Internal Audit Lead - Financial Crime

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver end-to-end audits across financial crime and compliance processes, including AML, CTF, sanctions, fraud prevention, and customer due diligence (CDD/KYC/KYB).
• Independently plan and execute audit engagements using a risk-based approach, covering both first and second line controls.
• Evaluate the design and operating effectiveness of financial crime frameworks in line with CBUAE regulations, internal policies and international best practices.
• Assess compliance-owned processes, including:
  • Regulatory horizon scanning and emerging risk identification
  • Regulatory change management and implementation tracking
  • Compliance monitoring and testing programs
  • Policy governance, review cycles and control oversight
  • Management information (MI) and reporting to senior management and regulators
• Identify control gaps, thematic risks, and opportunities to strengthen financial crime prevention and compliance frameworks.
• Conduct deep-dive and thematic reviews across high-risk areas such as transaction monitoring, sanctions screening and customer risk profiling.
• Stay current on regulatory developments, enforcement actions, and emerging financial crime risks impacting the organization.
  
  

• Lead or support forensic reviews into suspected financial crime, fraud or control breaches.
• Analyze complex datasets and case information to identify suspicious patterns and potential control failures.
• Coordinate with compliance and risk functions while maintaining audit independence and objectivity.
  
  

• Apply advanced data analytics to identify anomalies, control weaknesses and emerging risks across financial crime and compliance processes.
• Assess the use of data within compliance monitoring, including MI quality, completeness and timeliness.
• Support the development of continuous auditing and monitoring capabilities across financial crime and compliance areas.
  
  

• Report audit outcomes to the Head of Internal Audit, providing clear, risk-based conclusions and practical recommendations.
• Prepare concise, high-quality audit reports and communicate findings effectively to senior management.
• Build strong relationships with key stakeholders, influencing change and driving timely remediation of audit findings.
  
  

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Bachelor’s degree in Forensic Accounting, Finance, Economics, Law or a related discipline; advanced degree is an advantage.
• 7+ years of experience in internal audit, financial crime compliance or forensic investigations within banking, fintech or regulated financial services.
• Strong knowledge of AML/CFT, sanctions, fraud risk management and CBUAE financial crime and compliance regulations.
• Solid understanding of compliance frameworks and second-line responsibilities, including horizon scanning, regulatory change management and compliance monitoring.
• Proven experience auditing or assessing financial crime and compliance programs, including governance, policy frameworks and regulatory reporting.
• Advanced data analytics capabilities, with proficiency in tools such as SQL, Python, Power BI, Tableau, or similar.
• Relevant certifications such as CAMS, CFE, CFF, CIA, or CISA are strongly preferred.
• Strong investigative mindset with the ability to analyze complex issues and identify root causes of control weaknesses.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with experience engaging Compliance, Risk and senior leadership.
• High level of professional skepticism, integrity and discretion when handling sensitive information.
• Ability to operate independently, manage multiple priorities and deliver in a fast-paced, regulated environment.
• Fluency in English is a MUST.