Chief Compliance Officer

About the role

A digital financial services organisation, expanding its offering to include Embedded Finance, is looking for a Chief Compliance Officer in Dubai to lead the compliance function, strengthen regulatory governance and support responsible business growth. The role suits an experienced compliance professional with a strong background in banking or financial services, able to combine regulatory credibility and independent oversight with a pragmatic, commercially minded approach.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the Regulatory Compliance and Conduct framework, ensuring effective governance, adherence to regulatory requirements and high standards of business conduct.
• Provide strategic compliance advice and independent challenge to the CEO, Board and senior management, supporting growth while maintaining a sound risk and control environment.
• Build strong relationships with regulators, particularly the CBUAE, and lead regulatory engagement, inspections and regulatory change initiatives.
• Embed compliance by design across product, technology and commercial decisions, so regulatory considerations are built into new products, partnerships and initiatives from the start.
• Oversee compliance policies, procedures and governance frameworks across the organisation and its regulated entities.
• Oversee conduct risk, consumer protection and broader regulatory compliance, supporting fair customer outcomes.
• Work with the MLRO and stakeholders on financial crime risk management, including AML/CFT, sanctions and anti-bribery and corruption.
• Identify emerging regulatory and compliance risks and advise on mitigation, including for Embedded Finance.
• Lead, develop and mentor the compliance function, fostering a culture of integrity, accountability and regulatory awareness.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Law, Finance, Business or a related discipline; professional compliance qualifications are advantageous.
• 13+ years in compliance, with significant senior regulatory compliance leadership experience in traditional banking or established financial services.
• Strong understanding of the UAE regulatory environment and experience engaging with the CBUAE and other regulators.
• Proven experience leading broad regulatory compliance and governance frameworks, covering conduct risk, consumer protection and wider regulatory obligations.
• Experience advising and challenging Boards and senior management, and embedding compliance into business strategy and product development.
• Digital banking, payments, fintech or regulated new-product experience is advantageous.
• Strong leadership, communication, stakeholder management and problem-solving skills.