AML Alert Manager

ADIB Group; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial institution in Abu Dhabi is seeking an experienced AML Alert Manager to oversee the implementation of the AML/CFT program. This pivotal role involves ensuring compliance with regulations, conducting investigations into suspicious transactions, and leading a team of compliance professionals. The ideal candidate must have at least 7 years of banking experience, including a minimum of 5 years in compliance. Strong leadership and analytical skills, along with professional AML qualifications, are essential for success in this position.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years banking experience, with 5 years in compliance at a financial institution.
• Knowledge in investigating white collar/economic crime.
• Strong understanding of UAE regulations and international compliance standards.

Responsibilities

• Implement Group-wide AML/CFT program and policies.
• Conduct investigations on suspicious transactions.
• Monitor daily case inventories and ensure compliance.

Skills

AML/CFT compliance expertise

Analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

Leadership skills

Management skills

Education

Professional qualification in AML/Compliance

Tools

MS Office (Word, Excel & PowerPoint)

Job description

Overview

Role : AML Alert Manager
Location : Abu Dhabi

Role Purpose:
The AML Alerts Manager is responsible for the implementation of the Group-wide (including branches subsidiaries and ADIB Sudan Iraq and Qatar) AML/CFT Program and provide Subject Matter Expertise (SME) advice, guidance, and input on AML/CFT regulations including but not limited to writing AML/CFT Policy Procedures and delivering training. The role entails implementing the Group AML/CFT Policies and Procedures, periodic review of the AML/CFT program, owning AML/CFT systems, and ensuring breach of applicable regulations are escalated to the Head of AML & Sanctions and Global Head of FCC on a timely basis.

Key Accountabilities of the role

1. The Groups Compliance strategy within the AML/CFT teams remit in GCD and COC to ensure vertical alignment and horizontal integration with other interfacing departmental strategies.
2. Ensure Group AML/CFT policies and procedures remain updated, relevant and communicated to all stakeholders.
3. Implementation of the AML/CFT program within the Group (including branches subsidiaries and international locations) to address current AML/CFT risks and remain sufficiently agile to manage anticipated future AML/CFT risks.
4. Keep abreast of related laws, regulations and best practices pertaining to AML/CFT and assess its impact on ADIB Group. For International branches and subsidiaries work with Head of IBG Compliance and local MLROs to keep the AML/CFT program updated in line with the local laws and regulations.
5. Monitoring and all Alerts received from the system are comprehensively investigated by the Compliance Operation Center (COC) to achieve conclusive results that comply with all local regulations / international best practices.
6. Monitoring daily, weekly and monthly AML Alert and case inventory and to ensure ALL alert analysis and case investigations are completed within established service level agreements and regulatory time frames.
7. Have an effective oversight on COC functions for AML in respect of: o Team performance and productivity; o Review QA results and take necessary actions to remediate failed cases including identifying root causes; o Review MIS reports and attend governance calls and take remedial actions on any identified issues.
8. Ensure that COC and L3 teams are updated with latest changes in the regulatory landscape.
9. Enhance, review and uplift existing procedures, policies, guidances in line with the regulatory requirements.
10. Ensuring appropriate investigations, reporting and controls are in place targeting each step of the investigative process workflow.
11. Monitoring individual and team level productivity to ensure Alerts are actioned within appropriate time frames.
12. Serving as Subject matter expert, coaching Associates and Investigators, motivating employees, providing mentorship and identifying continuing education training opportunities for the Team and individuals, as well as promoting career progression initiatives for business & Level 3 Team.
13. Reviewing high profile anti-money laundering investigations requiring the utmost confidentiality including but not limited to terrorist financing subpoenas and litigation.
14. Managing individual performance evaluations throughout the year.
15. Ensuring that all investigations are completed timeously and accurately to the satisfaction.
16. Ensuring that Level 3 conduct investigations on current or prospective customers and third parties: this may include but will not be limited to background reviews, negative news screening reviews, internet searches and enhanced due diligence.
17. Lead the Level 3 AML & CTF Alerts Investigation Team in providing positive, accurate and practical advice to all business and operations on all questions and issues.
18. Provide SME guidance / input to the business/Branches on how to evaluate AML & CTF risks, how to escalate to GCD and on managing the suspicious transactions through Unusual Activity Report (UAR).
19. Ensure the appropriate implementation and completion of all KPIs for direct reports for level 3 team.
20. Initiate continuous productivity improvement into the AML & CTF processes by participating as a key stakeholder in the delivery of new technology and working with the COC and L3 teams to identify business process improvement opportunities. Provide AML & CTF SME guidance / input on all AML & CTF impacted IT systems.
21. Conduct regular meetings with the business, COC and Level 3 to facilitate good communications and resolve any AML & CTF alerts/cases issues within the organization for various business areas.
22. Work collectively with Head of AML & Sanctions Unit and Head of Financial Crime Compliance to develop and maintain a motivated and professionally trained staff, ensuring appropriate capacity planning, adherence to and improvement in performance and quality standards and appropriate career development.
23. Provide leadership, support, guidance and coaching to the AML & CTF L3 team.
24. Assist Head of AML & Sanctions Unit on implementing organizational initiatives and other official matters when required.
25. Participating in the design of the AML system scenarios/rules and algorithms to identify suspicious activities and suggest self-tuning models that work in a streaming data setting for AML system.

Specialist Skills / Technical Knowledge Required for this role

• The candidate expected to have professional qualification or industry recognized certifications/diploma in AML/Compliance related fields like AAMs/ICS/ACFCS/FIBA etc.
• Exemplary knowledge and experience of scoping and managing the implementation of AML & CTF procedures and systems.
• Exemplary knowledge and experience of providing Subject Matter input for AML & CTF policies processes system ratings.
• Strong knowledge of UAE Regulations Rules International Compliance Standards & Best Practices such as FATF guidance Basel recommendations.
• Strong knowledge of experience of having provided AML & CTF advice to all types of business and operations covering all types of relationships.
• Proven management and leadership skills.
• Strong knowledge of AML & CTF policy and procedures. Candidate should have strong inter-managerial communication skills and be used to dealing with Senior Managers.
• Good analytical/review/assessment skills of bank compliance procedures and IT systems.
• Ability to balance between compliance requirement & business needs.
• Ability to build constructive and effective relationships with peer and seniors.
• Strong analytical, written and oral communication skills; relationship building.
• Sound judgment, strong interpersonal skills, ability to multi-task.
• Independence of thought and initiative.
• Ability to be self-starter and work independently as well as part of a team.
• Demonstrated leadership & facilitation skills.
• Ability to interact with all functions and levels including senior management.
• Ability to prioritize workload and meet deadlines.
• Good understanding of banking process and products.
• Analytical mind and good communication and self-motivated, detail oriented.
• Fluent in English (ability to read and communicate in Arabic language will be an added advantage).
• Proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel & PowerPoint).

Previous experience required (if any)

• Minimum of 7 years banking experience, out of which 5 years should be in Compliance Department of a Financial Institution in a similar role.
• 4 years knowledge and experience in the investigation of white collar / economic crime (including reactive investigations and pro-active strategies).

Required Experience: Manager