Specialist, FCC Controls (UAE National)

Standard Chartered; Dubai; Hybrid; AED 300,000 - 540,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Generous leave

Hybrid working

Wellbeing resources

Learning & development

Job summary

Standard Chartered is seeking a Specialist in Financial Crime Compliance Controls to fortify the bank’s defences against financial crime in UAE operations. The role involves shaping FCR strategy with regional leadership and engaging diverse stakeholders to align with global and local regulatory expectations.

You will oversee policy adherence, risk assessments, and case management while promoting a culture of compliance and continuous improvement within the UAE team.

Qualifications

• Strong command of written and spoken English and Arabic in UAE clinical teams and regulators.
• Relevant academic degree in finance, law, business or allied area with foundation in financial crime and compliance.
• Professional credentials in compliance or financial crime prevention (CAMS/ICA) valued.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development on regulatory changes and best practices in financial crime risk management.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with senior leadership to shape and execute the UAE FCR strategy.
• Serve as liaison between Financial Crime Risk teams and regional business units.
• Lead enforcement of FCR policies across UAE operations.
• Maintain knowledge of CDD, client risk assessments and transaction monitoring systems.
• Oversee case data quality and coordinate with legal advisors on complex queries.

Skills

Regulatory compliance

Risk assessment

Stakeholder management

Investigative skills

Regulator engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance/law/business

CAMS/ICA certifications

Tools

CDD systems

Transaction monitoring software

Legal collaboration tools

Job description

Key Responsibilities

As a Specialist in Financial Crime Compliance Controls (FCC Controls), specifically supporting UAE nationals, this role is pivotal in fortifying our defence against financial crime and ensuring strict regulatory adherence within Standard Chartered's UAE operations. You will engage in a broad spectrum of activities designed to uphold the integrity of the bank's financial crime controls and embed a culture of compliance throughout the organisation. Your responsibilities will include:

• Strategic Partnership: Collaborate intimately with senior leadership teams to shape, promote, and execute the Financial Crime Risk (FCR) strategy tailored to the UAE market, ensuring it aligns with the Group's global vision and regional growth ambitions.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Advisory: Serve as the dedicated liaison between Financial Crime Risk teams and business units within the region. Respond promptly to enquiries, provide clear guidance, and interpret regulatory updates to inform business decisions that mitigate financial crime exposure.
• Compliance Oversight: Lead the enforcement of FCR policies and standards, monitoring adherence across all banking operations in the UAE to safeguard regulatory compliance and reduce financial crime risks effectively.
• Risk Assessment and Intelligence: Maintain expert knowledge of CDD processes, Client Risk Assessments, transaction monitoring and alert management systems. Deliver comprehensive intelligence reporting on client typologies, emerging risks, and regulatory trends to key stakeholders.
• Case Management and Legal Collaboration: Oversee the quality and accuracy of case data within enterprise systems, and collaborate closely with legal advisors to address complex or technical compliance queries, facilitating timely and effective resolution.
• Culture and Talent Development: Promote a transparent, ethical workplace culture emphasizing risk awareness and compliance best practices. Advocate for continuous learning and professional growth within the team, encouraging openness and trust.
• Continuous Improvement: Identify opportunities to enhance processes, systems, and controls within FCC frameworks, supporting ongoing organisational resilience against evolving financial crime threats.

In this role, your proactive stewardship will be fundamental to protecting the bank's reputation and ensuring compliance in a nuanced and fast-changing regulatory environment.

Skills And Experience

The ideal candidate will bring a rich blend of specialised skills and practical experience pertinent to financial crime risk management and compliance standards. Key competencies include:

• Regulatory Conduct Management: Proven success in upholding and influencing ethical conduct and regulatory compliance frameworks within dynamic financial institutions.
• Comprehensive Risk Assessment: Skilled in identifying, evaluating, and mitigating complex compliance and financial crime risks through robust control environments.
• Stakeholder Relationship Management: Adept at engaging diverse stakeholders — from regulators to internal business partners — providing expert guidance and building trusted partnerships.
• Compliance Monitoring and Assurance: Experience in conducting reviews, audits, and compliance assurance activities that ensure operational adherence to regulatory standards.
• Investigative Acumen: Ability to manage complex investigations with impartiality, ensuring thorough resolution that aligns with both regulatory and organisational requirements.
• Regulator Engagement: Skilled in navigating regulatory inquiries and fostering transparent, constructive compliance dialogues.
• Change Leadership: Track record of leading compliance-related change initiatives and projects that enhance organizational controls and effectiveness in fast-evolving environments.

Adept communication skills are essential to translate complex regulatory requirements into actionable business practices, facilitating compliance awareness and adherence at all levels.

Qualifications

Successful incumbents will typically hold:

• Strong command of both written and spoken English and Arabic to interact effectively across multicultural teams and with regulatory authorities in the UAE.
• A relevant academic degree in disciplines such as finance, law, business administration or an allied area, demonstrating foundational knowledge applicable to financial crime and compliance.
• Professional credentials in compliance or financial crime prevention are highly valued — examples include CAMS (Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist), ICA certifications or equivalent recognised qualifications.
• Evidence of continuous professional development that reflects staying abreast of emerging trends, regulatory changes and best practices in financial crime risk management.
• Experience or training focused on UAE-specific legal and regulatory frameworks will bolster candidacy, enhancing local market effectiveness and compliance proficiency.

About Standard Chartered

Standard Chartered is a leading international banking group with a proud heritage spanning over 170 years. We are uniquely positioned by our extensive global network and deep local insights, allowing us to serve clients and communities with agility and scale.

Our culture is built on challenging the status quo, embracing innovation and fostering an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives are valued and harnessed. We are committed to advancing sustainable growth and prosperity for our clients and employees alike.

Living Our Purpose To Drive Commerce And Prosperity Through Our Unique Diversity Is Central To How We Operate. Our Values Inspire Us To

• Do the right thing: Conduct business ethically, challenge constructively, and place clients at the core.
• Never settle: Embrace continuous improvement, innovation and simplification to meet evolving needs.
• Be better together: Value inclusivity, respect individuality, and collaborate to build sustainable, long-term success.

Joining Standard Chartered means becoming part of a forward-thinking, impactful organisation where your unique talents are celebrated and your contributions help shape the future of banking.

What We Offer

Aligned with our commitment to fair and competitive compensation, our rewards package supports your holistic wellbeing and professional growth, including:

• Comprehensive benefits: Including core bank-funded retirement savings, medical coverage and life insurance, complemented by flexible voluntary benefits tailored to individual needs.
• Generous leave entitlements: Offering annual leave alongside parental and maternity leave (up to 20 weeks), sabbaticals (up to 12 months), and volunteering leave (3 days), with a minimum 30 days combined annual and public holidays.
• Flexibility: We provide options for hybrid working arrangements, balancing office presence with home-based work to support work-life balance.
• Wellbeing and support: Proactive mental health resources through platforms like Unmind, comprehensive employee assistance programmes, mental health first-aiders, and various resilience-building courses.
• Learning and development: Access to a rich portfolio of physical, virtual, and digital learning opportunities designed to support your continuous professional development and career progression.
• Inclusive culture: A respectful environment where diversity is embraced and all colleagues are empowered to achieve their potential in a values-driven organisation.