The Assistant Manager Compliance is responsible for driving strategic departmental projects, embedding continuous improvement initiatives, and ensuring robust governance and quality control across the sanctions compliance framework. This role ensures adherence to global regulatory standards and internal policies while fostering operational excellence and risk mitigation.

This role is critical in leveraging data-driven insights to support strategic decision-making, enhance risk management, and optimize business performance across the bank. The ideal candidate will combine strong analytical skills with expertise in data science tools and applications, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards while driving innovation.

Interpret domestic and international sanctions (UAE, US, UK, EU, UN etc.) and maintain sufficient awareness and knowledge of Sanctions that impact the bank and/or its branches or subsidiaries. 

Ensure full adherence to Group Sanctions Policy, including but not limited to related Sanctions Guidance and operating procedures. 

Support Senior Compliance Manager in identifying Sanctions risk themes and trends and improve sanctions risk management capability.

1. Project Management & Continuous Improvement

• Lead and deliver sanctions-related projects, ensuring timely execution within defined scope and budget.
• Drive department level process optimization initiatives to enhance efficiency and effectiveness of sanctions screening and investigations.
• Collaborate with Technology and Operations teams to implement system upgrades, changes, automation and ongoing optimization for sanctions compliance processes.
• Monitor and report on project progress, issues, risks, and dependencies, and escalate as needed. 

2. Data Analysis & Analytics

• Collect, clean, and analyze large compliance and business-related datasets from multiple sources to identify trends, patterns, and actionable insights. 
• Design and implement dashboards and reports for business stakeholders using advanced visualization tools. 
• Perform statistical analysis and hypothesis testing to validate business strategies. 
• Optimize data pipelines and workflows for efficiency and scalability. 
• Monitor adherence to internal controls and regulatory requirements across jurisdictions (OFAC, EU, UN, UK, UAE).
• Prepare governance dashboards and reports for senior management and regulatory bodies (where necessary).
• For record keeping, all records of the unit must be kept in a confidential and secure state and adhere to record retention policy and the SOP guidelines

3. Governance & Oversight

• Monitor adherence to internal controls and regulatory requirements across jurisdictions (OFAC, EU, UN, UK, UAE).
• Prepare governance dashboards and reports for senior management and regulatory bodies (where necessary).
• For record keeping, all records of the unit must be kept in a confidential and secure state and adhere to record retention policy and the SOP guidelines

4. Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as a key liaison with internal business units, compliance teams, and external regulators.
• Provide guidance and training to staff on sanctions compliance requirements and best practices.
• Maintain effective working relationships with Business, Operations and other Compliance functions.

5. Reporting & Monitoring

• Develop robust monitoring systems to track compliance activities and project progress.
• Deliver regular updates to senior leadership on sanctions compliance performance and improvement initiatives.
• Provide effective support and maintain metrics as per internal procedures; prepare monthly and adhoc management reports.

Operating Environment, Framework and Boundaries, Working Relationships

• Effective knowledge of the Bank’s Compliance, Sanctions, AML and KYC / CDD policies and procedures.
• Adequate understanding of various sanction programs, e.g., OFAC, UN, UK, EU, UAE Target Financial Sanctions etc. 
• Experience within the financial services industry. 
• Clear understanding of relevant business and operations processes that support sanctions screening and customer reviews. 
• Good understanding of core banking and sanctions screening systems and their interaction / use. 
• Provide guidance and support to project team members and other staff on compliance matters, best practices, and lessons learned. 

Problem Solving

• Pro-active approach to problem solving and handling of the complex situations.

  
  
• Analytical thinking, attention to details and educative judgment.

Decision Making Authority & Responsibility

In liaison with Senior Compliance Manager.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Minimum 8–10 years of experience in compliance, risk management, or regulatory affairs or relevant function within banking or financial services. 

Extensive experience in project management including strong project management skills, including planning, execution, monitoring, and control.

Adequate knowledge of global sanctions regimes and governance frameworks. 

Demonstrate proficiency in the following

• Programming & Data Analysis - SQL for database querying and management

  
  

• Data Visualization & BI Tools - Power BI, Tableau, or Qlik for dashboard creation

  
  

• Big Data & Cloud Platforms - Hadoop, for large-scale data processing

  
  

Proven track record in project management and process improvement. 

Excellent analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

Lateral thinker with an ability to interpret and solve complex issues.

Proficient in MS Office and Project tools.