Head of Financial Crime Compliance

Title: Head of Financial Crime Compliance Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

About the Client: Our client, a well established bank in Saudi Arabia, is seeking a Head of Financial Crime Compliance to join their team.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of the AML, sanctions, and financial crime compliance framework.
• Manage and develop a team overseeing sanctions advisory, AML monitoring, and compliance intelligence functions.
• Provide expert advice on compliance risks related to products, transactions, and clients, ensuring alignment with local and international regulations.
• Oversee AML transaction monitoring and screening systems, ensuring effective detection, investigation, and escalation of alerts.
• Serve as the primary liaison with regulators, correspondent banks, and internal stakeholders, ensuring timely and comprehensive responses to compliance requests and audits.

Key Requirements

• Bachelor's degree with relevant professional certifications such as ACAMS, ACSS, or CCO.
• 6-8 years experience in financial crime compliance within banking, including senior level leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of SAMA regulations, AML, sanctions, and international financial crime standards.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills with fluency in English and Arabic.
• Proven ability to lead teams, manage multiple priorities, and work independently under tight deadlines.