Branch Compliance Head

The Head of Branch Compliance Assurance leads the design, execution, and continuous enhancement of the compliance monitoring and assurance framework across the branch distribution network. This senior leadership role ensures all branch banking operations, customer-facing units, and branch-lite touchpoints adhere strictly to internal risk policies, statutory laws, Anti-Money Laundering/Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) mandates, and supervisory standards (e.g., central bank and financial regulatory frameworks).

The role is responsible for driving risk-based branch compliance testing, identifying systemic operational and regulatory risks, orchestrating prompt remediation, and fostering a strong ethical culture across front-line branch teams.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Compliance Oversight & Assurance

• Develop and execute the annual risk-based Branch Compliance Assurance Plan covering operational processes, account opening, tellering, lending, and cash management.
• Lead on-site compliance examinations, thematic reviews, and off-site transactional surveillance across all physical branches and digital service units.
• Assess the effectiveness of internal branch controls and recommend structural safeguards against non-compliance, fraud, and procedural lapses.

Regulatory Alignment & AML/CTF Oversight

• Monitor branch network adherence to Know Your Customer (KYC), customer due diligence (CDD), enhanced due diligence (EDD), and sanctions screening requirements.
• Ensure strict implementation of regulatory guidelines, consumer protection standards, data privacy mandates, and central bank regulations.
• Serve as the primary liaison between branch operations and regulatory examination teams during official regulatory audits and internal audit reviews.

Issue Remediation & Management Reporting

• Formulate comprehensive assurance reports for the Chief Compliance Officer, Board Audit and Compliance Committee, and Senior Management detailing review findings, risk scores, and root-cause analyses.
• Track Corrective Action Plans (CAPs) resulting from branch reviews, internal/external audits, and regulatory examinations to verify prompt closure of identified deficiencies.
• Quantify branch compliance performance metrics (Key Risk Indicators / Key Performance Indicators) to identify repeat offenders or emerging risk trends.

Team Leadership & Culture Building

• Direct, mentor, and evaluate regional compliance assurance officers and compliance inspectors.
• Spearhead regular branch compliance training programs, regulatory refreshers, and ethical conduct workshops for branch managers and frontline staff.
• Partner with Branch Operations, Retail Banking Leadership, and Legal to embed compliance-by-design into new retail products and operating procedures.

Qualifications & Competencies

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accountancy, Economics, Law, or a related field. Professional certifications (e.g., Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist [CAMS], Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager [CRCM], CPA, or CIA) are highly preferred.
• Experience: Minimum of 8–10 years of progressive experience in regulatory compliance, risk management, internal audit, or branch operations within a commercial/thrift bank, financial institution, or heavily regulated retail financial network. At least 4–5 years in a supervisory or management capacity.
• Regulatory Expertise: Deep operational knowledge of retail banking regulations, AML/CTF frameworks, consumer protection laws, and central bank compliance rules.
• Analytical & Audit Skills: Proven track record in executing risk assessments, compliance reviews, sampling methodology, and root-cause evaluations.
• Leadership & Stakeholder Management: Exceptional interpersonal and negotiation skills, capable of constructively challenging branch heads while serving as a trusted advisory partner.
• Mobility: Willingness to travel periodically to branch locations across regional hubs as required by review schedules.