Head of Compliance

Kingston Stanley; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 120,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

Kingston Stanley is partnering with a leading financial services group in Abu Dhabi to identify an experienced Head of Compliance & MLRO for a senior leadership opportunity. The role focuses on regulatory governance, compliance oversight and strategic decision‑making in a sophisticated banking operation.

You will leverage 10+ years in compliance, with 5+ years in leadership, strong FCC/AML expertise and proven regulator engagement, reporting to the Board/ExCo.

Qualifications

• 10+ years’ compliance experience within regulated financial services, ideally in banking.
• 5+ years in a senior compliance leadership role, Head of Compliance or equivalent.
• Strong expertise across FCC, AML, sanctions and regulatory compliance.
• Experience as an MLRO, with senior leadership responsibilities.
• Exposure to deposit-taking and lending within a prudentially regulated banking environment.
• Proven regulator engagement and Board/ExCo-level reporting experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead regulatory governance, compliance oversight and strategic decision‑making.
• Drive FCC, AML and sanctions programs across the organisation.
• Engage with regulators and provide board-level reporting and advisory.
• Oversee compliance monitoring and risk mitigation in a senior leadership role.

Skills

Senior leadership

Regulatory compliance

Financial crime compliance

AML

Sanctions

Board/ExCo reporting

MLRO experience

Banking / financial services

Regulatory engagement

Job description

We are partnering with a leading financial services group to identify an experienced Head of Compliance & MLRO for a senior leadership opportunity based in Abu Dhabi.

This is a high‑profile role supporting the development of a broader, more sophisticated, regulated banking operation, offering the opportunity to play a key role in regulatory governance, compliance oversight and strategic decision‑making.

We’re keen to connect with professionals who have:

• 10+ years’ compliance experience within regulated financial services, ideally in banking
• 5+ years in a senior compliance leadership or Head of Compliance position
• Strong expertise across financial crime compliance (FCC), AML, sanctions, regulatory compliance and advisory
• Experience as an MLRO, ideally alongside senior compliance leadership responsibilities
• Exposure to deposit‑taking and lending activities within a prudentially regulated banking environment
• A proven track record of regulator engagement, compliance monitoring and Board/ExCo‑level reporting
• Experience across private banking, wealth management or asset management within a broader banking environment would be advantageous

International candidates with relevant experience in established financial centres, including the UK, Europe and Singapore, are encouraged to get in touch.