Director, Risk Advisory, Financial Crime Compliance

Ankura; Dubai; On-site; AED 450,000 - 750,000; Full time

Job summary

Ankura in Dubai seeks a Director to lead the Financial Crime Compliance practice within Risk Advisory. The role offers strategic client delivery across AML, sanctions programs, and investigative engagements, with mentorship and business development responsibilities.

You will manage complex assignments, coordinate with cross-functional teams, and contribute to growth across the EMEA region while maintaining the highest standards of confidentiality and professional integrity.

Qualifications

• First class report writing, communication and presentation skills.
• Fluent in English is essential; Arabic would be highly beneficial.
• Certification and ongoing professional education in AFC related area.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day delivery of AML and Sanctions Programs, including investigations and risk assessments.
• Design, craft, and deliver client proposals, presentations and marketing materials.
• Prepare engagement work plans, working papers, progress reports and final reports to high quality.
• Collaborate with clients, counsel, auditors and regulators in sensitive situations.
• Lead and mentor project teams; develop junior staff and assess performance.
• Engage in business development, opportunities identification and pursuit support.

Skills

Report writing

Communication

Presentation skills

English fluency

Arabic beneficial

Education

FCC related certification

Professional AFC education

Job description

Ankura is a team of excellence founded on innovation and growth. This position is in the Financial Crime Compliance practice which is part of the Risk Advisory business group, which is one of five strategic business groups at Ankura The Director position supports Ankura’s EMEA Financial Crime Compliance practice, which has the ambition to be the clear market leader in its field. Ankura is recognised as one of the five fasted growing consulting companies with over sixteen hundred employees across more than thirty offices globally, providing a range of advisory and expert services to the private and public sector clients. This is a key role, operating in a fast-paced culture and will suit a candidate with the ambition and desire to grow and develop. Be part of a growing team with a unique opportunity to help shape the practice as it develops. Work within a team of world recognised experts in an established leading global consultancy. Work in a collaborative environment which promotes curiosity learning and communication, where our professionals have the freedom to innovate. Manage stakeholders on the most complex assignments. Gain cross discipline exposure and develop a rounded skillset across AFC investigations and compliance. Experience frequent client interaction including preparing and presenting results Be mentored by some of the best professionals in the industry. Experience truly supportive career development with a formal development process, training programs and an internal e-learning platform, Ankura Academy.

Responsibilities

• Managing day-to-day delivery of Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Sanctions Programs, including investigations, model reviews, risk assessments, compliance reviews and forensic audits.
• Designing, crafting, and delivering client proposals, presentations and marketing materials.
• Preparing engagement work plans, working papers project documentation, progress reports, draft, and final reports to the highest level of quality.
• Working with clients, their legal advisors, internal and external auditors and regulatory authorise in sometimes sensitive and adversarial situations.
• Support, lead and manage the work of the assignment team comprised on internal and external experts in close intermittent and distant collaboration modes.
• Work closely with Ankura’s Data & Technology team to embed appropriate forensic technology solutions into engagement delivery.
• Plan, manage and control budget on investigation engagements.
• Monitor and manage risk through the engagement cycle.
• Adhere to the strictest standards of client and engagement confidentiality.
• Maintain active communication with counsel, clients, and internal team to manage expectations and ensure satisfaction.
• Manage, develop, train and mentor more junior staff on projects and assess performance for engagement and year-end review.
• Actively engage in business development activities, identifying opportunities, supporting pursuits, and winning new work alongside more senior members of the team.
• On occasion, participating in public speaking events, conferences, seminars, marketing events and client meetings.

Requirements

• Currently working in an FCC role in a bank or financial services firm.
• Background gained in a big 4/mid-tier forensic firm.
• Proven track record of working on AFC reviews and investigations, issue management and risk assessments.
• Certification and ongoing professional education in AFC related area.
• Ability to research, retrieve, prepare and analyse structured and unstructured information.
• First class report writing, communication and presentation skills Microsoft Office advanced skills.
• Adaptable, driven and action orientated approach.
• Open, inquisitive, and critical mind.
• Fluent in English is essential and fluent in Arabic would be highly beneficial.
• Travel flexible.
• Ankura is an Aff

Ankura is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against based on disability.

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Ankura Consulting Group, LLC is an independent global expert services and advisory firm that delivers services and end-to-end solutions to help clients at critical inflection points related to conflict, crisis, performance, risk, strategy, and transformation. The Ankura team consists of more than 2000 professionals serving 3,000+ clients across 55 countries who are leaders in their respective fields and areas of expertise.

Collaborative Lateral Thinking That Delivers, hard-earned experience, expertise, and multidisciplinary capabilities drive results and Ankura is unrivalled in its ability to assist clients to Protect, Create, and Recover Value. For more information, please visit, ankura.com.