Head of Compliance

Department:
Compliance

Employment Type:
Full Time

Location:
KSA

Reporting To:
Tommaso Pace

Description
About the role:
As the
Senior Compliance Manager – KSA
, you will lead Tabby's compliance strategy and framework in Saudi Arabia, ensuring full adherence to
SAMA regulations
, AML/CTF obligations, and all relevant legal frameworks. You will act as the
Company's Compliance Officer and MLRO
, serving as the primary point of contact with regulators, owning governance structures, and embedding a strong culture of compliance across the business.

This is a senior leadership role where you will balance regulatory obligations with business growth, ensuring Tabby continues to scale responsibly and sustainably in one of its most strategic markets.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, implementation, and continuous enhancement of Tabby's compliance framework in alignment with SAMA regulations and Saudi Arabian laws.
• Serve as the primary point of contact with SAMA, managing inspections, audits, regulatory inquiries, and license obligations.
• Act as the Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) for Tabby KSA, ensuring robust AML/CTF policies, suspicious transaction reporting (STR), and sanctions compliance.
• Develop and maintain compliance governance structures, including policies, monitoring, reporting, and escalation frameworks tailored to the Saudi market.
• Oversee regulatory reporting and ensure timely submission of all SAMA and ZATCA filings, disclosures, and prudential returns.
• Conduct periodic compliance and AML risk assessments, identifying and mitigating key regulatory and financial crime risks.
• Provide strategic guidance to senior leadership on compliance implications of new products, partnerships, and business models.
• Drive compliance awareness across the organization by leading training programs and embedding compliance into day-to-day operations.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with legal, risk, product, CX, operations, and finance teams to ensure compliance is integrated at every stage.
• Stay on top of regulatory developments, SAMA circulars, and global best practices, proactively adjusting policies and frameworks to ensure ongoing compliance.
• Represent Tabby in industry and regulatory forums, building strong relationships with regulators, auditors, and external stakeholders.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• 8+ years of experience in compliance, legal, or regulatory roles within financial services, fintech, or payments, including senior leadership exposure.
• Proven expertise in SAMA regulations, AML/CTF frameworks, sanctions compliance, KYC/CDD/EDD, transaction monitoring, data privacy, and consumer protection.
• Track record of managing direct relationships with SAMA and other regional regulators.
• Strong understanding of BNPL, digital payments, e-wallets, and fintech operations in Saudi Arabia.
• Experience serving as a Compliance Officer/MLRO or equivalent for a regulated financial institution.
• Excellent leadership and people management skills, with the ability to influence across senior stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to apply regulations pragmatically to business operations.
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Law, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field; professional certifications (e.g., CAMS, CCO, ICA) are highly desirable.
• Bilingual proficiency in Arabic and English.

Who will excel?
The ideal candidate thrives in fast-moving, high-growth environments, is comfortable engaging with regulators at the highest level, and knows how to balance compliance requirements with business strategy. They will be a strong communicator, a strategic thinker, and a hands-on leader who can build robust frameworks while enabling innovation.

At Tabby, we act as owners and are held accountable because Tabby belongs to every one of us. We treat each other and our users with kindness, respect, and inclusivity. We're transparent, open to feedback, and always evolving.

And in return, we offer:

• A global team of inspired professionals and a truly inclusive company culture.
• 100% trust and freedom to apply your vision from day one.
• Employee Stock Options Program – because Tabby belongs to every one of us.
• Relocation support and guidance through all the entire process.
• Remote-first setup, with regular opportunities to connect and collaborate in person.
• Learning and growth opportunities in one of the fastest-growing fintech companies in the region.
• Devices and tools you need to succeed.