Senior Compliance Manager

j. awan capital; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 380,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

j. awan & partners in Saudi Arabia seeks an experienced Compliance Leader to serve as outsourced Compliance Officer and MLRO for client mandates, delivering timely regulatory obligations and strong governance.

You will lead AML/CTF policy development, licensing delivery, and regulatory liaison, building trusted relationships with regulators and clients across the MENA region. Minimum 6 years in financial services compliance, CMA-regulated exposure, and a Bachelor’s degree are required; excellent

Qualifications

• Minimum 6 years of industry experience in financial services compliance.
• Experience dealing with regulators in KSA and wider MENA region.
• Proven ability to develop and implement regulatory compliance programmes.
• Strong CMA-regulated entity experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead compliance and MLRO engagements for client mandates.
• Develop and implement AML/CTF policies and procedures.
• Manage regulatory licensing and timely submissions for clients.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with regulators and clients.

Skills

Adaptability

Collaboration

Analytical

Communication

Regulatory Expertise

Compliance Program Development

Stakeholder Liaison

Independent Working

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

At j. awan & partners, we believe in "challenging the status quo every day," delivering seamless excellence to our customers across the world. We challenge the status quo by making tailor-made solutions to meet the specific requirements of our client's business interests and delivering our solutions to their needs with effective simplicity. We understand that time is precious and as such our tailor-made solutions are simple to understand, simple to embed and simple to use.

We are a fast-growing international Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) Consultancy with our headquarters in the Dubai International Finance Centre (DIFC). We also have our own Technology company creating bespoke innovative RegTech solutions. Our business presence covers multiple jurisdictions with offices in the UAE, KSA, UK & Ireland, Singapore, Pakistan, Qatar and South Africa. We provide Regulatory Governance, Risk, Compliance, Finance, Recruitment and Technology services (the "Services") to a large number of clients including global, regional, and local financial services institutions, governments, and other industry partners. As part of our global expansion plan, we are now looking for an ambitious and agile leader with a strong background in compliance to join our KSA team.

Mission / Purpose of the Role

You will contribute to our clients' success by structuring and monitoring fit-for-purpose regulatory compliance and anti-money laundering programmes. In addition, you will support the growth of JAP's compliance practice by strengthening client relationships, identifying opportunities to expand service offerings, and contributing to the continuous development of our compliance capabilities.

12-18 Month Mission Outcomes ("What Success Looks Like")

Business Development & Growth

• Leverage global relationships to source and secure new business.
• Acquire new client mandates through relationship-based opportunities.
• Achieve measurable revenue growth linked to new business development.

Client Acquisition & Market Presence

• Successfully onboard new clients.
• Strengthen J. Awan & Partners' market presence within KSA operating jurisdictions.
• Increase market share and brand recognition.
• Receive positive client onboarding feedback.

Client Relationship Management

• Strengthen existing client relationships through exceptional stakeholder management.
• Achieve high client satisfaction scores.
• Secure repeat business and maintain strong client retention trends.

Brand Representation & Industry Engagement

• Represent J. Awan & Partners as a brand ambassador at industry events.
• Participate actively in conferences, forums, and networking events.
• Convert engagements and networking opportunities into new business leads.
• Increase brand visibility within the market.

Regulatory Licensing Delivery

• Deliver all required regulatory licenses for clients efficiently and effectively.
• Ensure all licensing applications are submitted and approved within expected timelines.
• Maintain zero rejected or delayed regulatory applications.

Compliance Leadership (CO & MLRO Functions)

• Perform effectively as outsourced Compliance Officer and MLRO.
• Deliver timely and accurate completion of all regulatory obligations.
• Maintain strong compliance frameworks with no compliance gaps.
• Achieve positive client evaluations for compliance services.

Regulatory Relationship Management

• Serve as a trusted liaison between clients and relevant regulators.
• Maintain strong working relationships with regulators.
• Ensure smooth and efficient resolution of regulatory queries.

Compliance Service Delivery

• Provide outstanding day-to-day compliance support to clients.
• Deliver all compliance tasks and regulatory deliverables on time.
• Maintain high client service ratings.

Policy & AML/CTF Framework Management

• Draft, implement, and manage compliance and AML/CTF policies and procedures.
• Ensure policies are updated promptly following regulatory changes.
• Successfully implement regulatory frameworks across client mandates.

Compliance & Governance Training

• Deliver compliance, AML, and corporate governance training sessions.
• Increase client awareness and understanding of regulatory obligations.
• Achieve strong training feedback scores.

Regulatory Monitoring

• Stay current with applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
• Ensure all client compliance programmes are updated immediately when regulations change.
• Provide coaching and development to team members.
• Improve overall team capability and performance.
• Ensure team members meet KPIs and performance standards.
• Maintain strong feedback scores from direct reports.

Key Accountabilities

Business Development & Client Acquisition

• Leverage global relationships to source and secure new business opportunities.
• Support the firm in onboarding new clients and expanding market share.
• Increase the firm's visibility and presence within operating jurisdictions.

Success Indicators

• New client mandates secured
• Successful onboarding of new clients
• Increased market visibility and brand presence

Client Relationship Management & Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain strong client relationships through industry-leading stakeholder management.
• Act as an ambassador for J. Awan & Partners at industry and promotional events.
• Strengthen client engagement and trust.

Success Indicators

• High client satisfaction and retention rates
• Increased brand recognition through events

Regulatory Licensing & Compliance Operations

• Deliver all required regulatory licenses for clients efficiently.
• Provide high-quality day-to-day compliance support to clients.
• Ensure smooth execution of regulatory processes.

Success Indicators

• All licensing applications approved on time
• Timely completion of compliance deliverables
• Serve as outsourced Compliance Officer and MLRO for clients.
• Act as the primary liaison with regulators.
• Draft, implement, and manage AML/CTF policies and procedures.
• Ensure all frameworks remain aligned with regulatory requirements.

Success Indicators

• Strong regulator and client feedback
• Policies consistently updated with regulatory changes
• Accurate and timely regulatory submissions

People, Culture & Talent Development

• Promote and reinforce the J. Awan & Partners culture and brand internally and externally.
• Support the attraction and retention of high-quality talent.
• Deliver compliance, AML, and governance training.
• Coach and develop team members to drive high performance.

Success Indicators

• Positive internal culture feedback
• Strong talent retention and capability growth
• Increased team engagement and performance

Core Competencies

• Adaptability & Problem-Solving: A highly capable individual who can overcome challenges, adjust to new ways of working, and consistently deliver results in dynamic regulatory environments.
• Collaboration & Partnership Building: Proven ability to build strong partnerships, collaborate effectively, and influence clients, team members, and regulators.
• Analytical Excellence: Demonstrates strong analytical skills with the ability to assess complex regulatory issues, interpret data, and make informed compliance decisions.
• Communication Mastery: Exceptional oral and written communication skills, with the ability to interact professionally and confidently at all levels internally and with clients, auditors, and regulators.
• Regulatory & Compliance Expertise: Significant demonstrable experience in dealing with regulatory authorities within the KSA and wider MENA region, with strong working knowledge of financial services regulatory environments.
• Compliance Program Development & Execution: Equipped to perform MLRO responsibilities, including investigations, SAR reporting, and oversight of CDD/EDD and monitoring processes.
• Independence & Self-Motivation: A highly motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently, manage sensitive matters, and problem-solve without constant supervision.
• Stakeholder Influence & Liaison Skills: Demonstrated capability in managing relationships with regulators, clients, and internal teams, acting as a trusted compliance advisor.

Skills and Knowledge

• Organisational & Time Management: Strong ability to organise tasks, prioritise effectively, manage deadlines, and maintain structured compliance workflows.
• Risk & Regulatory Awareness: Up-to-date knowledge of regulatory requirements, AML/CTF obligations, and risk indicators to support effective monitoring and oversight.
• High-Pressure Execution: Significant ability to perform well in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple compliance deliverables simultaneously.
• Professional Integrity & Accountability: Maintains confidentiality, demonstrates reliability, follows instructions with discipline, and upholds ethical and professional standards across all responsibilities.

Education

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree from a leading university.
• Preferred fields of study: Law, Finance, Accounting, or Economics.

Industry & Regulatory Experience

• Minimum 6 years of industry experience, including direct compliance experience within the financial services sector.
• Strong, demonstrable experience engaging with regulatory authorities in KSA and the wider MENA region.
• Proven experience developing and implementing regulatory compliance programmes within a financial services organisation.
• Prior experience working with CMA-regulated entities is required.

Professional Certifications (Highly Desired)

• CAMS (Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist)
• CISI (Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment)
• ICA (International Compliance Association)