Manager – Risk & Compliance

Requirements

Job Purpose

• The Risk and Compliance Manager will be responsible for:
• overseeing that all company activities, processes, and operations comply with relevant UAE laws and regulations. This position requires a thorough understanding of UAE labor law, compliance frameworks, and risk management practices.
• providing an independent and comprehensive framework to appropriately identify, measure, manage, monitor and report the different risks across the company.
• monitoring and analysis of the organization’s overall risks – whether financial, operational, reputational, regulatory, compliance risks – from a day-to-day and long-term basis and recommends actions to reduce risk.
• The role also involves establishing a culture of compliance across the organization, leading audits, and driving continuous improvements in the company's governance and compliance processes.
• This role involves developing and implementing risk management frameworks, policies, and processes that ensure the company’s activities are administered within acceptable risk levels, while meeting legal and regulatory requirements in the UAE.

Job Description

• Regulatory Oversight
• Oversee that the company complies with all applicable UAE laws and regulations.

• Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and implement the company’s risk management and compliance strategy, policies, and procedures specific to the management of the company’s activity.
• Provide strategic leadership and work closely with other departments (e.g., Legal, Finance, HR) to ensure all operations align with regulatory and corporate standards.
• Work closely with the GM, senior management, and other departments to ensure risk considerations are incorporated into decision-making processes
• Risk Management
• Identify, assess, and mitigate the different risks associated with the company’s activity, ensuring effective controls are in place.
• Lead internal reviews and investigations into potential compliance breaches or regulatory violations, and risk incidents.
• Develop and manage a comprehensive risk management and compliance training program for employees, focusing on regulatory requirements and company policies.
• Continuously monitor internal and external risk factors, including changes in legislation, market conditions, and industry best practices.
• Conduct risk assessments for new products, services, or business initiatives.
• Develop and implement robust risk mitigation strategies to address identified risks, including internal controls, contingency plans, and risk-reducing measures.
• Monitor the effectiveness of risk controls and recommend improvements where required.
• Lead the design of risk management frameworks and tools to help the business identify and manage risk proactively.

• Regulatory Compliance & Governance

• Oversee compliance with all relevant UAE laws and regulations.
• Liaise with external auditors, regulators, and other stakeholders to ensure adherence to governance standards.

• Reporting & Documentation

• Prepare and present regular risk management and compliance reports to senior leadership and the board of directors.
• Maintain accurate documentation of all risk management and compliance activities, including risk assessments, audit findings, and regulatory correspondence.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation of risk management activities, including risk assessments, mitigation strategies, and incident reports.
• Ensure timely reporting to government bodies and other stakeholders as required by UAE law.
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Liaise with regulatory bodies, industry associations, and other external stakeholders to ensure the company remains well-positioned within the regulatory landscape.
• Act as the primary point of contact for any compliance-related inquiries from clients, government entities, and auditors.

• Training & Awareness

• Foster a risk-aware culture throughout the organization by providing training and awareness programs for staff at all levels.
• Provide ongoing guidance and support to departments in managing risk within their areas of responsibility.
• Continuous Improvement
• Continuously review and improve the company's risk management and compliance policies, procedures, and internal controls, ensuring they are robust, practical, and in line with best practices.
• Stay abreast of emerging risks, trends, and best practices in risk management and apply this knowledge to enhance the company’s risk management framework.
• Foster a culture of compliance and ethical behavior throughout the organization.

Communications & Working Relationships

• Work collaboratively with key functions and maintain positive relationships including Legal, Audit, Operations, Finance, General Manager and Sales.
• Escalate identified risks and issues on a timely basis to the relevant stakeholders.
• Prepare risk reports for local and regional governance forums and Home Office as and when required.

Frameworks, Boundaries, & Decision Making Authority

• Work within the framework and policy guidelines governing the MetLife group. Ensures full compliance with internal controls within company’s standards and audit requirements
• Operate in adherence with applicable regulation and MetLife Compliance framework and related policies.
• Maintain a positive working relationship with key stakeholders.

, Experience, & Skills

• Qualification and experience:
• A university degree with at least five (5) years of experience in the financial Markets or related fields.
• Or a diploma or less degree with at least ten (10) years of experience in the financial Markets or related fields.
• Alternative qualification and experience:
• An experience of at least five (5) years in the financial Markets or related fields, with availability of any of the following alternative qualifications:
• For the compliance oversight:
• Master Financial
• ICA Certificate in Compliance
• ICA International Advanced Certificate in Regulatory Compliance
• ICA Advanced Certificate in legal Compliance
• ICA Certificate in Regulatory
• ICA International Advanced Certificate in Anti Money Laundering
• ICA Advanced Certificate in Partial Client Due Diligence
• ICA Advanced Certificate in Managing Fraud
• ICA Advanced Certificate in Managing Sanctions Risk.
• ICA Specialist Certificate in Financial Crime Risk in Global Banking and Markets.
• ICA Specialist Certificate in Money Laundering Risk in New Technology.

And

• For the risk oversight:
• Master Financial Risk Manager (FRM).
• Master Financial Controller.
• Certified Internal Auditor (CIA).
• Chartered Development Finance Analyst.
• Certified Management Accountant (CMA).
• ICA Specialist Certificate in Conduct Risk.

Skills

• and abilities:
• Strong understanding of UAE labor laws and regulations,
• Proven track record of leading risk and compliance functions, managing cross-functional teams, and implementing robust risk and compliance frameworks.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and engage with senior management and external stakeholders.
• High level of integrity and professionalism with a commitment to ethical conduct and transparency.

Personal Attributes

• Detail-oriented with a strong ability to identify potential risks and resolve compliance issues.
• Proactive, with the ability to anticipate challenges and provide practical solutions.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.

About MetLife