Associate Director

KEY RESPONSIBILITIESBusiness Development & Practice Growth (50%)●Own and drive the end-to-end business development lifecycle for FCC advisory services across KSA, with visibility across the GCC.●Build, maintain, and expand a strong network of C-suite, CCO, CMLCO, and senior compliance relationships at local and international banks, payment firms, and financial institutions operating in KSA and the GCC.●Proactively identify, pursue, and close new advisory mandates across the full spectrum of FCC services, including gap assessments, AML/CFT programme reviews, sanctions and transaction monitoring (TM) model validation, KYC/CDD/EDD remediation, financial crime risk assessments, monitorships/Skilled Persons Reviews, and technology selection/implementation.●Develop compelling client proposals, presentations, and thought leadership content aligned to SAMA, CBUAE, and FATF regulatory priorities.●Build and commercialize innovative, differentiated FCC advisory solutions – including digital/technology-enabled products – and take them to market.●Achieve and exceed annual revenue targets of USD 1 million and above from managed client accounts.●Represent the firm at industry forums, conferences, and regulatory engagement events across KSA and the GCC.Project Delivery & Quality Assurance (50%)●Lead delivery of complex, multi-workstream FCC advisory engagements across KSA and GCC clients, ensuring on-time, on-budget, and on-quality outcomes.●Serve as the senior engagement lead and subject matter expert across core FCC domains including:

• Gap Assessments against SAMA, CBUAE, FATF, and internal standards
• AML/CFT Programme Design and Remediation
• AML/CFT Framework Transformation
• Sanctions and TM Model Validation (design, parameters, thresholds, output quality)
• Sanctions and TM System Tuning and Optimisation
• KYC / CDD / EDD Remediation and Look-Back Programmes
• Monitorship / Skilled Persons Review (SPR) support
• Financial Crime Risk Assessments (enterprise-wide, product/channel, customer segment)
• Regulatory examination readiness and response support●Provide hands-on expert guidance on the selection, implementation, and configuration of leading sanctions screening and TM technology platforms (e.g., Fircosoft/Accuity, SAS AML, Actimize, Oracle FCCM, etc.).●Review and quality-assure all deliverables before client submission, ensuring analytical rigour, regulatory accuracy, and professional presentation.●Mentor and develop junior and mid-level team members, fostering a culture of excellence, intellectual curiosity, and client focus.Team Building & Leadership●Recruit, build, and manage a high-performing FCC advisory team in KSA, setting clear performance expectations and development pathways.●Foster an inclusive, accountable, and high-energy team culture aligned to the firm's values.●Act as a role model for the firm's quality standards, client service ethos, and ethical conduct.Experience Requirements (All are Mandatory)Total Professional Experience15+ yearsFCC Advisory / Consulting Experience10+ years (mandatory)FCC Advisory Sales / Business Development5+ years selling FCC projects to banks (mandatory)FCC Project Execution10+ years delivering FCC engagementsTeam Building & ManagementMust have built and managed a teamClient Account ManagementUSD 1 million+ revenue per annum from managed accountsTECHNICAL & DOMAIN EXPERTISEFCC Advisory Solutions (Must have deep, hands-on expertise in all of the following)●Gap Assessments – AML/CFT, sanctions, anti-bribery programmes against SAMA, CBUAE, FATF, and global standards●Sanctions & Transaction Monitoring (TM) Model Validation – methodology design, parameter testing, threshold calibration, output quality review, model risk governance●Sanctions & TM System Tuning & Optimisation – alert reduction, false positive management, scenario coverage●KYC / CDD / EDD Remediation – design of remediation frameworks, look-back programmes, file review, risk-based segmentation●Monitorship / Skilled Persons Review (SPR) – experience supporting or executing regulatory-mandated reviews●Financial Crime Risk Assessments (FCRA) – enterprise-wide, product, channel, customer, and geographic risk assessments●AML/CFT Programme Design and Implementation – governance, policy, procedures, controls architecture●Regulatory Examination Readiness and ResponseTechnology & Systems (Hands-on experience required)●Sanctions Screening Systems: Fircosoft (Accuity), Oracle Financial Services (OFAC), etc. – selection, implementation, configuration, and tuning●Transaction Monitoring Systems: SAS AML, NICE Actimize, Oracle FCCM, Temenos Financial Crime Mitigation, FIS MANTAS, etc.●Hands-on experience in at least one full system selection and one implementation/configuration engagement is mandatoryDIGITAL, INNOVATION & DATA SCIENCE●Must have built at least one differentiated digital/technology-enabled FCC advisory solution and taken it to market.●Strong understanding of how RegTech, AI/ML, and automation are transforming financial crime risk management.●Knowledge of data science concepts and tools (Python preferred) as applied to FCC analytics: network analysis, transaction analytics, model performance testing, alert optimisation.●Ability to articulate, demo, and sell data-driven FCC solutions to C-suite and technical buyers.CANDIDATE PROFILE & PERSONAL ATTRIBUTESThe ideal candidate will be a rare combination of a seasoned technician, a credible rainmaker, and an inspiring leader. We are looking for someone who:●Is highly motivated, self-driven, and proactive – thrives without being managed, sets their own agenda, and holds themselves to the highest standards.●Has a long-term horizon and a genuine passion for building and scaling a financial crime advisory practice – not just delivering projects.●Is quality-conscious with exceptional attention to detail – takes personal pride in the rigour, accuracy, and impact of their work.●Is commercially savvy – understands how to originate, shape, price, and close consulting mandates.●Is a relationship builder with a warm, credible, and trustworthy personal brand in the GCC banking and regulatory ecosystem.●Communicates with clarity and confidence – both in writing and verbally – at all levels of a client organization.●Leads by example, mentors juniors, and actively invests in the growth of their team.●Is resilient, adaptable, and energized by the challenges of a fast-moving regulatory environment.PREFERRED / ADDED-ADVANTAGE CRITERIAData Science (Python)Working knowledge of Python for FCC-related analytics: transaction monitoring analysis, model performance testing, alert threshold optimization, and network analytics.Big 4 / Tier 1 Consulting BackgroundBackground from a Big 4 firm, global management consultancy, or a specialist FCC advisory firm with international standards exposure.FCC Technology Vendor / Product ExperiencePrior experience at or with an FCC technology vendor (e.g., Accuity, SAS, Actimize, Oracle) is advantageous.