Vice President

Role Overview

Vice President, Financial Services Compliance & Regulation practice at Kroll, based in the UAE.

Company Overview

Kroll is a global leader in risk and financial advisory solutions with a nearly century-long legacy. The organization blends trusted expertise with cutting-edge technology to navigate and redefine industry complexities. Kroll is committed to equal opportunity and diversity and recruits people based on merit.

Role Purpose

Lead complex regulatory, risk, compliance, and financial crime advisory engagements for financial institutions across the UAE and wider GCC region. Build and maintain strong client relationships, mentor junior professionals, and drive business development to expand Kroll's Financial Services Regulatory Advisory practice across the region.

Key Responsibilities

Client Leadership & Advisory

• Lead and oversee regulatory, risk, compliance, and financial crime engagements for financial institutions across the UAE and wider GCC region.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior client stakeholders, including Boards, Executive Management, Compliance Officers, Risk Leaders, and Internal Audit functions.
• Manage and strengthen key client relationships, ensuring high-quality delivery and long-term partnership growth.

Engagement Delivery

• Direct risk-based reviews, identifying control deficiencies, compliance gaps, governance weaknesses, and operational risk exposures.
• Review and approve reports and presentations prepared for clients, regulators, and executive committees.
• Oversee data analysis, risk assessments, and the development of meaningful insights to support decision-making.
• Lead a wide range of engagements, including: Skilled Person Reviews, Risk and Compliance Health Checks, Regulatory Remediation Programs, Regulatory Assurance Reviews, Regulatory Readiness Assessments, Enterprise Risk Management Reviews, Operational Risk Framework Development, Controls Testing and Assurance, AML / Financial Crime Compliance Reviews, Regulatory Reporting Reviews, Consumer Protection and Conduct Risk Reviews, Governance Reviews, Regulatory Gap Assessments, and Internal Audit and Second-Line Risk & Compliance Reviews.

Strategic Advisory

• Provide strategic advice on regulatory developments, regulatory remediation programs, and compliance transformation initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to expand client relationships and develop new service offerings within the regulatory advisory practice.

Team Leadership

• Lead engagement teams, providing coaching, mentoring, and performance management to junior colleagues.

Business Development

• Drive business development activities, including proposal development, client presentations, thought leadership, networking, and market outreach.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, Law, Economics, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of relevant experience within a regulator, financial institution, consulting firm, or professional services organization.
• Demonstrated experience leading regulatory, compliance, risk management, or financial crime advisory engagements.
• Strong knowledge of banking and financial services regulations and industry practices.
• Significant exposure to UAE-regulated financial institutions and UAE regulatory frameworks.
• Experience working within a Big 4, Big 6, or leading advisory firm is highly desirable.
• Prior experience in one or more of the following areas: Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Financial Crime, Enterprise Risk Management, Operational Risk, Regulatory Compliance, Internal Audit and Controls Assurance, or Regulatory Change and Transformation Programs.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
• Proven ability to manage senior client stakeholders and lead complex engagements.
• Strong business development track record, including proposal writing, client acquisition, and revenue generation.
• Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop high-performing teams.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English; Arabic is advantageous.

Additional Information

• Professional certifications highly desirable: International Compliance Association (ICA), Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI), ACAMS, CFA, FRM, CIA, CPA, or equivalent professional qualifications.
• Hybrid work arrangement.