Vice President – Corporate Affairs & Compliance

Position OverviewThe Vice President will lead and oversee three strategic governance functions of the Group — Corporate Affairs, Compliance & Anti-Money Laundering (AML), and Contracts Compliance. The role is pivotal in ensuring legal compliance, robust governance, and the protection of the Group’s corporate integrity across global jurisdictions. The incumbent will design, direct, and implement governance frameworks, compliance programs, and contractual oversight mechanisms that uphold transparency, mitigate risk, and sustain the Group’s reputation and operational continuity.Key ResponsibilitiesA. Corporate Affairs DepartmentStrategic LeadershipOversee the full corporate lifecycle of all group entities across multiple jurisdictions (470+ companies), ensuring structural integrity, governance alignment, and compliance with applicable laws and internal policies.Serve as the principal liaison with regulators, legal advisors, and government authorities on corporate governance and entity management matters.Drive digital transformation of corporate governance through the Corporate Affairs Portal and centralized compliance trackers.Core DeliverablesDevelop, implement, and continuously enhance the Group’s Corporate Governance Framework in alignment with international best practices and local regulations.Oversee Board and Committee governance operations, including agenda planning, resolutions, and statutory record management.Supervise incorporation, restructuring, mergers, acquisitions, and liquidations of group entities.Ensure timely and accurate regulatory filings and maintain a global compliance calendar.Manage license and permit renewals, ensuring uninterrupted business operations and regulatory compliance.Maintain an updated and accurate entity database and statutory registers.B. Compliance and Anti-Money Laundering DepartmentStrategic LeadershipUphold the Group’s integrity and compliance culture by overseeing the Charter of Authority, AML/Sanctions Framework, and compliance-related projects.Develop and implement policies, systems, and monitoring mechanisms to ensure compliance with international AML regulations, sanctions laws, and financial crime prevention standards.Core DeliverablesDevelop and maintain the Charter of Authority (CoA) and governance framework for all Group entities, ensuring consistent delegation of authority.Lead the creation of a comprehensive compliance framework for emerging digital business initiatives.Oversee all AML, sanctions, and financial crime screening, including CDD/EDD, source-of-funds verification, and KYC compliance.Supervise escalation and resolution of positive matches through formal internal approval processes.Maintain and update Compliance Dashboards and reporting metrics to track performance and regulatory status.Oversee Compliance-related projects initiated by the Executive Office, ensuring timely delivery and effective stakeholder coordination.C. Contracts Compliance DepartmentStrategic LeadershipDirect the oversight of all contractual compliance matters related to the Group’s real estate, hospitality, and data centre businesses, ensuring obligations are met and records are accurately maintained.Embed a proactive compliance culture across projects, ensuring contract lifecycle visibility and risk mitigation.Core DeliverablesOversee compliance with corporate agreements including joint ventures, brand agreements, project contracts, MOUs, and financing arrangements.Supervise the management and renewal of Powers of Attorney, ensuring valid and current authorizations.Oversee compliance with jurisdiction-specific contract obligations, including Qatar’s Dhareeba Portal submissions.Manage all trademark registrations, renewals, and infringement monitoring, ensuring IP protection and regulatory compliance.Ensure integration of all contractual and trademark records within digital compliance platforms.Leadership & Governance ResponsibilitiesProvide visionary leadership and strategic direction to departmental heads across all three units.Establish unified governance standards and cross-departmental coordination to eliminate silos and ensure consistency in policy implementation.Develop, train, and mentor team members to enhance their technical proficiency and strategic awareness.Represent the Group before regulatory authorities, auditors, and external stakeholders.Advise senior management on governance, compliance, and risk exposure matters, recommending mitigating strategies.Promote a culture of accountability, transparency, and ethical conduct throughout the organization.Qualifications and ExperienceBachelor’s Degree in Law, Business Administration, or related field (Master’s preferred).Minimum 15 years of post-qualification experience, with at least 8 years in a senior leadership role overseeing corporate governance, compliance, or legal operations in a diversified group or multinational environment.Proven expertise in corporate structuring, cross-border compliance, AML frameworks, and contractual governance.In-depth understanding of UAE and GCC corporate laws, international compliance regimes (FATF, OFAC, EU Sanctions, etc.), and regulatory frameworks.Demonstrated experience in leading high-performing, multi-disciplinary teams.Strong stakeholder management, negotiation, and policy formulation skills.Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence senior leadership and external authorities.Key CompetenciesStrategic and analytical leadership.Advanced understanding of regulatory compliance and governance structures.Cross-jurisdictional legal and operational awareness.Strong ethical compass and risk management acumen.Technological fluency in corporate governance and compliance systems.Results-driven, with a strong focus on execution and delivery.Performance MetricsTimeliness and accuracy of regulatory filings and renewals.Zero tolerance for compliance breaches or penalties.Efficient corporate structure management and documentation accuracy.Successful implementation of AML and compliance frameworks.High stakeholder satisfaction and internal audit compliance ratings.Continuous improvement initiatives implemented across departments.