Manager, KYC & Onboarding - Government (Emiratised Role)

Role Overview

Manager, KYC & Onboarding - Government at First Abu Dhabi Bank in the United Arab Emirates. This is an Emiratised role.

Company Overview

First Abu Dhabi Bank is the largest bank in the UAE and one of the world's largest and safest financial institutions. FAB offers a comprehensive range of personal and private banking services, including credit cards, Islamic banking, investments, loans, and mortgages. The organisation is committed to excellence and innovation in providing top-tier financial solutions to clients globally.

Role Purpose

To manage Know Your Customer and onboarding processes for new-to-bank clients, periodic and trigger reviews across all stakeholder touchpoints. The role ensures timely and compliant client onboarding while maintaining rigorous due diligence, name screening, and adverse media checks. The Manager drives relationship management with Corporate and Investment Banking stakeholders and ensures adherence to all internal policies, external regulatory requirements, and financial crime controls.

Key Responsibilities

KYC & Onboarding Operations

• Manage KYC and onboarding process for new-to-bank clients along with periodic and trigger reviews in liaison with all stakeholders.
• Ensure all clients are onboarded within agreed onboarding timelines.
• Verify account opening forms and SWIFT messages from banks have been completed adequately and verified.
• Conduct name screening, due diligence, and adverse media matches on all associated parties to the entity.
• Undertake independent research via approved public sources.
• Conduct Customer Due Diligence and perform KYC on third party service providers for Corporate and Investment Banking clients.
• Review AML, KYC forms, and Sanctions Questionnaires as applicable.
• Maintain all data in Alpha system.

Stakeholder Liaison & Communication

• Liaise with clients and relevant stakeholders on key KYC information and data requirements.
• Liaise with Approver and Compliance, providing all required documents and information submitted by clients and highlighting key company information instrumental in obtaining approval based on risk rating classification.
• Develop and manage relationships with CIB stakeholders across business lines and supporting functions.
• Undertake strong support and communication with both internal and external clients to facilitate efficient client onboarding and offboarding.

Compliance & Controls

• Promote appropriate checks and controls within the team to ensure files are processed correctly.
• Ensure adherence to all internal policies and procedures and external regulatory requirements at all times.
• Stay abreast of latest developing concepts including new regulations by the UAE Central Bank, legal environment within the UAE and international locations, and other corporate credit practices.
• Deliver fair outcomes for customers and ensure own conduct maintains the orderly and transparent operation of financial markets.
• Adhere to TATs and SLAs.

Reporting & Monitoring

• Ensure information for MI related to CIB Onboarding and KYC is prepared and presented on a periodic basis.
• Ensure exceptions are updated in CDD Exception tracker and tracked to resolution.
• Monitor monthly KYC KRI and KPI reports.
• Interact with other stakeholders and help the KYC teams achieve KRIs and KPIs.

Governance & Decision Making

• Function within the framework and boundaries of Group policies as well as overall organisational and governance frameworks.
• Take decisions as per the approved authorisation matrix.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Management, Banking, or Finance.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a reputable international bank.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience within an onboarding, KYC, or compliance function.
• Relevant experience in AML, KYC, or compliance with understanding of Financial Institutions KYC requirements.
• Familiarity with AML and KYC regulations and industry guidelines.
• Knowledge of client structures and hierarchies, funds, brokers, loan agencies, and correspondent banks.
• Experience operating in a global regulatory environment.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong Microsoft application knowledge.
• Pro-active and business oriented mindset.
• Proven ability to prioritise and manage conflicting demands.
• Strong ability to assess and analyse information.

Additional Information

• Preferred or beneficial: Certification in Compliance, KYC/AML/CFT, Financial Crime, or Risk Management.