Head of Compliance – Gold & Precious Metals Trading

Location: Dubai, UAE – Corporate Headquarters
Salary: AED 30,000–40,000 per month
Employment: Full-time

The Opportunity

We are working with a leading international gold and precious metals business seeking an experienced Head of Compliance to join its Corporate Headquarters in Dubai.

This is a senior appointment with responsibility for leading and developing the compliance framework across a sophisticated business operating within the gold, precious metals and related trading markets.

The successful candidate will work closely with senior management and key business functions to ensure the organisation maintains robust regulatory, AML and financial crime controls while supporting the continued growth of the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Compliance function and act as a senior point of contact for compliance and regulatory matters.
• Develop, implement and maintain the company's compliance framework, policies and procedures.
• Oversee AML, CFT, sanctions, KYC, customer due diligence and enhanced due diligence frameworks.
• Ensure compliance with relevant UAE legislation, regulatory requirements and industry standards applicable to gold, precious metals and commodity trading.
• Monitor transactions and business activities for potential financial crime, sanctions and compliance risks.
• Oversee onboarding and ongoing monitoring of customers, counterparties, suppliers and other business relationships.
• Ensure appropriate controls are in place around the sourcing, trading and movement of gold and precious metals.
• Support responsible sourcing and supply-chain due diligence requirements.
• Conduct compliance risk assessments and recommend enhancements to internal controls.
• Manage regulatory reporting, internal compliance reporting and escalation of material compliance issues.
• Maintain effective relationships with regulators, banks, auditors and other external stakeholders.
• Provide advice to senior management on regulatory developments and their potential impact on the business.
• Lead compliance monitoring, testing and periodic reviews across the organisation.
• Coordinate and support regulatory inspections, external audits and internal investigations where required.
• Deliver compliance and financial crime training to employees across the business.
• Promote a strong compliance culture while ensuring controls remain commercially practical.

Candidate Profile

We are looking for an established compliance professional with significant experience within a regulated or highly controlled financial or commodities environment.

Candidates should ideally have:

• Significant experience in Compliance, AML and Financial Crime, including experience operating at senior management or Head of Compliance level.
• Strong knowledge of UAE AML/CFT, sanctions and regulatory requirements.
• Experience within gold, precious metals, commodities, trading, financial services, banking or a closely related sector.
• A strong understanding of KYC, CDD/EDD, transaction monitoring, sanctions screening and financial crime risk.
• Experience dealing with complex international counterparties and cross-border transactions.
• Knowledge of compliance risks associated with physical commodities and supply chains would be highly advantageous.
• Experience interacting with regulators, banks, auditors and senior management.
• Strong leadership, communication and stakeholder-management skills.
• The ability to balance robust compliance standards with the commercial requirements of a large international business.

Previous experience within the gold or precious metals sector would be particularly attractive.