Head of Compliance - Commodities/Trading

Your tasks

The Head of Legal (Compliance) will oversee and manage all compliance-related legal functions within the organisation. This role requires a strong understanding of regulatory frameworks and the ability to provide expert legal guidance. Client Details Our client is a fast-growing international precious metals and mining business with operations spanning the Middle East, Latin America, Europe, and Asia. The organisation operates in a complex, high-risk trading environment and is committed to maintaining the highest standards of compliance, responsible sourcing, and governance. Description * Lead and develop the organisation's compliance programme across multiple UAE entities, ensuring robust governance and risk management. * Oversee AML, KYC, CDD, EDD, sanctions screening, transaction monitoring, and beneficial ownership assessments for high-risk counterparties. * Evaluate source of funds, source of wealth, supply chain integrity, and responsible sourcing risks across international precious metals operations. * Build, implement, and continuously enhance compliance policies, procedures, controls, and governance frameworks. * Act as a key advisor to senior leadership while managing relationships with regulators, banks, auditors, and external advisors. * Lead internal investigations into potential financial crime, sanctions concerns, responsible sourcing issues, and compliance breaches, providing clear recommendations to senior management on risk acceptance and mitigation. Job Offer * Opportunity to build and lead a compliance function with significant autonomy and influence over business decisions. * International exposure across Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, including potential global travel opportunities.

Requirements

• Proven experience leading AML, financial crime, compliance, or risk functions within precious metals, commodities trading, banking, or financial services. * Strong expertise in AML, KYC, CDD, EDD, sanctions screening, transaction monitoring, and beneficial ownership investigations. * Deep understanding of UAE AML/CFT regulations and governance best practices. * Experience engaging with regulators, auditors, banks, and external stakeholders while managing compliance risk independently. * Knowledge of OECD Due Diligence Guidance, LBMA Responsible Sourcing Standards, commodities trading, mining, or precious metals supply chains would be highly advantageous. * Demonstrated ability to challenge stakeholders, make independent risk-based decisions, and operate confidently in a high-growth, entrepreneurial environment with limited compliance infrastructure.