Director, AML Compliance Middle East, Pakistan and Afghanistan– based in Dubai, UAE

Are you ready to step into a broad, high-impact leadership role with significant growth potential, where you will shape regional strategy, expand your external profile, and support innovation in areas such as digital and wallet-based solutions? Are you passionate about protecting global financial systems in complex, high-risk environments? 

Do you bring strong experience managing high-risk customers, geographies, and partnerships, along with the judgment to navigate a diverse and evolving regulatory landscape? 

Would you like to lead AML compliance across a strategically important region, building trusted relationships with country and regional leaders, regulators, and key stakeholders, while influencing critical business decisions?  

Join Western Union as Director, AML Compliance for the Middle East, Pakistan and Afghanistan, based in Dubai. 

Western Union empowers your journey. 

In this role, you will lead a growing Dubai-based team. You will play a key role in regionalizing AML functions, strengthening executive-level engagement, and elevating Western Union’s presence across regulators and partners in the region. 

This is a hybrid role based in Dubai (minimum 3 days in the office). 

Role Responsibilities 

• Lead AML compliance across the Middle East, Pakistan and Afghanistan, with direct accountability for risk exposure related to customer activity, geographic footprint, and partner network 

• Serve as the primary compliance partner to regional and country leadership, providing clear, actionable guidance on risk, controls, and regulatory expectations 

• Represent the organization with regulators and external stakeholders, strengthening credibility and supporting business growth in a strategically important region 

• Oversee and refine AML frameworks to ensure they remain effective, scalable, and aligned with both regulatory requirements and evolving business models 

• Manage and develop a Dubai-based team, with responsibility for expanding capabilities and supporting the shift toward more regionalized operations 

• Guide compliance strategy for digital and wallet-based offerings, ensuring appropriate controls are embedded as products evolve 

• Handle complex, high-impact issues and escalations, driving timely resolution while balancing regulatory and commercial priorities 

• Work closely with business and functional teams to ensure compliance considerations are integrated into market expansion, partnerships, and product initiatives 

• Increase the visibility and impact of the AML function across the region through proactive engagement with internal and external stakeholders 

• Drive a high-performance environment with the immediate and broader team, focused on accountability, sound judgment, and consistent execution 

Role Requirements 

• Proven leadership background in AML compliance within the region, with demonstrated accountability for risk oversight and program delivery 

• Significant experience within financial services, payments, regulatory bodies including the Central Bank of the UAE, or legal advisory, with a strong focus on AML and financial crime compliance 

• Experience operating in complex, multi-jurisdictional organizations, with the ability to navigate differing regulatory expectations and risk profiles 

• Track record of leading and developing teams, ideally across multiple countries and diverse regulatory environments 

• Familiarity with compliance tools, data-driven approaches, and industry best practices 

• Demonstrated ability to manage high-risk scenarios, solve complex problems, and make sound, timely decisions 

• Highly developed analytical and strategic thinking capabilities, with strong attention to detail 

• Credible and impactful leader, able to influence senior stakeholders, regulators, and cross-functional partners 

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey complex topics clearly and effectively 

• Bachelor’s degree required; law or other advanced degree preferred 

• Fluency in English required; Arabic is a strong advantage 

We make financial services accessible to humans everywhere. Join us for what’s next.   

Western Union is well positioned to become the world’s most accessible financial services company —transforming lives and communities. More than moving money, we design easy-to-use products and services for our digital and physical financial ecosystem that help our customers move forward.  

Just as we help our global customers prosper, we support our employees in achieving their professional aspirations. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to learn new skills and build a career, as well as receive a great compensation package. If you’re ready to help drive the future of financial services, it’s time for Western Union. Learn more about our purpose and people at https://careers.westernunion.com/ 

Benefits  

You will also have access to short-term incentives, multiple health insurance options, accident and life insurance, and access to best-in-class development platforms, to name a few (https://careers.westernunion.com/global-benefits/).

Please see the location-specific benefits below and note that your Recruiter may share additional role-specific benefits during your interview process or in an offer of employment.   

Your UAE specific benefits include:    

• Group Life policy, fully sponsored by Western Union   

• Comprehensive Group Medical policy – Spouse and children up to age 25 can be covered, subject to the insurer’s review of eligibility. The cost of this benefit is fully sponsored by Western Union.   

• Housing Allowance   

• Children Education Reimbursement scheme   

• Club Membership Reimbursement program  

Western Union values in-person collaboration, learning, and ideation whenever possible. We believe this creates value through common ways of working and supports the execution of enterprise objectives which will ultimately help us achieve our strategic goals. By connecting face-to-face, we are better able to learn from our peers, problem-solve together, and innovate.   

Our Hybrid Work Model categorizes each role into one of three categories. Western Union has determined the category of this role to be Hybrid. This is defined as a flexible working arrangement that enables employees to divide their time between working from home and working from an office location. The expectation is to work from the office a minimum of three days a week.   

We are passionate about diversity. Our commitment is to provide an inclusive culture that celebrates the unique backgrounds and perspectives of our global teams while reflecting the communities we serve. We do not discriminate based on race, colour, national origin, religion, political affiliation, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, marital status, or veteran status. The company will provide accommodation to applicants, including those with disabilities, during the recruitment process, following applicable laws.