Regional Head of Regulatory Compliance (GCC)

Regional Head of Regulatory Compliance | Banking | Dubai | GCC Coverage

Location: Dubai, UAERegional remit: GCC, with travel as requiredThe opportunityA banking organisation is seeking an experienced Regional Head of Regulatory Compliance to lead regulatory compliance oversight across its GCC operations.Based in Dubai, this senior leadership role will oversee the regional compliance framework, manage regulatory relationships and provide independent advice and challenge to senior management.

The successful candidate will combine strong banking regulatory knowledge with practical experience in retail banking, consumer protection, conduct risk and regulatory change.Direct experience within a CBUAE regulated bank is strongly preferred, alongside exposure to other GCC banking regulators.Key responsibilities:Regional regulatory oversightLead a consistent regional regulatory compliance framework, adapted to the laws, licence conditions and supervisory expectations applicable in each jurisdiction.Maintain oversight of regulatory obligations, compliance risks and controls across the bank’s GCC operations.Advise senior management on banking regulation, regulatory developments and the implications of new products, business initiatives and expansion.Lead regulatory horizon scanning, impact assessments and implementation programmes, ensuring clear ownership and timely delivery.Oversee compliance with licensing conditions, regulatory approvals, notifications and applicable reporting obligations.Regulatory engagementLead or coordinate relationships with local regulators, working closely with country compliance heads and accountable executives.Manage supervisory enquiries, inspections and reviews, ensuring accurate responses and timely escalation of material issues.Oversee remediation of regulatory findings, challenging the effectiveness and sustainability of corrective actions.Support senior management and Board committees with clear reporting on regulatory exposure, emerging risks and significant compliance matters.Retail banking, consumer protection and conductProvide compliance oversight across retail banking products and services, including accounts, deposits, cards, personal lending, mortgages, payments and digital banking.Oversee implementation of applicable consumer protection requirements, with particular emphasis on the CBUAE Consumer Protection Regulation and Standards.Challenge product design, target customer groups, distribution arrangements, sales practices and incentive structures to identify potential customer harm.Review customer communications, marketing, key facts statements, terms and conditions, fees and pricing disclosures for clarity, transparency and regulatory compliance.Oversee conduct requirements relating to responsible lending, affordability, collections, customers in financial difficulty and customers in vulnerable circumstances.Challenge complaints handling and root-cause analysis, ensuring recurring issues lead to meaningful improvements and appropriate customer remediation.Develop management information that demonstrates customer outcomes and identifies emerging conduct risks across branches, digital channels and third-party distribution.Compliance governance and assuranceLead regional compliance risk assessments and a risk-based monitoring programme.Maintain policies, standards and country-specific procedures that reflect applicable regulatory requirements.Provide independent challenge over outsourcing, third-party arrangements, data confidentiality, digital banking and operational resilience in collaboration with relevant specialists.Work closely with Legal, Risk, Internal Audit and Financial Crime Compliance to ensure coordinated oversight and clear accountability.Lead, develop and support compliance teams, strengthening regulatory expertise and a culture of timely escalation.Regulatory knowledgeCandidates should demonstrate strong knowledge of UAE banking regulation and experience navigating multiple GCC jurisdictions. Relevant banking regulators include:UAE: Central Bank of the UAE - CBUAE experience strongly preferred.Saudi Arabia: Saudi Central Bank - SAMA.Bahrain: Central Bank of Bahrain - CBB.Qatar: Qatar Central Bank - QCB.Kuwait: Central Bank of Kuwait - CBK.Oman: Central Bank of Oman - CBO.Familiarity with additional regulators, including the DFSA, ADGM FSRA and QFCRA, would be beneficial where relevant to the organisation’s licensed activities.Candidate requirementsSignificant senior regulatory compliance experience within banking, ideally including regional or multi-country responsibility.Strong practical understanding of retail banking, consumer protection and conduct risk, supported by broader banking regulatory expertise.Direct experience interpreting regulatory requirements and translating them into effective policies, controls and business practices.Demonstrable experience managing regulatory relationships, inspections, remediation programmes and regulatory change.Ability to distinguish local requirements across GCC markets and apply regional standards without overlooking country-specific obligations.Experience advising and challenging senior executives, business heads and Board committees.Proven leadership skills, sound judgement and the ability to explain complex regulatory matters clearly.Relevant degree or professional qualification; ICA or comparable compliance qualifications would be advantageous.Preferred experienceRecent experience in a CBUAE regulated retail or universal bank.Exposure to more than one GCC banking market.Experience implementing consumer protection or conduct frameworks and measuring customer outcomes.Familiarity with the FCA’s Consumer Duty, including product governance, fair value, consumer understanding and customer support, with the ability to apply relevant experience within local regulatory frameworks.Experience across conventional and Islamic banking, digital banking or regional transformation programmes.Arabic language skills would be advantageous.Ideal profileAn established Head of Regulatory Compliance, Regional Compliance Director or senior banking compliance leader with strong UAE regulatory experience, credible GCC exposure and a detailed understanding of retail banking and consumer protection.The role suits someone who can lead regulatory engagement, provide effective independent challenge and turn complex regulatory obligations into practical, sustainable controls.For a confidential discussion, contact Sultan Afzal at sultan@etratalent.com.