Group Head of Compliance

Jameson Legal.; Dubai; On-site; AED 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A multinational organization in Dubai is seeking an experienced Group Head of Compliance to lead global compliance functions and ensure regulatory integrity across various sectors. The ideal candidate will have extensive compliance experience, particularly in GCC markets, and strong problem-solving skills. This role involves strategic oversight and collaboration with various teams to foster a culture of integrity within the organization.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in compliance, ideally within a multinational environment.
• Deep expertise in compliance across GCC markets.
• Proven ability to design and lead compliance programs in multiple jurisdictions.
• Solid grasp of key legal and regulatory areas, including FCPA, GDPR, and ESG.
• Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Group's global compliance function.
• Develop and maintain compliance policies and procedures.
• Advise on compliance and ethical matters.
• Monitor regulatory developments and emerging risks.
• Drive compliance training and culture-building initiatives.

Skills

Compliance, ethics, governance

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Arabic language skills

Job description

About the role

Our client is looking to appoint an experienced and strategic compliance professional to lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the Group's global compliance framework. As Group Head of Compliance, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring the organisation maintains the highest standards of regulatory and ethical integrity across all jurisdictions in which they operate.

Our client is a large multinational group head‑quartered in Dubai with divisions/businesses involved in energy, infrastructure, construction and consulting as they work to improve how people live the lives now and in the future.

Given their recent acquisition of another multinational organisation, there is going to be an exciting challenge to bring the culture of two large organisations together as they look to develop their long term governance, compliance and ethics program.

Responsibilities

• Leading and managing the Group's global compliance function, ensuring alignment with corporate strategy and regulatory requirements.
• Developing, implementing, and maintaining compliance policies, frameworks, and procedures to ensure adherence to applicable laws, regulations, and internal standards.
• Advising the Board, executive team, and senior management on compliance, governance, and ethical matters.
• Monitoring regulatory developments and emerging risks across all jurisdictions and translating them into actionable business guidance. This includes a specific focus on compliance challenges within the engineering, design, and construction sectors.
• Overseeing compliance risk assessments and audits, ensuring timely identification and mitigation of issues.
• Driving awareness and accountability through practical compliance training, communication, and culture-building initiatives.
• Acting as the key liaison with regulatory authorities, auditors, and other external stakeholders.
• Supporting the development and maintenance of internal reporting mechanisms, including whistleblowing, investigations, and disciplinary processes.
• Collaborating closely with Legal, Risk, HR, Finance, and Operational teams to ensure a cohesive approach to governance and risk management, fostering a team-oriented environment.
• Championing continuous improvement in compliance processes through innovation, automation, and best practice benchmarking, including leveraging compliance technology solutions.

Your Profile

• Extensive experience in compliance, ethics, governance, or regulatory affairs, ideally within a multinational or professional services environment.
• Deep expertise in compliance across GCC markets, with a strong understanding of regional regulatory frameworks and governance expectations.
• Proven ability to design and lead compliance programs across multiple jurisdictions, supporting multinational operations in the Middle East, Africa, and globally.
• Solid grasp of key legal and regulatory areas, including anti‑bribery, anti‑corruption (e.g., FCPA, UK Bribery Act), data privacy (e.g., GDPR, local laws), sanctions, ESG, and corporate governance.
• Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and build trust at all organisational levels. A committed team player is essential.
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, and communication skills, able to translate complex compliance issues for diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated success in leading teams and fostering a culture of integrity and accountability.
• Able to operate autonomously while maintaining alignment with corporate strategy and values.
• Arabic language skills would be advantageous.

Technical Experience required

• Demonstrated experience in implementing and managing compliance with international public procurement rules and tender regulations.
• Expertise in handling due diligence for third‑party vendors and agents in high‑risk jurisdictions, including the ability to manage complex KYC/AML procedures.
• Familiarity with ethical considerations and conflicts of interest management specific to large‑scale engineering and design projects.

For a confidential chat about this or other roles he is handling, please contact Matt Pollard in the Jameson Legal London office.

Please note that where a level of preferred experience or qualification is indicated, this is a guideline only and does not preclude applications from candidates with more or less experience. Jameson Legal acts as an employment business for temporary recruitment and as an employment agency for fixed term contract and permanent recruitment.