SAR Filing and Reporting Lead

A leading institution in the UAE is building and scaling a digital-first financial services organisation. The organisation will initially focus on client segments in the UAE, including mid to large corporates and institutional clients, with plans to expand into additional segments over time. Backed by a strong balance sheet and significant business pipeline, it aims to become a modern, AI-enabled full-service organisation in the UAE. Role Purpose: The SAR Filing & Reporting Lead investigates escalated alerts and prepares suspicious activity reports for filing with the UAE FIU. The role runs the bank's SAR/STR process and AML regulatory reporting from inception. It reports directly to the MLRO, who retains sole authority for STR filing decisions. Key responsibilities: Investigate escalated transaction-monitoring, sanctions, and fraud alerts and prepare recommended reporting decisions for the MLRO. Prepare and file suspicious-activity/transaction reports with the UAE FIU (goAML) within required timeframes, on the MLRO's approval. Manage the bank's response to FIU requests, production orders, and information requests. Maintain the SAR/STR case-management process and quality-assurance standards. Produce AML regulatory reports and management information on reporting volumes and outcomes. Maintain reporting records and audit trails to meet CBUAE and FIU requirements. Support the MLRO with typology analysis, thematic reviews, and Article 15 client fact-finding. Deploy AI-enabled case analytics and machine-learning models to triage escalated alerts, surface networks and typologies, and draft higher-quality, evidence-rich SAR/STR narratives faster. Leverage AI and automation to streamline goAML filing, FIU-response preparation, and quality assurance — reducing manual effort while strengthening consistency and audit trails. Required Skills & Experience: 8+ years in AML or financial-crime investigations and reporting within banking or financial services, including team leadership. Deep expertise across SAR/STR investigation and filing, FIU reporting, and financial-crime typologies. Track record building or running AML reporting and case-management processes in a regulated environment. Knowledge of CBUAE AML/CFT reporting expectations, Federal Decree-Law 20/2018, UAE AML law, and FIU (goAML) requirements. Exposure to AI-enabled alert triage, case analytics, and advanced tooling. Able to think beyond traditional, manual reporting processes; brings experience of automated or AI-enabled financial-crime services, and advanced case analytics and typology detection. UAE-based candidates preferred. Qualifications & Certifications (Preferred) Bachelor's degree in law, finance, or a related discipline preferred. A professional AML certification (e.g. CAMS or ICA) is preferred. Candidates must meet CBUAE Fit & Proper requirements, and any applicable controlled-function eligibility criteria where required. Ready to join us? Apply today and take the next step in your career. Show more Show less