Head of Onboarding

Location Dubai
Discipline: Governance, Risk, & Compliance
Job type: Permanent
Contact name: Georgia Leatherland

Contact email: georgia.leatherland@venturesearch.com
Job ref: 4016
Published: 22 days ago

Head of Client Onboarding

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

A leading international financial services organisation is seeking an experienced Head of Client Onboarding to take ownership of its client onboarding and due diligence framework in Dubai.

This is a highly visible role responsible for managing the end-to-end onboarding process for new and existing clients, ensuring a seamless client experience while maintaining the highest standards of regulatory compliance, risk management, and operational excellence.

The successful candidate will serve as the subject matter expert for client onboarding, KYC, AML, and client acceptance matters, working closely with Relationship Managers, Compliance, Legal, Operations, and senior stakeholders across the organisation.

Key Responsibilities

Client Onboarding & Client Acceptance

  • Manage the end-to-end onboarding process for private clients, corporate entities, trusts, foundations, and other complex ownership structures.

  • Act as the primary point of contact for all onboarding-related matters, supporting relationship managers and internal stakeholders throughout the client lifecycle.

  • Review and assess onboarding documentation to ensure completeness, accuracy, and compliance with internal policies and regulatory requirements.

  • Coordinate client acceptance and account opening activities, ensuring efficient and timely onboarding outcomes.

  • Support periodic reviews and remediation exercises where required.

AML, KYC & Due Diligence

  • Conduct comprehensive KYC and customer due diligence reviews for prospective and existing clients.

  • Assess client risk profiles and ensure appropriate risk classification and documentation standards are maintained.

  • Review and manage enhanced due diligence cases, including high-risk clients, politically exposed persons (PEPs), and complex structures.

  • Ensure compliance with AML, sanctions, and financial crime prevention requirements.

  • Escalate material risks and regulatory concerns to relevant stakeholders where appropriate.

Regulatory & Risk Management

  • Maintain a robust onboarding framework aligned with local regulatory requirements and internal governance standards.

  • Monitor regulatory developments impacting client onboarding and due diligence processes.

  • Support internal audits, compliance reviews, regulatory inspections, and remediation initiatives.

  • Ensure all client records and documentation are maintained in accordance with applicable regulations and internal policies.

Process Improvement & Operational Excellence

  • Identify opportunities to enhance onboarding processes, controls, and client experience.

  • Drive operational efficiencies and support the implementation of best practices across the onboarding lifecycle.

  • Participate in strategic projects relating to onboarding, digitalisation, regulatory change, and business transformation initiatives.

  • Develop and maintain onboarding procedures, guidelines, and documentation standards.

  • Produce management information and reporting relating to onboarding activity, risks, and key performance indicators.

Stakeholder Management

  • Build strong working relationships with Relationship Managers, Compliance, Legal, Risk, and Operations teams.

  • Provide expert guidance on onboarding requirements, due diligence standards, and client acceptance matters.

  • Act as a trusted advisor on onboarding-related risk and regulatory considerations.

  • Support the business in balancing client service excellence with regulatory obligations.

Candidate Profile

  • Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business, Law, Compliance, or a related discipline.

  • Significant experience in client onboarding, KYC, AML, client due diligence, or client lifecycle management within financial services.

  • Strong knowledge of AML, KYC, sanctions, and financial crime regulations.

  • Experience onboarding high-net-worth individuals, family offices, trusts, foundations, and complex corporate structures.

  • Excellent understanding of risk-based onboarding methodologies and enhanced due diligence requirements.

  • Proven ability to operate autonomously and manage onboarding activities in a lean, high-performing environment.

  • Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders.

  • Excellent communication and relationship management skills.

  • Professional certifications such as CAMS, ICA, ACAMS, or equivalent would be advantageous.

Opportunity

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced onboarding professional to take ownership of a critical function within a sophisticated international financial services environment. The role offers broad exposure across the business, significant stakeholder interaction, and the opportunity to shape and enhance onboarding standards, processes, and controls.