Regulatory Compliance & Assurance Lead

UNCOVER; Dubai; On-site; AED 450,000 - 750,000; Full time

Job summary

UNCOVER, a leading international law firm in the UAE, seeks a Regulatory Compliance & Assurance Lead to drive the firm’s compliance agenda across the UAE and wider MENA region.

You will advise partners and senior stakeholders on AML, KYC, sanctions and financial crime, monitor regulatory developments and shape governance across multiple jurisdictions, while leading assurance reviews and regulatory reporting to foster a culture of compliance.

Qualifications

• Experience in international or leading law firm.
• Significant regulatory compliance, assurance, audits or reporting experience.
• Strong knowledge of AML/CFT, KYC, sanctions and regulatory frameworks.
• Extensive MENA regional experience and UAE regulatory familiarity.

Responsibilities

• Lead regulatory compliance and assurance across UAE and MENA.
• Advise partners and senior stakeholders on AML, KYC, sanctions and financial crime.
• Monitor regulatory developments and impact on policies and procedures.
• Develop and maintain compliance frameworks, controls and governance.
• Lead assurance reviews, internal audits and thematic reviews.
• Support regulatory reporting and regulatory authority engagements.
• Manage regulatory inspections and information requests.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders across jurisdictions on compliance.
• Guide on client onboarding, AML, KYC and financial crime requirements.
• Identify improvements to strengthen the compliance framework and controls.
• Keep senior stakeholders informed of emerging regulatory risks.

Skills

AML

KYC

Sanctions

Financial crime compliance

Regulatory frameworks

Stakeholder management

MENA experience

Education

Law degree or equivalent

Job description

A leading international law firm is looking for a Regulatory Compliance & Assurance Lead to join its team in the UAE.

Previous experience within a law firm is essential for this Regulatory Compliance & Assurance Lead role. The successful candidate will bring strong technical expertise across AML, KYC, sanctions, financial crime compliance and regulatory frameworks, alongside significant MENA regional experience and the ability to advise partners and senior stakeholders across a multi-jurisdictional business.

Key Responsibilities Regulatory Compliance & Assurance Lead role:

• Lead and oversee regulatory compliance and assurance activity across the UAE and wider MENA region.
• Provide expert advice to partners, senior lawyers and business stakeholders on regulatory compliance, AML, KYC, sanctions and financial crime matters.
• Monitor and assess regulatory developments and their impact on the firm's operations, policies and procedures.
• Develop and maintain effective compliance frameworks, controls, policies and governance processes.
• Lead compliance assurance reviews, internal audits and thematic reviews, identifying areas of risk and recommending appropriate improvements.
• Support regulatory reporting and engagement with relevant regulatory authorities.
• Manage and support regulatory inspections, enquiries and requests for information.
• Work closely with internal stakeholders to ensure compliance with applicable regulatory requirements across multiple jurisdictions.
• Provide guidance on client onboarding, KYC, AML, sanctions and broader financial crime compliance requirements.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen and improve the firm's compliance framework, processes and controls.
• Keep senior stakeholders informed of emerging regulatory risks, developments and areas requiring attention.
• Promote a strong culture of compliance and ensure regulatory requirements are embedded effectively across the business.

Key Requirements:

• A qualified lawyer/solicitor or legal professional background with experience within an international or leading law firm.
• Significant experience in regulatory compliance, compliance assurance, internal audit, investigations and/or regulatory reporting.
• Strong technical knowledge of AML/CFT, KYC, sanctions, financial crime compliance and regulatory frameworks.
• Strong MENA regional experience, with a detailed understanding of the regulatory landscape across the UAE and wider region.

This is an excellent opportunity for a compliance professional to take on an exciting role within a leading international law firm, working closely with senior stakeholders and playing a key role in shaping the firm's regulatory compliance and assurance framework across the MENA region.