Compliance Officer & Money Laundering Reporting Officer (CO/MLRO)
Location: DIFC, Dubai, UAE
A leading international banking group is seeking an experienced Compliance Officer & Money Laundering Reporting Officer (CO/MLRO) to join its Dubai-based regulated branch.
This is a senior, high-visibility role responsible for leading the compliance and AML/CFT framework of a growing financial institution operating across international markets. The successful candidate will play a key role in strengthening governance arrangements, supporting regulatory growth initiatives, and acting as a trusted advisor to senior management and business teams.
Key Responsibilities
- Hold responsibility for the Compliance Officer and MLRO functions, subject to regulatory approval.
- Act as the primary compliance contact with the regulator, managing regulatory engagement, notifications, reporting and inspections.
- Own and enhance the firm's compliance framework, including policies, procedures, compliance monitoring programme and governance documentation.
- Lead the AML/CFT framework, including customer due diligence, enhanced due diligence, sanctions screening, transaction monitoring and suspicious activity reporting.
- Provide practical compliance advice to front-office teams on corporate banking activities, trade finance, lending and financial institution relationships.
- Oversee client onboarding and periodic reviews across corporate, institutional and higher-risk client segments.
- Deliver compliance and AML training and promote a strong compliance culture across the organisation.
- Prepare compliance reporting for senior management, governance committees and Group stakeholders.
- Support regulatory projects, including business growth initiatives, systems implementation and licence enhancement activities.
Candidate Requirements
- Previous experience as a DFSA Authorised Individual (Compliance Officer and/or MLRO), or a strong DIFC regulatory track record enabling a successful approval process.
- Minimum 7 years compliance experience within the DIFC or comparable regulated financial services environment.
- Strong knowledge of the DFSA Rulebook, UAE AML/CFT requirements and financial crime regulations.
- Banking experience with exposure to corporate banking, trade finance, lending, syndicated facilities or financial institutions preferred.
- Demonstrated experience building and maintaining compliance frameworks within regulated firms.
- Strong understanding of KYC, sanctions, transaction monitoring and regulatory reporting requirements.
- Ability to operate as a hands-on compliance leader, balancing strategic oversight with day-to-day execution.
- Professional qualifications such as ICA, ACAMS or equivalent are advantageous.
- Fluency in English is required; Arabic would be an advantage.
The Opportunity
This is an opportunity to take ownership of a key regulatory function within an international banking platform, working closely with senior leadership and regulators while supporting the continued development of a growing business.
