Compliance Lead

Department: ComplianceEmployment Type: Full TimeLocation: KSAReporting To: Mohammed Al ShammariDescriptionAs the Compliance Lead for Tabby in Saudi Arabia, you will be the driving force behind the development and execution of Tabby's compliance strategy and framework. Your primary responsibility will be to ensure full adherence to all relevant regulations, including SAMA guidelines, AML/CTF obligations, and the broader legal framework in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In this role, you will serve as Tabby’s Compliance Officer and Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO), acting as the primary point of contact for regulators and ensuring the company’s governance and compliance structures are robust, efficient, and aligned with the business’s growth.Key Responsibilities Compliance Strategy & Framework: Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of Tabby’s compliance framework in Saudi Arabia, ensuring alignment with SAMA regulations and local laws. Regulatory Engagement: Act as the main point of contact with SAMA, managing inspections, audits, regulatory inquiries, and ensuring compliance with all regulatory obligations, including licensing requirements. AML/CTF Oversight: Serve as the Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO), ensuring robust anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) policies, suspicious transaction reporting (STR), and sanctions compliance. Governance & Reporting: Develop and maintain compliance governance structures, including policies, monitoring, reporting, and escalation frameworks specific to the Saudi market. Oversee regulatory reporting, ensuring timely submission of all SAMA, ZATCA filings, disclosures, and prudential returns. Risk Management: Conduct periodic compliance and AML risk assessments, proactively identifying and mitigating key regulatory and financial crime risks to the business. Strategic Advisory: Provide strategic guidance to senior leadership on the compliance implications of new products, partnerships, and business models to ensure that growth initiatives are aligned with regulatory requirements. Training & Awareness: Drive compliance awareness across the organization by designing and delivering training programs. Embed compliance into day-to-day operations, ensuring the team is equipped to adhere to regulatory obligations. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate with teams across the business, including legal, risk, product, customer experience (CX), operations, and finance, ensuring compliance is integrated at every stage of product development and business operation. Regulatory Insight: Stay up-to-date with regulatory developments, including SAMA circulars and global best practices, adapting policies and procedures to ensure ongoing compliance.Skills, Knowledge & Expertise 8+ years in compliance, legal, or regulatory roles within financial services, fintech, or payments, including significant exposure to senior leadership responsibilities. In-depth knowledge of SAMA regulations, AML/CTF frameworks, sanctions compliance, KYC/CDD/EDD, transaction monitoring, data privacy, and consumer protection. Proven track record in managing direct relationships with SAMA and other regional regulators. Strong leadership and people management skills, with the ability to influence and engage senior stakeholders across the organization. Extensive understanding of BNPL (Buy Now, Pay Later), digital payments, e-wallets, and fintech operations in Saudi Arabia. Previous experience serving as a Compliance Officer/MLRO or equivalent for a regulated financial institution is highly desirable. Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Law, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field. Professional certifications such as CAMS, CCO, or ICA are preferred. Bilingual proficiency in Arabic and English is essential.