Senior Manager Regulatory Compliance

Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank; Abu Dhabi; Hybrid; AED 558,000 - 893,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Life insurance

Paid leave

Leave airfare

Staff discounts

Education assistance

Flexible remote work

Learning & development

Job summary

Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank is seeking a Senior Manager in Regulatory Compliance to lead end-to-end regulatory change initiatives, align governance, and coordinate across Compliance, Legal, Risk, IT, and business units in Abu Dhabi.

The role requires extensive UAE regulatory knowledge and proven project leadership within a banking context, delivering robust control processes and effective risk management.

Qualifications

• At least 7 years in banking/financial services with 5–6 years in regulatory compliance or regulatory change management.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field is mandatory.
• Strong working knowledge of UAE regulations (CBUAE, CMA) and AML/CFT.
• Proven experience leading complex regulatory implementation projects in a UAE bank.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to influence and collaborate with senior stakeholders.
• Strong organisational and prioritisation skills across multiple workstreams.
• Proactive, solution-oriented and able to work in a fast-paced regulatory environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end identification, assessment, planning, implementation, and tracking of regulatory changes.
• Coordinate cross-functional working groups involving Compliance, Legal, Risk, Operations, IT, Finance, and business units.
• Maintain a Regulatory Change Inventory / Tracker and provide MIS to senior management.
• Support internal and external audits and regulatory examinations related to change management.
• Provide expert advisory to business on interpretation and application of new regulatory requirements.
• Act as liaison between Compliance and business stakeholders to facilitate smooth implementation.
• Contribute to Regulatory Compliance Risk Assessments and enhance governance frameworks.

Skills

Regulatory Compliance

Stakeholder Management

Project Management

Communication

Analytical Thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Embark on a journey where your unique contributions are celebrated, and your professional growth is embraced. At ADCB, we nurture a diverse, inclusive community where every voice is valued.

About the business area, Group Compliance & Governance:

Compliance is an independent function at ADCB which takes an active approach to risk management and monitoring, ensuring the Bank complies with applicable laws, regulations, rules and market standards. The Group creates, implements and monitors policies and procedures designed to prevent or detect financial crime and any compliance breaches of the Bank, its employees and clients. It also monitors and measures the impact of conduct risk and compliance on the Bank’s risk appetite and profile.

In this role, your key responsibilities include:

• Senior Manager – Regulatory Compliance is responsible for leading the end-to-end identification, assessment, planning, implementation, and tracking of regulatory changes impacting the Bank. The role ensures timely, complete, and effective implementation of regulatory requirements issued by the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE), Capital Market Authority (CMA), and other relevant local and international regulators, while maintaining strong governance and control standards.

Regulatory Horizon Scanning & Impact Assessment

• Continuously monitor regulatory developments from CBUAE, SCA, FATF-related bodies, and other relevant authorities.
• Conduct thorough impact assessments of new and amended regulations across business lines, products, processes, systems, and policies.
• Prioritise regulatory changes based on risk, complexity, and implementation timelines.

Regulatory Implementation Management

• Lead the development and execution of detailed regulatory implementation plans.
• Coordinate cross-functional working groups involving Compliance, Legal, Risk, Operations, IT, Finance, and business units.
• Ensure clear ownership, milestones, deliverables, and accountability for each regulatory change.
• Track implementation progress and elevate delays or issues to senior management in a timely manner.

Governance & Reporting

• Maintain a comprehensive Regulatory Change Inventory / Tracker.
• Prepare high-quality MIS and status reports for Senior Management, Compliance Committee, and Board Risk/Compliance Committees.
• Support internal and external audits and regulatory examinations related to change management effectiveness.

Advisory & Stakeholder Management

• Provide expert advice to business and support functions on the interpretation and practical application of new regulatory requirements.
• Act as a key liaison between Compliance and business stakeholders to facilitate smooth implementation.
• Challenge and support the first line of defence in embedding regulatory requirements into day-to-day operations.

Policy, Process & Control Alignment

• Ensure policies, procedures, and internal controls are updated to reflect new regulatory obligations.
• Support the design and implementation of enhanced controls arising from regulatory changes.
• Contribute to Regulatory Compliance Risk Assessments related to change management.
• Enhance the Bank’s Regulatory Change Management Framework, methodologies, and tools.
• Drive process efficiencies and improve the quality and consistency of impact assessments and implementation tracking.

Regulatory Compliance Risk Assessment

• Lead Enterprise-Wide Regulatory Compliance Risk Assessments Conduct and oversee compliance risk assessments across all business and support functions.
• Identify and Assess Regulatory Risks Proactively identify emerging and existing regulatory compliance risks arising from regulatory changes, products, services, processes, systems, and outsourcing arrangements, and assess their potential impact on the Bank.
• Challenge and Validate Control Effectiveness Independently challenge business and support functions on risk ratings, control design, and control effectiveness to ensure regulatory obligations are adequately managed and mitigated.
• Report and Escalate Material Compliance Risks Prepare risk assessments, management information, and governance reports, ensuring significant compliance risks, control weaknesses, and regulatory breaches are escalated to senior management and relevant committees.

The ideal candidate should have the following experience

• At least 7 years of experience in banking/Financial Services sector with at least 5- 6 years in Regulatory Compliance, Regulatory Affairs, or Regulatory Change Management.
• Bachelor’s degree in related field - mandatory
• Strong working knowledge of CBUAE regulations, CMA rules, AML/CFT requirements, and broader UAE regulatory landscape.
• Proven experience leading complex regulatory implementation projects in a UAE bank.
• Excellent understanding of regulatory change lifecycle and project management methodologies.
• Strong analytical and impact assessment capabilities.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to influence and collaborate effectively with senior stakeholders across the organisation.
• Strong organisational and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously.
• Proactive, solution-oriented, and comfortable working in a fast-paced regulatory environment.

What we offer:

• Competitive Salary & Additionally, all employees are eligible to participate in one of our rewarding variable pay plans.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package: This includes market-leading medical insurance, group life and personal accident insurance, paid leave and leave airfare, employee preferential rates on loans and finance facilities, staff discounts and offers, and children education assistance (for certain job levels).
• Flexible and Remote Working Options: We understand the importance of work-life balance and offer flexible working arrangements, subject to eligibility and job requirements.
• Learning and Development Opportunities: We value and facilitate continuous learning and personal development through a variety of exciting learning opportunities, such as structured instructor-led courses, a comprehensive e-learning catalog, on-the-job training, and professional development programs.

At ADCB, we are dedicated to creating a respectful, caring and disciplined work environment that aligns with your career ambitions.