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Senior Director - Governance, Risk & Compliance

Abu Dhabi Permanent View Job Description
This is a newly created executive leadership opportunity to establish and lead an independent Governance, Risk & Compliance function across the organisation. The successful candidate will design and implement enterprise-wide governance, risk, compliance, resilience, and oversight frameworks while building a strong risk-aware culture and partnering closely with executive leadership and the Board.
  • Build a GRC function from scratch for a successful and growing organisation
  • Requires 15+ years' enterprise GRC experience with large, complex businesses

About Our Client

Our client is a large and diversified organisation currently undertaking a significant transformation programme. As part of its evolution, the business is strengthening its corporate governance framework and establishing new standalone corporate functions to support future growth, risk management, and regulatory oversight.

Job Description

  • Design and implement the Group Governance Framework, policies, committee structures, and delegated authorities.
  • Establish enterprise-wide risk management frameworks, risk appetite statements, and reporting mechanisms.
  • Develop and oversee regulatory compliance programmes, controls, and governance processes.
  • Lead business continuity, crisis management, and organisational resilience initiatives.
  • Provide governance oversight for information security, cyber risk, and emerging technology risks.
  • Support ESG governance initiatives and integrate sustainability considerations into enterprise risk management.
  • Build and lead the Governance, Risk & Compliance function, including recruiting and developing a high-performing team.



The Successful Applicant

  • 15+ years of experience within Governance, Risk & Compliance, Enterprise Risk, or related disciplines.
  • Proven track record of building, transforming, or leading enterprise-wide GRC functions.
  • Strong expertise across corporate governance, enterprise risk management, compliance, internal controls, and business continuity.
  • Experience working with Boards, Executive Committees, and C-suite stakeholders.
  • Demonstrated ability to influence senior leaders and drive governance and risk maturity across complex organisations.
  • Exposure to ESG governance, information security governance, cyber risk, or AI governance would be advantageous.



What's on Offer

  • Opportunity to build a Governance, Risk & Compliance function from scratch.
  • High-profile leadership role with direct Board and Executive exposure.
  • Significant strategic influence across the entire organisation.
  • Greenfield environment where you can shape frameworks, processes, and culture from inception.
  • Key role within a wider corporate transformation programme.
  • Visible position with long-term impact on organisational governance and risk maturity
Contact
Ian Pollington
Quote job ref
JN-072026-7066808

Job summary

Sector
Consultancy, Strategy and Change
Subsector
Governance, Risk & Compliance (PMO)
Industry
Financial Services
Where
Abu Dhabi
Contract type
Permanent
Consultant name
Ian Pollington
Job reference
JN-072026-7066808

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