Chief Compliance Officer (EMIRATI)

Salt; Dubai; On-site; AED 900,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Job summary

Salt seeks a Chief Compliance Officer in Dubai to set the tone for regulatory compliance at the highest level. You will guide governance, regulatory strategy and risk oversight for a regulated financial institution.

You will advise senior leadership and the Board on evolving UAE banking regulations, AML/CFT and sanctions, and lead a top-tier compliance function with significant strategic impact. You will build a robust culture of accountability, implement practical controls, and coordinate

Qualifications

• 15+ years banking experience in compliance or related risk functions.
• Strong understanding of UAE banking regulation and AML/CFT.
• Credibility with UAE regulators and Board committees on regulatory matters.
• Bachelor’s degree in Law, Finance, Accounting, Banking, or related field; postgraduate qualifications advantageous.
• Professional credentials such as CAMS, ICA, CCEP, CRCM, CFA, CPA, or ACCA highly regarded.

Responsibilities

• Set the overall compliance direction for the organisation, ensuring regulatory obligations are translated into practical controls, governance, and business requirements.
• Provide executive and Board-level advice on regulatory developments, compliance exposures, emerging conduct risks, and matters requiring senior intervention.
• Strengthen oversight across areas such as regulatory compliance, consumer protection, financial crime controls, sanctions, governance, and conduct.
• Lead interactions with regulators and coordinate inspections, supervisory reviews, information requests, remediation programmes, and ongoing regulatory commitments.
• Build a strong compliance culture across the organisation by improving accountability, monitoring, escalation, training, and awareness of regulatory responsibilities.
• Lead and develop the compliance function, strengthening technical capability, reporting quality, risk assessment, and the effectiveness of the overall control environment.

Skills

Banking compliance

Regulatory affairs

Financial crime

Conduct risk

Regulatory monitoring

Board advisory

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Postgraduate qualifications

Professional credentials (CAMS/ICA/CCEP/CRCM/CFA/CPA/ACCA)

Tools

Regulatory frameworks

Governance systems

Job description

We are hiring a Chief Compliance Officer for an executive-level opportunity in Dubai.

This role is suited to an accomplished banking compliance leader who can provide independent regulatory oversight, strengthen the compliance framework, and advise senior leadership on evolving regulatory obligations and conduct risks.

Key Responsibilities

• Set the overall compliance direction for the organisation, ensuring regulatory obligations are translated into practical controls, governance, and business requirements.
• Provide executive and Board-level advice on regulatory developments, compliance exposures, emerging conduct risks, and matters requiring senior intervention.
• Strengthen oversight across areas such as regulatory compliance, consumer protection, financial crime controls, sanctions, governance, and conduct.
• Lead interactions with regulators and coordinate inspections, supervisory reviews, information requests, remediation programmes, and ongoing regulatory commitments.
• Build a strong compliance culture across the organisation by improving accountability, monitoring, escalation, training, and awareness of regulatory responsibilities.
• Lead and develop the compliance function, strengthening technical capability, reporting quality, risk assessment, and the effectiveness of the overall control environment.

Requirements

• 15+ years of banking experience, with significant depth across compliance, regulatory affairs, financial crime, or related risk and control functions.
• Strong practical understanding of UAE banking regulation, compliance governance, consumer protection, AML/CFT, sanctions, conduct risk, and regulatory monitoring.
• Proven credibility working with UAE regulators and advising Executive Management and Board Committees on significant regulatory and compliance matters.
• Bachelor’s degree in Law, Finance, Accounting, Banking, Business Administration, or a related discipline; postgraduate qualifications would be advantageous.
• Professional credentials such as: CAMS, ICA, CCEP, CRCM, CFA, CPA, or ACCA are highly regarded.

What Makes this Role Strong

This is an opportunity to shape compliance strategy at the highest level, influence major regulatory decisions, and strengthen trust, governance, and accountability across a regulated financial institution.

***Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted***