KYC Operations Lead — UAE Nationals

Citigroup Inc.; Dubai; On-site; AED 300,000 - 540,000; Full time

Job summary

Citigroup Inc. is seeking an experienced KYC Operations Manager to lead a team delivering AML monitoring, governance, oversight and regulatory reporting in coordination with Compliance and Control.

You will develop and manage Citi's internal KYC program, drive BAU/Refresh migrations, and ensure SLAs and risk controls are consistently met. The role requires strong leadership, program management, and SME capabilities across KYC, regulatory requirements, and client lifecycle management, with a

Qualifications

• 5-8 years of experience

Responsibilities

• Manage and lead KYC operations, including executing processes in accordance with Citi compliance policies and overseeing the KYC control environment.
• Lead and oversee program management of existing KYC BAU and Refresh processes, while driving migration and integration of additional functions into the global operating model.
• Provide effective people leadership, including performance management, coaching, and development of team members, while ensuring all SLAs and operational standards are consistently met.
• Serve as a key liaison between Compliance, Business, and Senior Management stakeholders, ensuring alignment on regulatory requirements, risk management priorities, and operational objectives.
• Oversee new client onboarding activities and drive process improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing efficiency, strengthening controls, and improving the client onboarding experience.
• Deliver accurate and timely MIS reporting to senior management, providing insights into performance, risks, and key metrics, while ensuring delivery against BAU and Refresh Program targets.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, internal policies, and control standards, while proactively identifying and mitigating operational, compliance, and reputational risks.
• Drive operational excellence through continuous process optimization, stakeholder engagement, and implementation of strategic initiatives supporting the firm's KYC and client lifecycle management objectives.
• Monitor account refresh activities daily to ensure all regulatory, compliance, and documentation requirements are completed within established timelines.
• Conduct quality assurance reviews of new client onboarding and periodic refresh cases, ensuring adherence to Citi policies, regulatory requirements, and established quality standards prior to case closure.
• Maintain and manage the Book of Work for system releases, process enhancements, and infrastructure improvements, ensuring successful implementation and stakeholder alignment.
• Demonstrate the ability to operate with limited supervision, exercising sound judgment, initiative, and accountability in day-to-day decision-making.
• Exercise a high degree of independence, judgment, and autonomy in managing complex cases, operational issues, and stakeholder interactions.
• Serve as a Subject Matter Expert (SME), providing guidance, training, and support to senior stakeholders and team members on KYC, regulatory, and operational matters.
• Lead and manage teams effectively by fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and high performance.
• Proactively identify, assess, and manage risks associated with client onboarding, account maintenance, and KYC processes, ensuring appropriate escalation and resolution of issues.
• Safeguard Citi, its clients, and assets by ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and control requirements, while maintaining high standards of professional conduct and ethical behavior.
• Promote a strong risk and control culture by transparently escalating, managing, and reporting control issues, ensuring effective oversight of team activities and accountability for maintaining established standards.
• Partner with key stakeholders across Compliance, AML, Operations, and Business teams to drive regulatory compliance, operational excellence, and continuous process improvement initiatives.
• Ensure delivery of team objectives, quality metrics, productivity targets, and service level agreements while supporting strategic business and regulatory priorities.

Education

Bachelor's degree/University degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Citigroup Inc. is seeking an experienced KYC Operations Manager to lead a team delivering AML monitoring, governance, oversight and regulatory reporting in coordination with Compliance and Control.

You will develop and manage Citi's internal KYC program, drive BAU/Refresh migrations, and ensure SLAs and risk controls are consistently met. The role requires strong leadership, program management, and SME capabilities across KYC, regulatory requirements, and client lifecycle management, with a