Head of Anti Money Laundering (AML) Saudi National

Role Overview

The Head of AML will lead and manage the overall operations and responsibilities of the AML/CTF Department. This full-time role involves developing, implementing, and maintaining the company’s Anti-Money Laundering, Counter-Terrorist Financing, and Proliferation Financing (AML/CTF/PF) framework in Saudi Arabia. The position reports administratively to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and functionally to the Audit Committee, ensuring compliance with Saudi Anti-Money Laundering Law, SAMA requirements, SAFIU reporting obligations, and applicable Targeted Financial Sanctions.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, monitor, and enhance the company’s AML/CTF/PF framework and controls.
• Lead and oversee the AML/CTF Unit’s activities, addressing identified control or process deficiencies.
• Maintain and periodically review AML/CTF/PF policies, procedures, standards, and operating controls.
• Oversee the identification and assessment of financial crime risks across customers, products, services, transactions, and geographic exposure.
• Build and maintain relationships with internal stakeholders, providing guidance on AML/CTF/PF risks and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee sanctions, Targeted Financial Sanctions, and politically exposed person screening controls, including alert investigation and regulatory reporting.
• Provide regular reports to the CEO and Audit Committee on AML/CTF/PF risk exposure, control effectiveness, and remediation actions.
• Oversee transaction monitoring mechanisms, ensuring effective rule tuning and scenario management.
• Ensure appropriate investigation of unusual activities and timely submission of suspicious transaction reports to the Saudi Financial Intelligence Unit.
• Act as the primary contact for AML/CTF/PF matters, coordinating responses to requests from SAMA, SAFIU, and other authorities.
• Manage and develop the AML/CTF team, establishing clear responsibilities and ensuring adequate resources and capabilities.

Qualifications and Experience

• At least 6+ years of relevant experience in AML/CTF, financial crime compliance, or regulatory compliance, including a leadership or management role under SAMA supervision.
• Strong knowledge of the Saudi AML/CTF regulatory framework, SAMA requirements, SAFIU reporting obligations, Targeted Financial Sanctions, and international standards.
• Extensive experience in transaction monitoring, alert and case management, suspicious activity investigations, sanctions screening, and AML system capabilities.
• Strong understanding of money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing risks, typologies, red flags, and control practices.
• Relevant professional certification, such as CAMS, an ICA qualification, or an equivalent financial crime compliance certification.
• Previous approval or pre-approval by SAMA is desirable.

Required Skills

• Strong leadership, analytical, decision-making, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with sound judgment, independence, and integrity.

Work Environment

This full-time position is based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Head of AML will work closely with business and control functions to identify and assess financial crime risks and ensure effective controls are consistently implemented across the company.