First Abu Dhabi Bank
Manager, KYC Review & Approval - PCG
- Permanent
- Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Experience 5 - 10 yrs
Job expiry date: 21/12/2025
Job overview
Date posted
06/11/2025
Location
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Salary
AED 20,000 - 30,000 per month
Compensation
Comprehensive package
Experience
5 - 10 yrs
Seniority
Manager
Qualification
Bachelors degree
Expiration date
21/12/2025
Job description
The Manager, KYC Review & Approval ā PCG at First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) is responsible for leading and managing the end-to-end Know Your Customer (KYC) approval and review process for corporate clients, ensuring adherence to internal policies and regulatory compliance. Operating within the Risk & Control (First Line of Defence) function, this role manages the approval process for new client onboarding, trigger events, and periodic reviews across Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB) divisions. The manager will act as both an individual contributor and a team leader, guiding onshore and offshore KYC operations teams, while coordinating closely with coverage bankers, compliance, and risk stakeholders to ensure timely and compliant client onboarding. Key responsibilities include reviewing account opening documentation, assessing client risk profiles, ensuring alignment with global KYC and AML standards, and escalating high-risk cases to Financial Crime Compliance (FCC) as necessary. The role also involves conducting post-facto transaction reviews for correspondent banks, monitoring nested payments, and ensuring adherence to escalation and abandonment policies. Additionally, the manager supports process improvement, change management, and digital transformation initiatives, including drafting SOPs, checklists, and internal memos. The position demands advanced knowledge of KYC/AML regulations, client structures, correspondent banking principles, and industry compliance frameworks, combined with strong analytical, stakeholder management, and communication skills.
Required skills
Key responsibilities
- Oversee and manage the client onboarding approval process for new, periodic, and trigger event reviews within the Corporate and Investment Banking portfolio.
- Ensure that all clients are onboarded in compliance with FABās KYC and AML standards and within established onboarding timelines.
- Act as a key liaison between coverage bankers, compliance teams, and KYC operations to facilitate seamless client onboarding.
- Review and approve account opening documentation and ensure completeness and compliance with internal and regulatory requirements.
- Perform risk analysis for corporate clients, including correspondent banks, and escalate high-risk cases to the Financial Crime Compliance (FCC) team when necessary.
- Conduct post-facto transaction reviews for correspondent banking clients to identify nested or downstream activities and report potential risks.
- Provide corporate advisory support on KYC risk matters and collaborate on the development of business cases and client selection processes.
- Participate in Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) meetings with correspondent banks and internal compliance teams.
- Support change management initiatives, process automation, and digital transformation projects within the KYC function.
- Develop internal documents such as Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), checklists, and memos to strengthen governance and control frameworks.
- Monitor and report key metrics, including KYC Key Risk Indicators (KRIs), Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and exceptions in CDD tracking systems.
- Prepare and present management information (MI) reports related to KYC onboarding and compliance performance.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders across business lines and supporting functions to drive operational excellence.
- Ensure all KYC activities adhere to UAE and international AML/CFT regulatory requirements and internal FAB policies.
Experience & skills
- Bachelorās degree or higher in Management, Banking, or Finance; certifications in Compliance, KYC/AML/CFT, Financial Crime, or Risk Management are advantageous.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience within an onboarding, KYC, or compliance function in a reputable international bank.
- Strong understanding of AML/KYC regulatory frameworks and corporate client onboarding processes.
- Experience in managing risk within a compliance or financial crime environment, including correspondent banking reviews.
- Familiarity with client structures, funds, brokers, loan agencies, and correspondent banking relationships.
- Ability to conduct risk assessments, analyze complex client documentation, and make sound compliance decisions.
- Experience preparing and maintaining KYC-related KPIs, KRIs, and management reports.
- Strong communication and negotiation skills to manage stakeholder expectations across departments.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and ability to manage digital KYC workflows.
- Proactive, business-oriented mindset with the ability to prioritize competing demands and ensure compliance integrity.
