Head of Compliance - Commodities/Trading

Tanqeeb; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Tanqeeb in Abu Dhabi seeks a Head of Legal (Compliance) to oversee the organisation's compliance programme across UAE entities, ensuring robust governance and risk management.

You will lead AML/KYC/CDD/EDD, sanctions screening, and transaction monitoring; advise senior leadership; engage regulators, banks, and auditors. The role requires deep UAE AML/CFT knowledge and experience with OECD/LBMA standards in a high-growth environment.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading AML, financial crime, compliance, or risk functions.
• Strong expertise in AML, KYC, CDD, EDD, sanctions screening, and monitoring.
• Deep understanding of UAE AML/CFT regulations and governance best practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the organisation's compliance programme across UAE entities, ensuring robust governance and risk management.
• Oversee AML, KYC, CDD, EDD, sanctions screening, transaction monitoring, and beneficial ownership investigations for high‑risk counterparties.
• Evaluate source of funds and source of wealth, supply chain integrity, and responsible sourcing risks across international operations.
• Build, implement, and continuously enhance compliance policies, procedures, controls, and governance frameworks.
• Advise senior leadership and manage relationships with regulators, banks, auditors, and external advisers.
• Lead internal investigations into potential financial crime and sanctions concerns, providing clear risk mitigation recommendations.

Skills

AML

KYC

CDD

EDD

sanctions screening

transaction monitoring

beneficial ownership assessments

Job description

Job description

The Head of Legal (Compliance) will oversee and manage all compliance-related legal functions within the organisation. This role requires a strong understanding of regulatory frameworks and the ability to provide expert legal guidance.

Client Details

Our client is a fast-growing international precious metals and mining business with operations spanning the Middle East, Latin America, Europe, and Asia. The organisation operates in a complex, high-risk trading environment and is committed to maintaining the highest standards of compliance, responsible sourcing, and governance.

Description

Lead and develop the organisation's compliance programme across multiple UAE entities, ensuring robust governance and risk management.

Oversee AML, KYC, CDD, EDD, sanctions screening, transaction monitoring, and beneficial ownership assessments for high-risk counterparties.

Evaluate source of funds, source of wealth, supply chain integrity, and responsible sourcing risks across international precious metals operations.

Build, implement, and continuously enhance compliance policies, procedures, controls, and governance frameworks.

Act as a key advisor to senior leadership while managing relationships with regulators, banks, auditors, and external advisors.

Lead internal investigations into potential financial crime, sanctions concerns, responsible sourcing issues, and compliance breaches, providing clear recommendations to senior management on risk acceptance and mitigation.

Profile

Proven experience leading AML, financial crime, compliance, or risk functions within precious metals, commodities trading, banking, or financial services.

Strong expertise in AML, KYC, CDD, EDD, sanctions screening, transaction monitoring, and beneficial ownership investigations.

Deep understanding of UAE AML/CFT regulations and governance best practices. Experience engaging with regulators, auditors, banks, and external stakeholders while managing compliance risk independently.

Knowledge of OECD Due Diligence Guidance, LBMA Responsible Sourcing Standards, commodities trading, mining, or precious metals supply chains would be highly advantageous.

Demonstrated ability to challenge stakeholders, make independent risk-based decisions, and operate confidently in a high-growth, entrepreneurial environment with limited compliance infrastructure.

Job Offer

Opportunity to build and lead a compliance function with significant autonomy and influence over business decisions. International exposure across Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, including potential global travel opportunities.

Skills

• AML
• KYC
• CDD
• EDD
• sanctions screening
• transaction monitoring
• beneficial ownership assessments for high-risk counterparties