AVP, Compliance - Regulatory Affairs (Emiratized)

Role Overview

AVP, Compliance - Regulatory Affairs (Emiratized) at First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), based in the UAE.

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 organization is committed to excellence and innovation, delivering top-tier financial solutions. FAB has structured plans for the recruitment and career progression of Emirati talent to enable them to make a mark in the financial and banking sector both regionally and globally.

Role Purpose

The AVP – Regulatory Affairs manages the Bank's engagement with its Regulators, ensuring effective end-to-end management of regulatory examinations, thematic reviews, and on-site inspections. The role coordinates with internal stakeholders and Regulators to deliver timely, accurate, and well-governed responses to regulatory requests while maintaining robust oversight of records, logs, and trackers. The role drives automation, streamlining, and simplification of regulatory processes and reporting to enhance efficiency, consistency, and quality, reinforcing the Bank's regulatory standing and reputation.

Key Responsibilities

Regulatory Examinations & Thematic Reviews

• Lead the end-to-end management of all regulatory examinations and thematic reviews, ensuring prompt and effective resolution.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders to gather documentation and information required for accurate and timely responses.
• Maintain accurate logs and trackers and provide regular status reports to the Head of Regulatory Affairs – UAE.

On-Site Inspections

• Coordinate and manage on-site inspections by regulatory bodies, ensuring all logistical arrangements and internal stakeholder briefings are in place.
• Act as the primary point of contact for Regulators during on-site inspections, ensuring clear communication and seamless execution.
• Document all inspection findings and track follow-up actions to completion within agreed timelines.

Requests for Information

• Manage and respond to Requests for Information (RFIs) from Regulators in a timely and accurate manner.
• Ensure all regulatory communications are properly logged and supported by required documentation.
• Maintain an efficient and effective Single Point of Contact (SPOC) management process.

Circulars & Notices

• Manage the receipt, tracking, and timely dissemination of regulatory circulars and notices across the Bank.
• Maintain a central repository of all circulars and notices to ensure ready access for internal audits and regulatory reviews.

Stakeholder Management

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with internal stakeholders to enable smooth and effective regulatory interactions.
• Act as a key liaison between the Bank and regulatory authorities on all compliance-related matters.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

• Keep the Head of Regulatory Affairs – UAE regularly updated on the status of ongoing regulatory activities, including examinations, RFIs, and ad hoc regulatory interactions.
• Maintain comprehensive records of all regulatory examinations, thematic reviews, inspections, RFIs, circulars, and notices.
• Ensure regulatory logs and trackers are updated in real time and readily accessible for management reviews and audits.
• Provide monthly inputs to the Head of Regulatory Compliance for inclusion in the CBUAE Monthly Pack.

Continuous Improvement, Automation & Simplification

• Identify opportunities to automate, streamline, and simplify the management of regulatory examinations, inspections, and reporting, driving greater efficiency and consistency.
• Stay abreast of regulatory changes and industry best practices to ensure the Bank's processes remain current, effective, and future-ready.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Law, Business, or a related field.
• 6+ years of experience in regulatory compliance or relevant fields, preferably within a financial institution.
• Strong knowledge of regulatory frameworks and compliance requirements within the banking sector.

Skills & Competencies

• Task Prioritisation: Strong ability to prioritise and manage competing demands, ensuring timely dissemination of information both internally and to Regulators, and effective resolution of regulatory requirements.
• Documentation Management: Highly skilled in maintaining comprehensive, well-organised records of all regulatory requests and communications between the Bank and its Regulators.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Deep understanding of regulatory frameworks and compliance requirements within the banking sector, enabling effective engagement and sound risk mitigation.
• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to prepare and distribute clear regulatory notices, circulars, updates, and educational materials.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Confident in building and sustaining productive relationships with internal stakeholders and regulatory authorities to support smooth and effective interactions.
• Attention to Detail: Meticulous and accuracy-focused, ensuring precision and quality across all regulatory records, responses, and reporting.
• Process Enhancement & Automation: Proactive in identifying opportunities to enhance, automate, and simplify regulatory processes, trackers, and reporting, driving greater efficiency, consistency, and quality across regulatory operations.
• Organisational Skills: Excellent ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Interpersonal Skills: Strong communication and interpersonal skills for stakeholder management.
• Independence & Teamwork: Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.

Additional Information

FAB offers unique career choices, a chance to innovate, and craft solutions for the future in a performance-based culture. The organization provides a range of learning and development initiatives to support all employees through training and skill development, whether experienced professionals or those starting their careers.