JOB TITLE: Compliance Manager & MLRO
LOCATION: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead the Compliance and AML/CFT function, ensuring compliance with CBUAE regulations, including the Retail Payment Services and Card Schemes (RPSCS) Regulation.
- Serve as the appointed MLRO, overseeing AML/CFT, CPF, sanctions compliance, EWRA, CDD/EDD, transaction monitoring, STR/SAR reporting, and financial crime investigations.
- Develop and maintain compliance policies, governance frameworks, regulatory obligations, and the annual Compliance Monitoring Programme.
- Monitor regulatory developments, provide compliance advice on new products and strategic initiatives, and support regulatory approvals.
- Lead regulatory inspections, audits, independent reviews, and reporting to Senior Management and the Board.
- Oversee compliance across merchant acquiring, payment aggregation, payment account and payment instrument issuance, and domestic fund transfer services.
- Review high-risk merchants and business relationships while fostering a strong culture of compliance and ethical conduct.
- Build and maintain effective relationships with regulators, banking partners, and card schemes.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor's degree in Law, Finance, Business, Accounting, or a related field.
- Professional certifications such as CAMS, ICA, CFCS, CFE, or equivalent preferred.
- 8+ years in Compliance, AML/CFT, or Financial Crime, with at least 5 years in a senior Compliance/MLRO role in the UAE.
- Strong working knowledge of CBUAE regulations, UAE AML/CFT framework, FATF standards, Targeted Financial Sanctions, and payment industry regulations.
- Experience in merchant acquiring, payment aggregation, digital payments, regulatory inspections, and external audits is preferred.
KEY COMPETENCIES
- Regulatory Compliance & AML/CFT
- MLRO & Financial Crime Compliance
- Governance, Risk & Regulatory Advisory
- Compliance Monitoring & Testing
- Merchant & Product Risk Management
- Leadership & Stakeholder Management
- Strong communication, report writing, and decision-making skills
