Head of Compliance
United Arab Emirates | Full-time
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)