Head of R⁣ Regulation and Internal Control Middle East

Overview

BBVA is a global banking group with over 160 years of history and operations in more than 25 countries serving more than 80 million customers. The company employs over 121,000 professionals across multidisciplinary teams. We are seeking an experienced professional for the triple‑role of Head of Regulation, Internal Control and Compliance (R&I&C) within the BBVA ADGM Branch.

• Regulatory Liaison:
  Serve as the main point of contact for the FSRA on all compliance matters, thematic reviews, and Requests for Information (RFIs).
• Advisory:
  Advise senior management and business lines on regulatory developments, permissible activities, and new product launches.
• Policy Management:
  Assess, maintain, and update the Compliance Manual and internal policies to ensure alignment with ADGM/FSRA rulebooks.
• Monitoring & Reporting:
  Coordinate compliance risk assessments, monitoring, and testing activities. Generate quarterly reports for the Board and Senior Management.
• Regulation Follow‑up:
  Maintain continuous monitoring of regulatory amendments and evaluate their impact on operational processes, standards, activities, and policies.
• Training:
  Provide annual compliance training to local staff members.
• Data Protection:
  Coordinate and resolve data protection matters, including advising staff, responding to assessment requests, providing training, and handling authority requests.

• Oversight:
  Oversee the day‑to‑day implementation of the AML/CFT framework and sanctions screening.
• Reporting Officer:
  Act as the focal point for the UAE Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). Receive internal Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) from employees, investigate, and file external SARs when appropriate.
• Client Onboarding:
  Advise on and approve the onboarding of high‑risk clients (EDD/KYC) and oversee Customer Due Diligence processes.
• Regulatory Updates:
  Receive and act upon findings, resolutions, or sanctions from local or international regulatory bodies.

• Framework Implementation:
  Ensure the level of non‑financial risks aligns with the Group strategy and supports the development of CIB businesses.
• Risk Identification & Assessment:
  Monitor Risk & Control Self‑Assessments (RCSA), define risk appetite, and monitor indicators under the Risk Control Specialist approach.
• Operational Events:
  Manage the registry, analysis, and reporting of operational losses, events, and near misses.
• Internal Control Coordination:
  Coordinate with the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Lines of Defence to ensure robust process ownership.
• Governance:
  Act as a full member of NFR Committees and admission procedures within CIB.

• Residency:
  Must be a resident of the UAE.
• Approved Person Status:
  Must be eligible to obtain “Approved Person” status from the FSRA.
• Education:
  
  Bachelor’s degree in Law, Economics, Business, or Engineering. A Master’s degree is highly valued.
• Experience:
  
  At least 10 years of experience in internal control, non‑financial risk, audit, compliance, or corporate & investment banking (CIB). Proven experience liaising with regulators (FSRA/DFSA preferred), internal auditors, and external auditors. Experience holding a “Head of Compliance” or “MLRO” title in a regulated financial institution.
• Certifications (Highly Desired):
  • AML/Compliance: CAMS (ACAMS), ICA Diploma in GRC/AML, or CISI (Combatting Financial Crime/Global Financial Compliance).
  • Risk:
    Certifications related to financial markets, risk, or control.
• Skills &
  
  Competencies:
  • Regulatory Knowledge:
    Strong understanding of ADGM/DIFC regulations, UAE Federal AML laws, and international standards.
  • Industry Knowledge:
    Deep understanding of CIB products, activities, and operations.
  • Soft Skills:
    
    Strong interpersonal skills for management of peers, teams, and leadership; proactive improvement orientation; focus on execution.
  • Language Proficiency:
    English (C1/Native, mandatory);
    Arabic (Native/Fluent, highly desirable);
    Spanish (valuable).
  • Technical
    
    Skills:
    
    Anti‑Money Laundering Compliance, Compliance Assessments, Compliance Governance, Customer Due Diligence (CDD), Financial Compliance, Financial Markets, Financial Risk Management (FRM), Identifying Risks, Internal Controls, Risk Assessments, Risk Control, Risk Management, Risk Strategies.