Job description

The Head of Compliance Models & Analytics at Commercial Bank of Dubai is responsible for owning, managing, and optimizing the compliance models, data, management information (MI), and reporting framework within the Compliance department. The role focuses on developing, maintaining, and enhancing key compliance models used in transaction monitoring systems, customer screening systems, and payment screening systems to support financial crime risk management. Responsibilities include applying data analytics methodologies to large volumes of customer and transaction data to identify trends and typologies and generate actionable insights supporting compliance activities such as transaction monitoring, sanctions screening, and due diligence. The position oversees the production of periodic and ad hoc MI reports for the Chief Compliance Officer (CCO), senior management forums, and the Board, ensuring high-quality reporting and analysis. The role also manages configuration of screening lists used for customer and transaction screening, collaborates with AML/CFT units to develop and update transaction monitoring scenarios addressing money laundering and terrorism financing risks, and works with the Sanctions unit to optimize screening system rules and detection accuracy while reducing false positives. Additional responsibilities include monitoring effectiveness of transaction monitoring and screening configurations, ensuring coverage of relevant customers and transactions, conducting testing of compliance systems and data flows to validate completeness and accuracy from primary source systems, coordinating independent validation activities with external parties, and liaising with regulators including the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE), internal audit, and CMAT units. The position also leads system upgrades and enhancements, prepares Business Requirement Documents (BRD) and process documentation, escalates system control and compliance issues, ensures systems align with UAE regulatory requirements and international standards including FATF and Wolfsberg recommendations, and proposes enhancements to strengthen financial crime risk management. The role provides assurance to the CEO and Board regarding effectiveness of compliance systems, guides AML/CFT and sanctions analysts in interpreting system outputs, and manages resources to prioritize system enhancements and operational efficiency.