At a glanceSummarised by Seekless from the posting.
Must have28
15+ years of total professional experience
10+ years in FCC advisory / consulting
5+ years selling FCC advisory projects to banks and financial institutions
10+ years delivering FCC engagements end to end
Proven experience working with local GCC banks
Track record of building and managing a team
Demonstrated management of client accounts generating USD 1 million+ per annum
Deep, hands-on expertise across all FCC domains listed
Experience with sanctions screening systems (e.g. Fircosoft/Accuity, Oracle OFAC)
Experience with transaction monitoring systems (e.g. SAS AML, NICE Actimize, Oracle FCCM, Temenos, FIS MANTAS)
At least one full system selection and one implementation/configuration engagement
Knowledge of Saudi Arabia SAMA AML/CFT Framework, Rules Governing AML/CFT, Sanctions Rules, CDD Requirements
Knowledge of UAE CBUAE AML/CFT Regulations, SCA Requirements, UAE Cabinet Decisions on AML/CFT
Working familiarity with CBB (Bahrain), CBK (Kuwait), CBO (Oman), QCB (Qatar)
Knowledge of FATF 40 Recommendations, Mutual Evaluation Reports, and Guidance Papers
Knowledge of global reference context: EU AML Directives, OFAC, UK Sanctions, Wolfsberg Principles
Must have built at least one digital/technology-enabled FCC advisory solution and taken it to market
Strong understanding of how RegTech, AI/ML, and automation are transforming financial crime risk management
Knowledge of data science concepts and tools (Python preferred) applied to FCC analytics
Ability to articulate, demo, and sell data-driven FCC solutions to both C-suite and technical buyers
Highly motivated, self-driven, and proactive
Genuinely passionate about building and scaling a financial crime advisory practice
Quality-conscious with exceptional attention to detail
Commercially savvy
A trusted relationship builder with a credible personal brand in the GCC banking and regulatory ecosystem
A confident communicator at all levels, both written and verbal
A natural leader who mentors others and invests in their team's growth
Resilient and energised by the challenges of a fast-moving regulatory environment
Nice to have4
Arabic language proficiency (professional/business level)
Python skills applied to FCC analytics
Background from a Big 4 firm, global management consultancy, or specialist FCC advisory firm
Prior experience at or with an FCC technology vendor (e.g. Accuity, SAS, Actimize, Oracle)
Skills
Python
Fircosoft
Accuity
Oracle OFAC
SAS AML
NICE Actimize
Oracle FCCM
Temenos
FIS MANTAS
RegTech
AI
ML
Network Analysis
Transaction Analytics
Model Performance Testing
Alert Optimisation
About the role
About the role
We are looking for an exceptional Director to lead and grow a Financial Crime Compliance (FCC) Advisory practice based in Saudi Arabia, with reach across the wider GCC region. This is a senior, client-facing role that combines deep regulatory expertise with hands-on delivery and entrepreneurial business development.
The successful candidate will be a self-driven practitioner with a proven track record of winning and delivering significant FCC advisory mandates for banks and financial institutions in the GCC. You will be passionate about building a thriving FCC advisory practice for the long term, and will bring equal parts commercial drive, technical depth, and delivery discipline.
The role is a 50/50 split between business development and project delivery. You will be expected to manage and grow a team while personally overseeing the quality and execution of client engagements.
Responsibilities
Key responsibilities
Business development & practice growth (50%)
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Own and drive the end-to-end business development lifecycle for FCC advisory services across Saudi Arabia, with visibility across the GCC.
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Build, maintain, and expand a strong network of C-suite, CCO, CMLCO, and senior compliance relationships at local and international banks, payment firms, and financial institutions.
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Proactively identify, pursue, and close new advisory mandates across the full spectrum of FCC services, including: gap assessments, AML/CFT programme reviews, sanctions and transaction monitoring ™ model validation, KYC/CDD/EDD remediation, financial crime risk assessments, monitorships/Skilled Persons Reviews, and technology selection and implementation.
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Develop compelling client proposals, presentations, and thought leadership content aligned to regional and international regulatory priorities.
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Build and commercialise innovative, technology-enabled FCC advisory solutions and take them to market.
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Achieve and exceed annual revenue targets of USD 1 million and above from managed client accounts.
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Represent the firm at industry forums, conferences, and regulatory engagement events across the GCC.
Project delivery & quality assurance (50%)
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Lead delivery of complex, multi-workstream FCC advisory engagements across GCC clients, ensuring on-time, on-budget, and high-quality outcomes.
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Serve as senior engagement lead and subject matter expert across core FCC domains.
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Provide expert guidance on the selection, implementation, and configuration of leading sanctions screening and transaction monitoring technology platforms.
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Review and quality-assure all deliverables before client submission, ensuring analytical rigour, regulatory accuracy, and professional presentation.
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Mentor and develop junior and mid-level team members, fostering a culture of excellence and client focus.
Team building & leadership
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Recruit, build, and manage a high-performing FCC advisory team, setting clear performance expectations and development pathways.
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Foster an inclusive, accountable, and high-energy team culture.
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Act as a role model for quality standards, client service, and ethical conduct.
Core FCC domains
You will act as senior engagement lead across the following areas:
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Gap assessments against SAMA, CBUAE, FATF, and internal standards
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AML/CFT programme design, remediation, and framework transformation
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Sanctions and transaction monitoring model validation (design, parameters, thresholds, output quality)
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Sanctions and TM system tuning and optimisation
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KYC / CDD / EDD remediation and look-back programmes
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Monitorship / Skilled Persons Review (SPR) support
GCC: working familiarity with CBB (Bahrain), CBK (Kuwait), CBO (Oman), QCB (Qatar)
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FATF: 40 Recommendations, Mutual Evaluation Reports, and Guidance Papers
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Global reference context: EU AML Directives, OFAC, UK Sanctions, Wolfsberg Principles
Digital & data science
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Must have built at least one digital/technology-enabled FCC advisory solution and taken it to market
•
Strong understanding of how RegTech, AI/ML, and automation are transforming financial crime risk management
•
Knowledge of data science concepts and tools (Python preferred) applied to FCC analytics: network analysis, transaction analytics, model performance testing, alert optimisation
•
Ability to articulate, demo, and sell data-driven FCC solutions to both C-suite and technical buyers
Who you are
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Highly motivated, self-driven, and proactive — you set your own agenda and hold yourself to the highest standards
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Genuinely passionate about building and scaling a financial crime advisory practice, not just delivering projects
•
Quality-conscious with exceptional attention to detail
•
Commercially savvy — you know how to originate, shape, price, and close consulting mandates
•
A trusted relationship builder with a credible personal brand in the GCC banking and regulatory ecosystem
•
A confident communicator at all levels, both written and verbal
•
A natural leader who mentors others and invests in their team’s growth
•
Resilient and energised by the challenges of a fast-moving regulatory environment
Nice to have
Nice to have
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Arabic language proficiency (professional/business level) — a significant advantage for client engagement in KSA
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Python skills applied to FCC analytics (transaction monitoring analysis, model performance testing, alert threshold optimisation, network analytics)
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Background from a Big 4 firm, global management consultancy, or specialist FCC advisory firm
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Prior experience at or with an FCC technology vendor (e.g. Accuity, SAS, Actimize, Oracle)