Head of Legal, Compliance and Risk Management

Intelligent Solutions; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 400,000 - 500,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading Insurance brokerage firm in Abu Dhabi is seeking a Head of Legal, Compliance & Risk Management. This senior role involves advising the CEO, developing compliance programs, and overseeing risk management. The ideal candidate has over 10 years of experience in legal and compliance within the insurance sector. Strong negotiation and leadership skills are essential. Significant regulatory knowledge and experience in MEA/UAE are preferred. A competitive compensation package is offered.

Qualifications

• 10+ years’ experience in legal, compliance, governance, and risk management.
• Strong exposure to developed regulatory regimes and MEA / UAE experience.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal and compliance guidance to the CEO and Board.
• Develop and implement comprehensive compliance programs.
• Oversee contracts and agreements, ensuring smooth processes.
• Establish governance frameworks and lead Enterprise Risk Management.
• Act as Board Secretary and manage regulatory relationships.

Skills

Legal and compliance guidance

Risk management

Negotiation

Board facilitation

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in legal, strategic or general management discipline

Insurance qualifications

Job description

General Overview

Intelligent Solutions has partnered with a leading Insurance Brokerage firm in the UAE to hire a Head of Legal, Compliance & Risk Management. This senior role reports directly to the CEO and serves as a key strategic advisor, ensuring the business operates within legal, regulatory, and governance frameworks while safeguarding its reputation and supporting growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide legal and compliance guidance to the CEO, Board, and senior management, aligning business strategies with regulatory requirements.
• Develop and implement comprehensive compliance programs covering AML, sanctions, KYC, CDD, data protection, governance, and risk management.
• Oversee contracts and agreements (review, drafting, negotiation) and introduce standard templates to streamline processes.
• Establish integrated governance frameworks and lead Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), covering operational, financial, legal, strategic, and reputational risks.
• Act as Board Secretary: organize meetings, ensure compliance with governance standards, manage board papers, minutes, resolutions, and corporate filings.
• Manage regulatory relationships, inquiries, and audits; ensure timely and accurate reporting to regulators and the board.
• Lead AML and sanctions compliance programs, including transaction monitoring, client screening, and suspicious activity reporting.
• Oversee data protection, cybersecurity, and information security frameworks, staying ahead of evolving threats and regulations.
• Conduct ongoing regulatory and market research, providing insights on emerging risks, industry trends, and legislative changes.
• Promote a culture of compliance and ethical conduct through training, awareness programs, and proactive risk mitigation.
• Manage relationships with external stakeholders including regulators, auditors, legal advisors, and government authorities.

Key Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (legal, strategic, or general management discipline); Insurance qualifications preferred.
• 10+ years’ experience in legal, compliance, governance, and risk management, ideally in the insurance / reinsurance sector.
• Strong exposure to developed regulatory regimes; MEA / UAE experience preferred; Arabic language is an advantage.
• Demonstrated experience in board facilitation and governance frameworks.
• In-depth knowledge of AML, sanctions, data protection, and risk management practices.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English, with strong negotiation and intercultural competence.
• Strategic thinker with strong analytical, problem-solving, and leadership skills.