Director, Compliance & Ethics

Client of WeConnect Energy; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 350,000 - 650,000; Full time

Job summary

WeConnect Energy is seeking a Director, Ethics & Compliance to lead the function, ensuring effective management of regulatory, ethical and conduct risks across all business activities.

The role acts as a trusted advisor to senior leadership and fosters a culture of integrity and accountability, guiding policy frameworks, training programs and investigations while coordinating with regulators and stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Law (essential); Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 15 years of experience in ethics and compliance, preferably in energy, commodities, or investment/M&A environments.
• Strong working knowledge of U.S., U.K., and European regulatory frameworks.
• Proven experience in regulatory engagement, compliance investigations, and senior stakeholder management.
• Demonstrated people leadership experience.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary ethics and compliance SME advising business lines and senior management on complex regulatory and compliance matters.
• Lead the design, implementation and continuous improvement of a comprehensive ethics and compliance program aligned with global and local regulations.
• Own and maintain the ethics and compliance policy framework, guidance and training programs.
• Oversee regulatory compliance, including sanctions investigations and proactive engagement with regulators and key stakeholders.
• Lead antitrust, competition, merger control and foreign direct investment (FDI) compliance including risk assessments, regulatory filings, transactional support and training.
• Manage core compliance operations, including conflicts of interest, gifts and hospitality, whistleblowing, investigations, third‑party due diligence, monitoring and compliance systems.
• Oversee external counsel and advisors ensuring effective delivery and value.
• Lead ethics and compliance reporting to senior management, Board, auditors and regulators.
• Represent the organization in selected industry forums and compliance initiatives.
• Lead, develop and manage the Ethics and Compliance team.

Skills

Ethics & compliance expertise

Regulatory engagement

Senior stakeholder management

People leadership

Regulatory investigations

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Law

Master’s degree

Job description

WeConnect Energy is currently recruiting for a Director, Ethics & Compliance on behalf of our client, an energy company in the UAE.

Role Purpose

Lead and oversee the organization’s Ethics and Compliance function ensuring effective management of regulatory, ethical and conduct risks across all business activities. Act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership and foster a strong culture of integrity, accountability and compliance.

Key Accountabilities

• Serve as the primary ethics and compliance SME advising business lines and senior management on complex regulatory and compliance matters.
• Lead the design, implementation and continuous improvement of a comprehensive ethics and compliance program aligned with global and local regulations.
• Own and maintain the ethics and compliance policy framework, guidance and training programs.
• Oversee regulatory compliance, including sanctions investigations and proactive engagement with regulators and key stakeholders.
• Lead antitrust, competition, merger control and foreign direct investment (FDI) compliance including risk assessments, regulatory filings, transactional support and training.
• Manage core compliance operations, including conflicts of interest, gifts and hospitality, whistleblowing, investigations, third‑party due diligence, monitoring and compliance systems.
• Oversee external counsel and advisors ensuring effective delivery and value.
• Lead ethics and compliance reporting to senior management, Board, auditors and regulators.
• Represent the organization in selected industry forums and compliance initiatives.
• Lead, develop and manage the Ethics and Compliance team.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Law (essential); Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 15 years of experience in ethics and compliance, preferably in energy, commodities, or investment/M&A environments.
• Strong working knowledge of U.S., U.K., and European regulatory frameworks.
• Proven experience in regulatory engagement, compliance investigations, and senior stakeholder management.
• Demonstrated people leadership experience.