Head of Compliance & MLRO (UAE)

Responsibilities:

• Own the CMA (SCA) license application end-to-end: documentation, submissions, regulator meetings, and responses to queries
• Be named as the designated Compliance Officer; obtain and maintain personal fit & proper approval
• Serve as the Company`s primary liaison with relevant regulatory authorities.
• Design the UAE Compliance Framework: policies manual, compliance monitoring program, internal controls register, and client classification
• Prepare and submit the Annual Compliance Report (ACR) and semi-annual internal controls reports to the CMA
• Act as the named MLRO with full statutory responsibility, register and maintain MLRO designation on the UAEFIU goAML system
• Build the Compliance Management Framework (CMF) specifically for Category 5 activities: Investment Intermediation, Client Classification (Retail vs. Professional), and Suitability Assessments
• Manage the end-to-end STR lifecycle: alert review, investigation, goAML filing, and liaison with UAEFIU and law enforcement where required
• Conduct the annual Business-Wide AML Risk Assessment and present findings to the board; ensure sanctions screening (OFAC, UN, EU, UAE) is embedded across onboarding and transaction monitoring
• Monitor CMA regulatory developments; translate changes into concrete actions with defined timelines; evaluate new business initiatives and provide compliance opinions
• Review and approve all UAE client-facing marketing materials; maintain the complaints handling framework with defined resolution timescales and regulatory reporting
• Prepare monthly and quarterly board-level compliance reports; coordinate external audits and manage remediation of findings to closure
• Design and deliver AML/compliance training for all UAE staff; act as the internal regulatory advisor to partners, operations, finance, and product teams

Requirements:

• 7+ years in financial compliance: Minimum 3 years in the UAE under CMA (SCA) regulation. DFSA/FSRA background considered
• Bachelor's degree: Law, Finance, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field
• Proven CMA (SCA) license track record: Personally led a CMA (SCA) license application
• Retail FX/CFD expertise: Deep understanding of retail FX/CFD products from a compliance perspective
• Relevant professional qualification acceptable to the CMA (e.g. CISI UAE Financial Rules & Regulations or equivalent)
• Clean fit & proper record: Must have been previously approved as a CO/MLRO by the SCA (CMA)
• goAML expert proficiency: Hands-on experience with UAEFIU goAML: registration, STR filing, and ongoing system maintenance
• UAE residency: ​​physically based in the UAE and eligible to serve as a named Compliance Officer and MLRO with the CMA
• AML/CFT legal framework mastery

Will be a plus:

• CAMS, ICA Diploma, ACFCS, or equivalent compliance qualification
• LLM, MBA, or postgraduate degree in compliance, law, or finance
• Prior experience coordinating multi-jurisdiction compliance standards within an international group
• Professional proficiency in Arabic is a meaningful advantage in regulator engagement

We offer:

• Paid time off, including annual leave, sick leave, and public holidays
• Medical budget
• Professional education budget
• Language learning budget
• Wellness budget (gym membership, sports gear and related expenses)