Executive Director, Head of Business Governance

About the role

The Executive Director, Head of Business Governance will lead the First Line of Defence governance and controls function for the Investment Banking & Markets division of a leading banking group in Abu Dhabi. The role establishes a business‑owned governance framework, partners with Risk, Compliance and other control functions, and drives risk‑aware decision‑making across the investment banking business.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the First Line governance and controls framework for Investment Banking & Markets, overseeing risk tracking, control design and RCSA activity.
• Act as the primary coordination point for regulatory engagement, examinations, information requests and regulatory reporting.
• Establish governance and assurance mechanisms across Coverage, Global Markets and Global Corporate Finance, monitoring KRIs, issues, incidents and remediation.
• Oversee business‑owned issues arising from regulatory reviews, compliance monitoring, internal audit and control failures, ensuring clear ownership and timely remediation.
• Lead governance reporting to senior committees, providing analysis of risk trends, control weaknesses and emerging risks.
• Partner with business and control functions on regulatory, credit and risk matters, including policy implementation and alignment with CBUAE and Group requirements.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Banking, Finance, Management or a related discipline.
• 10–15+ years of experience within a reputable international bank, preferably in investment banking or markets.
• Professional certification in Risk, Compliance, AML/CFT or Financial Crime is advantageous.
• Proven track record of leading governance, risk and control functions in a complex financial environment.

Required skills

• Investment Banking
• Internal Audit
• Issue remediation
• Credit governance
• Financial services regulations
• RCSA activity
• Governance
• Regulatory engagement
• Assurance monitoring
• CFT
• Compliance monitoring
• Regulatory Reporting
• Governance reporting
• Risk thresholds
• Controls framework
• Risk Compliance
• Financial crime
• AML