Compliance Officer

About the Role

As a Compliance Officer based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, you will play a crucial role in implementing and managing the organization's compliance framework to ensure full adherence to Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA) regulations, national laws, and internal policies. You will conduct compliance monitoring, research regulatory updates, assess risks, track regulatory obligations, and offer daily advisory support to various business units.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in establishing and managing the compliance framework according to SAMA and other regulatory demands.
• Keep abreast of SAMA circulars, regulatory changes and industry trends to evaluate their effects on organizational activities.
• Perform thorough regulatory research, analyze applicable regulations, and translate these into actionable compliance requirements and internal policies.
• Contribute to the creation, evaluation, and upkeep of compliance policies, procedures, and controls.
• Execute compliance monitoring and testing to verify adherence to policies, regulations, and controls.
• Conduct compliance risk assessments to identify regulatory risks, control weaknesses, and remediation needs.
• Maintain regulatory obligation trackers and oversee completion of SAMA-required actions across departments.
• Provide daily compliance advice to business teams regarding regulatory obligations, processes, and operational compliance.
• Review new products, services, partnerships, and initiatives to pinpoint compliance requirements and potential risks.
• Assist in preparing, reviewing and submitting regulatory reports and communications.
• Carry out compliance investigations and reviews related to breaches or control failures, documenting findings and tracking remediation steps.
• Support regulatory inspections, internal audits, and independent reviews by compiling documentation and coordinating responses.
• Maintain comprehensive compliance records and registers accurately.
• Prepare compliance-related reports and materials for management evaluation.
• Help design and deliver compliance training and awareness campaigns.
• Collaborate with Risk, Legal, Internal Audit, Operations, Information Security, and business units to enhance compliance controls and meet regulatory needs.
• Identify improvements for compliance processes, controls, and monitoring activities.
• Promptly escalate significant compliance risks, violations, or deficiencies to the Compliance Lead.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Law, Finance, Business Administration, Accounting, Risk Management, Compliance, or related field.
• A minimum of 3 years’ experience in compliance, regulatory adherence, risk management, governance, or audit, ideally within banking, financial services, fintech, or regulated sectors.
• Solid understanding of SAMA regulatory requirements and Saudi financial services laws.
• Familiarity with compliance frameworks including monitoring, testing, risk assessment, and internal controls.
• Proven experience in compliance monitoring, regulatory research, reviews, and risk assessment activities.
• Competence in developing and maintaining compliance policies and controls.
• Ability to interpret SAMA regulations and implement practical business compliance actions.
• Hands-on experience supporting regulatory audits, internal reviews, investigations, and remedial measures.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and stakeholder communication skills.
• Meticulous in documentation management and compliance record keeping.
• Independent, capable of managing multiple priorities within a dynamic regulated environment.
• High ethical standards, professionalism, confidentiality, and sound regulatory judgment.
• Preferred compliance certifications include CAMS, CCO, or equivalents; additional certifications in risk management, governance, financial crime, or regulatory compliance are advantageous.

Benefits and Culture

• Inclusive culture valuing diversity, integrity, and transparency, promoting work-life balance and caring for employees.
• Full trust and autonomy from day one, encouraging ownership and entrepreneurial thinking.
• Employee stock option plan accessible to all employees.
• Opportunity for growth within one of the region’s fastest-growing fintech firms.
• Support with relocation processes for candidates joining from outside Riyadh.
• Provision of necessary devices to perform work effectively.