Compliance Officer

Franklin Templeton Investments; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 260,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

Franklin Templeton Investments in Saudi Arabia seeks a Compliance Officer to lead regulatory adherence for the KSA entity. The role requires delivering expert regulatory guidance to senior management, acting as MLRO, and collaborating with HR, Risk, and business units to manage compliance risks.

The incumbent will oversee monitoring programmes, ensure regulatory reporting, and serve as the CMA liaison to uphold licensing requirements and industry standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent business experience.
• At least five years’ experience in financial services, including compliance or regulatory
• Must hold the CMA licences/authorisations.
• Extensive knowledge of local KSA regulatory framework and regulatory examination/inspection processes.
• Fluency in Arabic and English; strong written and verbal communication.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and enhance the Compliance Framework aligned with regulatory requirements and business objectives.
• Serve as the registered MLRO for the KSA entity, ensuring statutory obligations are met.
• Provide expert regulatory advice to senior management and employees.
• Advise on risk management processes and ensure risks are identified and mitigated.
• Lead compliance risk assessments for new products, business activities, and organizational changes.
• Oversee the Compliance and Risk Monitoring Programme and remediation tracking.
• Act as the primary regulatory liaison with CMA and relevant industry bodies.

Skills

Arabic & English fluency

Analytical & judgment skills

Presentation skills

Written & verbal communication

Regulatory knowledge

Stakeholder collaboration

Multitasking

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Job description

At Franklin Templeton, we believe success is built through powerful partnerships. As a forward thinking asset manager, we build dynamic relationships with clients, understand their goals, and navigate complex markets together. We leverage cutting edge strategies and deep insights to unlock opportunities for long term wealth creation. Our talented, global teams bring expertise that is both broad and unique. From our welcoming, inclusive, and supportive culture to our globally diverse business, we offer opportunities not only to help you reach your potential, but also to contribute to our clients’ success.

About the department:

Franklin Templeton has operated in the Middle East region for over 20 years, including through our KSA office, which was established in 2023. The KSA entity is licensed by the Capital Market Authority of Saudi Arabia (“CMA”) to manage investments and operate funds, with a mix of separate account mandates and private funds managed by the KSA entity. Global Compliance is a global team of more than 100 professionals who help Franklin Templeton manage compliance risk and maintain adherence to applicable laws, regulations, industry standards, and codes of conduct. The team partners closely with business, risk, legal, and audit functions to protect the firm’s reputation and support its long-term success. The KSA Compliance Officer is responsible for assisting senior management in ensuring that the KSA entity adheres to, and operates within, its specific licence requirements, as well as the ongoing regulatory compliance obligations of local regulatory bodies. This position reports to the VP, Global Compliance, Middle East and Africa, based in London. The Compliance Officer will be responsible for initiating compliance processes, policies and procedures for the KSA entity, while working closely with senior management of the KSA business units.

How you will add value?

Maintain and enhance the Compliance Framework, ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements, industry best practice, and business objectives, including board and regulatory reporting obligations. Serve as the registered Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO), fulfilling all statutory and regulatory responsibilities for the KSA entity. Provide expert compliance and regulatory advice to senior management and employees, supporting informed decision-making and adherence to applicable laws, rules, and standards. Advise on the effectiveness of risk management processes, ensuring key risks are appropriately identified, assessed, mitigated, and managed in line with regulatory expectations. Partner with senior stakeholders, HR, and Risk teams to develop and deliver compliance and risk training programs that promote a strong culture of compliance and accountability. Lead compliance and corporate risk assessments, proactively identifying and evaluating risks arising from new products, business activities, client relationships, and organisational change. Oversee the implementation and execution of the Compliance and Risk Monitoring Programme, ensuring findings are effectively reported and remediation actions are tracked to completion. Act as the primary regulatory liaison with the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and relevant industry bodies, fostering strong stakeholder relationships and representing the organisation on compliance and regulatory matters.

What will help you be successful in this role?

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent business experience.
• At least five years’ experience in the financial services industry, including related compliance or regulatory experience.
• Candidate must hold the necessary CMA licences / authorisations.
• Extensive knowledge of the local KSA regulatory framework, regulatory examination / inspection processes, and applicable rules and regulations.
• Solid understanding of the Financial Services industry, specifically regarding asset management of mutual funds and institutional business.
• Proficient written and verbal communication skills, with fluency in Arabic and English.
• Strong presentation skills, including experience presenting at staff meetings, cross-functional meetings, management meetings and training sessions.
• Ability to develop solid partnerships with the business units.
• Strong analytical and judgement skills.
• Ability to provide business partners with the necessary technical guidance to perform their job responsibilities.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced team environment and work collaboratively as a team player.

Franklin Templeton is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees, and we evaluate qualified applicants without regard to ancestry, age, color, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, or gender expression, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law, ordinance, or regulation.