Executive Director, Head of Business Governance

Aventus; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 1,000,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Aventus is seeking an Executive Director, Head of Business Governance to lead the First Line of Defence governance and controls across its Investment Banking business in Abu Dhabi. You will embed a robust governance framework with Risk, Compliance, and other control functions to strengthen risk management, accountability and operational effectiveness.

The role requires 10–15+ years in a major international bank, strong knowledge of Investment Banking and Markets, and an ability to influence

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Banking, Finance, Management or a related discipline.
• 10–15+ years’ experience in a reputable international bank with exposure to Investment Banking & Markets, Risk, Compliance or Internal Audit.
• Strong understanding of Investment Banking and Markets, including relevant products and risk frameworks.
• Proven experience in first-line governance, risk and control assessments and regulatory engagement.
• Excellent senior stakeholder management and communication skills with credibility to challenge decisions.

Responsibilities

• Lead the First Line governance and controls framework across Investment Banking & Markets.
• Oversee risk tracking, control design, RCSA activity, and the overall risk and control environment.
• Serve as the main business liaison for regulatory engagements, examinations and reporting.
• Establish governance and assurance mechanisms across Coverage, Global Markets and Global Corporate Finance.
• Oversee issues from regulatory reviews, monitoring and remediation activities with clear ownership.
• Lead governance reporting and committees, analyzing risk trends and control weaknesses.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Regulatory engagement

Governance & risk

Communication

Influencing skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Banking/Finance/Management or related

Job description

Title: Executive Director, Head of Business Governance

About the Client

Our client is a leading banking group seeking an Executive Director, Head of Business Governance to lead the First Line of Defence governance and controls function across its Investment Banking business. The role will establish and embed a robust business-owned governance framework across Investment Banking, working closely with Risk, Compliance and other control functions to strengthen risk management, accountability and operational effectiveness.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the IB&M First Line governance and controls framework across Investment Banking & Markets, overseeing risk tracking, control design, RCSA activity and the wider business risk and control environment.
• Act as the key business coordination point for regulatory engagement, examinations, information requests and regulatory reporting, partnering with Compliance, Risk and senior Investment Banking stakeholders.
• Establish effective governance and assurance mechanisms across Coverage, Global Markets and Global Corporate Finance, including oversight of control effectiveness, KRIs, issues, incidents, near-misses and remediation activity.
• Oversee business-owned issues and findings arising from regulatory reviews, Compliance monitoring, Internal Audit and control failures, ensuring clear ownership, timely remediation and appropriate escalation.
• Lead governance reporting and senior management committees, providing analysis of risk trends, control weaknesses, emerging risks and business performance, while supporting Capital Allocation Committee governance and decision-making.
• Partner with Investment Banking business and control functions on regulatory, credit and risk matters, including policy implementation, risk thresholds, credit governance and alignment of business processes with applicable CBUAE and Group requirements.

Key Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Banking, Finance, Management or a related discipline; professional certification in Risk, Compliance, AML/CFT or Financial Crime is advantageous.
• 10–15+ years' experience within a reputable international bank, with substantial exposure to Investment Banking & Markets, Risk, Compliance or Internal Audit in regulated financial services environments.
• Strong understanding of Investment Banking and Markets, including Global Markets and Global Corporate Finance products, processes and associated risk and control frameworks.
• Proven experience in first-line governance, risk and control assessments, regulatory engagement, issue remediation, assurance, monitoring and governance reporting.
• Strong knowledge of financial services regulations and regulatory reporting, with UAE / CBUAE experience highly advantageous.
• Excellent senior stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills, with the credibility to challenge business decisions, drive accountability and present complex risk matters to senior management.