Senior Compliance Manager

About the Role

Lean Technologies is seeking a Senior Compliance Manager to lead the compliance function for Lean Technologies KSA (Lean KSA), a SAMA-licensed Major Payment Institution in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This full-time role involves ensuring adherence to the regulatory framework of the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), acting as the primary interface with regulators, and embedding compliance into product development. The successful candidate will hold SAMA’s approved Compliance Officer position and the AML / Financial Crime Officer (MLRO) position for Lean KSA.

Reporting Structure and Responsibilities

This position reports directly to the Board of Directors of Lean KSA and to the Board’s Governance, Legal, Risk and Compliance Committee (GLRCC), with day-to-day reporting to the Group Chief Legal, Risk and Compliance Officer and administrative reporting to the CEO. The role involves presenting quarterly Compliance and Financial Crime reports to the GLRCC and the Board, with direct, unrestricted access to both. The KSA Compliance Officer reports to this role.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive compliance policies and procedures aligned with KSA regulations, including the Law of Payments and Payment Services, SAMA’s Open Banking and Counter-Fraud Frameworks, and Financial Consumer Protection Principles.
• Monitor regulatory changes from SAMA, SDAIA, and other authorities, translating them into actionable guidance.
• Manage the KSA Compliance Annual Plan and compliance risk assessment, reporting progress quarterly to the GLRCC and the Board.
• Lead SAMA supervisory visits, inspections, and compliance audits, ensuring clear communication and resolution of findings.
• Establish and operate a risk-based Compliance Monitoring Program (CMP) and periodic testing across KSA operations.
• Oversee the AML/CFT program as the SAMA-approved Compliance Officer and MLRO, including customer due diligence, sanctions screening, transaction monitoring, and suspicious activity reporting to SAFIU.
• Ensure compliance with SAMA’s Counter-Fraud Framework, including reporting, remediation plans, and chairing the Counter-Fraud Governance Committee.
• Manage SAMA’s approved-persons process for the company, including Fit and Proper submissions and non-objection requests.
• Support data protection and privacy compliance under PDPL and SDAIA, specifically where SAMA obligations intersect with personal data.
• Provide expert compliance advice to business departments, including regulatory review of new products and client segments.
• Manage relationships with SAMA and industry bodies, and lead licence applications and regulatory correspondence.
• Deliver accurate and timely regulatory reporting, including SAMA’s monthly Open Banking reports, quarterly Counter-Fraud Framework returns, and SAFIU filings.
• Own the Consumer Protection and Complaint Handling framework, including SAMA complaints reporting.
• Oversee compliance aspects of outsourcing and third-party arrangements.
• Deliver compliance and financial crime training programs for staff and the Board.
• Manage and develop the KSA Compliance Officer and contribute to team expansion.

Qualifications and Experience

• Experience: 6+ years of compliance experience in financial services, with direct experience within a SAMA-regulated entity. Total experience required is 5-10 years.
• Regulatory Knowledge: In-depth knowledge of KSA financial services regulation applicable to fintechs and payment/open banking providers, including SAMA rules, Open Banking Framework, Counter-Fraud Framework, Financial Consumer Protection Principles, AML/CFT law, and PDPL.
• Program Development: Demonstrated track record of building and managing compliance programs and policies from inception.
• Regulatory Engagement: Direct experience managing SAMA inspections and audits, and liaising with regulators.
• SAMA Requirements: Meets SAMA’s Fit and Proper requirements. Appointment is conditional on SAMA’s written non-objection. A current or prior SAMA non-objection for either the Compliance Officer or MLRO position is a strong advantage.
• Certifications: Relevant compliance certification (*, CAMS) or an equivalent AML / financial crime qualification.
• Desirable Experience: Experience preparing licence applications or regulatory business plans, and working with counter-fraud frameworks and anti-fraud tooling.
• Skills: Excellent analytical skills, attention to detail, ability to interpret complex regulations, and clear written and verbal communication in Arabic and English.
• Work Ethic: Ability to work independently and manage multiple concurrent regulatory workstreams under commercial pressure.
• Nationality: Saudi national (required for AML/CFT function holders under SAMA rules).

Work Environment

This is a full-time position based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, within a fast-growing fintech environment. The role offers the opportunity to play a key part in the compliance function of a SAMA-licensed Major Payment Institution.