Head of Compliance

Confidential Company; Sharjah; On-site; AED 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential Company in the United Arab Emirates seeks a Head of Compliance to lead the organization's compliance and risk management framework, ensuring alignment with regulatory and business requirements across UAE financial services.

You will manage regulatory licenses, renewals and engagement with authorities, oversee PCI DSS and ISO information security programs, develop governance, risk registers, and reports for senior leadership, coordinating audits and remediation activities.

Qualifications

• Experience designing and maintaining compliance programs and controls.
• Knowledge of UAE financial services regulations and licensing.
• Ability to lead audits, risk assessments and remediation activities.

Responsibilities

• Lead compliance framework aligned with regulatory and business requirements.
• Manage regulatory licenses renewals, submissions and authority engagement.
• Oversee PCI DSS, ISO standards, information security and data protection programs.
• Coordinate internal/external audits and remediation activities to ensure ongoing compliance.
• Prepare risk dashboards and senior leadership reports.

Skills

Regulatory compliance

Risk management

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

Job description

Lead the organization s compliance and risk management framework in line with regulatory andbusiness requirements Ensure compliance with applicable UAE financial services regulations licensing requirements andindustry standards Manage regulatory licenses renewals submissions and ongoing engagement with relevantregulatory authorities Oversee compliance programs related to PCI DSS ISO standards information security dataprotection and other applicable certifications and regulatory requirements Develop implement and maintain compliance policies governance frameworks risk registers andinternal control mechanisms Monitor regulatory and industry developments and assess their impact on business operations products and services Conduct compliance reviews risk assessments control testing and gap analyses across businessfunctions Coordinate internal audits external audits certification assessments and remediation activities toensure ongoing compliance Identify assess monitor and mitigate operational regulatory technology and third-party risks Work closely with the Finance team to ensure compliance with financial reporting obligations regulatory requirements governance standards and audit readiness across the organization Collaborate with Technology Operations Product and Leadership teams to ensure compliancerequirements are embedded within business processes and new initiatives Prepare compliance reports risk dashboards governance updates and management reports forsenior leadership Strong knowledge of regulatory compliance and risk management frameworks.Experience managing regulatory audits, certifications, and compliance reviews.Ability to develop and implement governance policies and internal controls.Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and risk assessment capabilities.Ability to balance regulatory requirements with business objectives.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Successful maintenance and renewal of all regulatory licenses and certifications.
• Zero major regulatory breaches, compliance violations, or financial penalties.
• Timely completion of regulatory filings, audit requirements, and certification renewals.
• Closure of audit findings and compliance observations within agreed timelines.
• Effective management and reporting of enterprise risk registers and mitigation plans.
• Successful completion of internal compliance reviews and external assessments.
• Improvement in audit outcomes, compliance ratings, and certification results.
• Timely delivery of compliance and risk reports to senior management.
• Increased compliance awareness and adherence across business functions.