Associate Director

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Business Development & Practice Growth (50%)

●Own and drive the end-to-end business development lifecycle for FCC advisory services across KSA, with visibility across the GCC.

●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 operating in KSA and the GCC.

●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 (TM) model validation, KYC/CDD/EDD remediation, financial crime risk assessments, monitorships/Skilled Persons Reviews, and technology selection/implementation.

●Develop compelling client proposals, presentations, and thought leadership content aligned to SAMA, CBUAE, and FATF regulatory priorities.

●Build and commercialize innovative, differentiated FCC advisory solutions – including digital/technology-enabled products – and take them to market.

●Achieve and exceed annual revenue targets of USD 1 million and above from managed client accounts.

●Represent the firm at industry forums, conferences, and regulatory engagement events across KSA and the GCC.

Project Delivery & Quality Assurance (50%)

●Lead delivery of complex, multi-workstream FCC advisory engagements across KSA and GCC clients, ensuring on-time, on-budget, and on-quality outcomes.

●Serve as the senior engagement lead and subject matter expert across core FCC domains including:

◦Gap Assessments against SAMA, CBUAE, FATF, and internal standards

◦AML/CFT Programme Design and Remediation

◦AML/CFT Framework Transformation

◦Sanctions and TM Model Validation (design, parameters, thresholds, output quality)

◦Sanctions and TM System Tuning and Optimisation

◦KYC / CDD / EDD Remediation and Look-Back Programmes

◦Monitorship / Skilled Persons Review (SPR) support

◦Financial Crime Risk Assessments (enterprise-wide, product/channel, customer segment)

◦Regulatory examination readiness and response support

●Provide hands-on expert guidance on the selection, implementation, and configuration of leading sanctions screening and TM technology platforms (e.g., Fircosoft/Accuity, SAS AML, Actimize, Oracle FCCM, etc.).

●Review and quality-assure all deliverables before client submission, ensuring analytical rigour, regulatory accuracy, and professional presentation.

●Mentor and develop junior and mid-level team members, fostering a culture of excellence, intellectual curiosity, and client focus.

Team Building & Leadership

●Recruit, build, and manage a high-performing FCC advisory team in KSA, setting clear performance expectations and development pathways.

●Foster an inclusive, accountable, and high-energy team culture aligned to the firm's values.

●Act as a role model for the firm's quality standards, client service ethos, and ethical conduct.

Experience Requirements (All are Mandatory)

Total Professional Experience

15+ years

FCC Advisory / Consulting Experience

10+ years (mandatory)

FCC Advisory Sales / Business Development

5+ years selling FCC projects to banks (mandatory)

FCC Project Execution

10+ years delivering FCC engagements

Team Building & Management

Must have built and managed a team

Client Account Management

USD 1 million+ revenue per annum from managed accounts

TECHNICAL & DOMAIN EXPERTISE

FCC Advisory Solutions (Must have deep, hands-on expertise in all of the following)

●Gap Assessments – AML/CFT, sanctions, anti-bribery programmes against SAMA, CBUAE, FATF, and global standards

●Sanctions & Transaction Monitoring (TM) Model Validation – methodology design, parameter testing, threshold calibration, output quality review, model risk governance

●Sanctions & TM System Tuning & Optimisation – alert reduction, false positive management, scenario coverage

●KYC / CDD / EDD Remediation – design of remediation frameworks, look-back programmes, file review, risk-based segmentation

●Monitorship / Skilled Persons Review (SPR) – experience supporting or executing regulatory-mandated reviews

●Financial Crime Risk Assessments (FCRA) – enterprise-wide, product, channel, customer, and geographic risk assessments

●AML/CFT Programme Design and Implementation – governance, policy, procedures, controls architecture

●Regulatory Examination Readiness and Response

Technology & Systems (Hands-on experience required)

●Sanctions Screening Systems: Fircosoft (Accuity), Oracle Financial Services (OFAC), etc. – selection, implementation, configuration, and tuning

●Transaction Monitoring Systems: SAS AML, NICE Actimize, Oracle FCCM, Temenos Financial Crime Mitigation, FIS MANTAS, etc.

●Hands-on experience in at least one full system selection and one implementation/configuration engagement is mandatory

DIGITAL, INNOVATION & DATA SCIENCE

●Must have built at least one differentiated 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) as applied to FCC analytics: network analysis, transaction analytics, model performance testing, alert optimisation.

●Ability to articulate, demo, and sell data-driven FCC solutions to C-suite and technical buyers.

CANDIDATE PROFILE & PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

The ideal candidate will be a rare combination of a seasoned technician, a credible rainmaker, and an inspiring leader. We are looking for someone who:

●Is highly motivated, self-driven, and proactive – thrives without being managed, sets their own agenda, and holds themselves to the highest standards.

●Has a long-term horizon and a genuine passion for building and scaling a financial crime advisory practice – not just delivering projects.

●Is quality-conscious with exceptional attention to detail – takes personal pride in the rigour, accuracy, and impact of their work.

●Is commercially savvy – understands how to originate, shape, price, and close consulting mandates.

●Is a relationship builder with a warm, credible, and trustworthy personal brand in the GCC banking and regulatory ecosystem.

●Communicates with clarity and confidence – both in writing and verbally – at all levels of a client organization.

●Leads by example, mentors juniors, and actively invests in the growth of their team.

●Is resilient, adaptable, and energized by the challenges of a fast-moving regulatory environment.

PREFERRED / ADDED-ADVANTAGE CRITERIA

Data Science (Python)

Working knowledge of Python for FCC-related analytics: transaction monitoring analysis, model performance testing, alert threshold optimization, and network analytics.

Big 4 / Tier 1 Consulting Background

Background from a Big 4 firm, global management consultancy, or a specialist FCC advisory firm with international standards exposure.

FCC Technology Vendor / Product Experience

Prior experience at or with an FCC technology vendor (e.g., Accuity, SAS, Actimize, Oracle) is advantageous.