This is a senior hands-on leadership role responsible for ensuring the resilience, performance, and evolution of the company's compliance systems. The role holder leads a team of domain experts to deliver stable day-to-day technical support for the bank’s compliance operations, drive continuous improvement, and execute critical regulatory and strategic change. The role encompasses end-to-end technology ownership of the Anti-Money Laundering technology eco-system and will be accountable for ensuring the platform is resilient, secure, scalable, and fit for purpose to detect and prevent financial crime. The role is a blend of technical expertise in data and systems with a deep understanding of UAE and international AML/CFT regulations.
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Key Accountabilities
- Strategic Leadership: Shape and own the company's AML system technology strategy in line with the bank's overall Technology Strategy. Bring emerging technology practices to the company's AML system team to drive efficiency, particularly using AI to increase detection sophistication and reduce manual alert effort.
- Service and Resilience: Responsible for maintaining system performance against agreed SLA’s and customer expectations (24*7 – 365). Lead the management, configuration, and optimization of AML monitoring systems to effectively identify unusual transaction patterns and potential financial crime.
- Change and Delivery: Deliver critical regulatory and strategic projects under tight deadlines, ensuring compliance with target architecture, security standards, and best practices. Manage change across the full SDLC lifecycle (requirements, design, testing, deployment, post-go-live).
Requirements
- 7-10+ years of experience in banking IT or financial crime compliance, with significant experience specifically in AML systems.
- Expertise in AML software (SAS AML), data analysis tools, SQL, and potentially cloud environments (AWS/Azure).
- In-depth knowledge of local UAE AML/CFT laws, CBUAE regulations, and international standards (e.g., FATF, OFAC).
- Professional certifications such as CAMS (Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist) or ICA (International Compliance Association) are highly preferred.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, leadership, and communication skills to effectively bridge the gap between technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- A Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Computer Science, or a related field.
