VP KYC and Onboarding - Business Banking

About the role

First Abu Dhabi Bank is looking for a VP of KYC and Onboarding for its Business Banking function in Abu Dhabi. The role leads the team that independently reviews KYC files for client onboarding, KYC refresh and trigger-based events, ensuring files are complete within agreed SLAs and that AML/CTF/sanctions risks are identified, assessed and mitigated before clients are onboarded or retained. The VP acts as a team lead supporting the Head of KYC Onboarding, works with offshore locations on day-to-day activities and is accountable for the end-to-end KYC approval process.

Key responsibilities

• Manage the new-to-bank client onboarding process and periodic and trigger reviews, ensuring clients are onboarded within agreed timelines
• Ensure compliance with UAE Central Bank regulations and bank policies on CDD, AML/CTF, PEP and sanctions
• Identify, assess and mitigate ML/TF, PEP, adverse media and sanctions risks during CDD reviews, escalating risks to FCC/Compliance and Business where necessary
• Advise on bank policies, regulatory requirements, CDD process and FCC risks, and review bank policies annually
• Draft and implement CDD SOPs, checklists, forms and the Sanctions Exposure Questionnaire, and support automation of CDD processes
• Approve cases up to high-risk according to the delegation of authority, and forward very high-risk cases to FCC and Compliance
• Support the Head of KYC Onboarding in meetings, and take decisions within the approved KYC authorisation matrix
• Conduct training for KYC teams and frontline staff, and take part in change management and digital initiatives
• Manage the team, including performance management, holidays and sickness, and coach and train team members
• Maintain departmental MIS, KYC deferral trackers, PEP trackers and dashboards, and help the team meet KIRs and KPIs

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Management, Banking, Finance, preferably with a certification in Compliance, KYC/AML/CFT, Financial Crime or Risk Management
• Minimum 8-10 years of experience in a reputable bank, including at least 5 years of technical experience in regulatory and financial crime compliance (e.g. FATCA, CRS, GDPR, AML, KYC)
• Relevant experience in Compliance/AML/KYC/transaction monitoring
• Certification in Compliance, KYC/AML/CFT, Financial Crime or Risk Management, such as ACAMS or ICA
• Proactive, business-oriented, able to prioritise and manage conflicting demands

Required skills

• Sound Microsoft Office application knowledge
• Knowledge of AML, KYC, CDD, PEP and sanctions screening