Internal Audit Lead - Financial Crime

About the Role

This position leads audits focused on financial crime and compliance areas such as anti-money laundering (AML), counter-terrorism financing (CTF), sanctions, fraud prevention, and customer due diligence (CDD/KYC/KYB). The role entails comprehensive evaluations of financial crime prevention frameworks, compliance governance, and regulatory adherence aligned with the Central Bank of UAE standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and execute end-to-end audits across financial crime and compliance processes using a risk-oriented approach.
• Assess design and operational effectiveness of controls within financial crime frameworks following CBUAE regulations and best practices.
• Review compliance processes including regulatory horizon scanning, change management, compliance monitoring, policy governance, and management reporting.
• Identify control deficiencies, thematic risks, and improvements for strengthening compliance and financial crime controls.
• Conduct detailed thematic audits in high-risk areas like transaction monitoring and sanctions screening.
• Lead or assist forensic investigations related to suspected fraud, financial crime, or control lapses with audit independence.
• Utilize advanced analytics to detect anomalies and weaknesses, supporting continuous auditing capabilities.
• Prepare clear audit reports, engage senior management, and promote timely remediation of findings.

Skills and Expertise

• Bachelor’s degree (Forensic Accounting, Finance, Economics, Law, or related); advanced degree preferred.
• Over 7 years’ experience in internal audit, financial crime compliance, or forensic investigations in banking, fintech, or regulated finance.
• Deep knowledge of AML, CFT, sanctions, fraud risk, and CBUAE regulations.
• Proficiency in compliance frameworks including second-line controls and regulatory change management.
• Experienced in auditing governance, policies, and regulatory reporting in financial crime compliance.
• Strong data analytics skills with tools like SQL, Python, Power BI, Tableau, or equivalents.
• Certifications such as CAMS, CFE, CFF, CIA, or CISA preferred.
• Ability in complex investigative analysis and issue root cause identification.
• Effective communication and stakeholder engagement abilities, including senior leadership interactions.
• High integrity, professional skepticism, and confidentiality when handling sensitive data.
• Independent, organized, able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced regulated environment.
• Fluent in English (mandatory).

Benefits and Work Environment

• Flexible working arrangements based on trust and autonomy.
• Opportunity for rapid career growth with significant ownership.
• Participation in employee stock option schemes.
• Comprehensive health insurance coverage.
• Flexi Perks—monetary benefits to be used for health, wellness, education, or professional development.