk assessments to identify vulnerabilities and inefficiencies.
• Collaborate with internal and external auditors to address compliance-related findings.
• Develop a robust compliance monitoring program, including testing and reviews of internal controls.

Risk Management:

• Oversee the AML/CFT framework, including KYC processes, transaction monitoring, and STR submissions.
• Lead the high-risk client onboarding process, ensuring complete KYC activities and proper documentation.
• Implement tools and strategies to detect and mitigate compliance risks in real-time.
• Provide recommendations to improve risk assessment methodologies and workflows.

Process Automation and Optimization:

• Identify opportunities to automate compliance workflows, including KYC, reporting, and risk assessments.
• Implement compliance technology solutions to enhance process efficiency and accuracy.
• Optimize reporting mechanisms to ensure timely and effective data delivery to internal and external stakeholders.

Workflow Optimization:

• Design and implement process improvements to reduce redundancy and enhance the effectiveness of compliance functions.
• Foster cross-department collaboration to streamline compliance-related tasks.
• Develop dashboards and reporting tools to provide real-time compliance insights to senior management.

Reporting:

Prepare comprehensive compliance reports for senior management and the Board of Directors, highlighting key risks and areas for improvement.

• Monitor and analyze compliance metrics to track progress and effectiveness.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor s degree in Finance, Law, Business Administration, or a related field is essential.
• Minimum of 10 ten years of experience in compliance, preferably within the financial services industry.
• Professional certifications (e.g., CAMS, ICA, or equivalent) are highly preferred.

Competencies and skills required:

Functional

• High level analytical skills.
• In-depth knowledge of SCA and ADGM regulations and UAE markets (ADX, DFM, Nasdaq Dubai).
• Good analytical, judgmental, and interpretative skills.
• Excellent communication skills, fluent in Arabic and English.

Behavioral

• Reliable
• High attention to details
• Teamwork
• Interpersonal skills
• Time management
• Decision making