Compliance Executive

For our business, for clients, and for you

Role: Compliance Officer & Money Laundering Reporting Officer (CO/MLRO)

Regulated Entity: FSRA and DFSA

Primary Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Regulatory Status: Approved Person – Compliance Officer & MLRO (FSRA / DFSA)

ROLE PURPOSE:

• The CO/MLRO is a senior control function holder, with primary responsibility for regulatory compliance, AML/CFT oversight, licensing, and governance businesses regulated by the FSRA, DFSA and/or VAR in the UAE.

Key Responsibilities – Regulatory Licensing & Authorizations

• Lead and manage end-to-end licensing, authorization, and variation of permission applications with the FSRA, DFSA, and VARA for digital asset, virtual asset, and crypto exchange activities.
• Act as the primary regulatory liaison for all license applications, regulatory submissions, and post-authorization supervisory engagements.
• Prepare and oversee regulatory business plans, compliance frameworks, AML/CTF frameworks, governance documents, and Approved Person submissions required for authorization.
• Coordinate responses to regulatory queries, information requests, thematic reviews, and inspections conducted by FSRA, DFSA, or VARA.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with license conditions, regulatory commitments, and supervisory action plans.

Key Responsibilities – Compliance Oversight

• Serve as the principal point of contact with the FSRA and DFSA for all compliance matters.
• Design, implement, and maintain compliance frameworks tailored to virtual assets, digital assets, and crypto exchange operations.
• Ensure compliance across products including token listings, spot trading, wallets, custody solutions, staking, and stablecoins.
• Monitor regulatory developments impacting digital assets (FSRA, DFSA, VARA awareness) and ensure timely policy updates.
• Develop and execute a risk-based Compliance Monitoring Programme and annual compliance plan.
• Oversee all regulatory filings, notifications, approvals, and periodic reporting obligations.
• Provide regular compliance reporting to the Senior Executive Officer (SEO), Governing Body, and Board committees.

Key Responsibilities – AML/CFT & Financial Crime

• Act as the MLRO and primary point of contact with the UAE Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and competent authorities.
• Establish, implement, and maintain AML/CFT, sanctions, and counter-proliferation financing frameworks aligned with FSRA and DFSA AML Rulebooks.
• Oversee crypto-specific AML controls including blockchain analytics and transaction monitoring tools.
• Ensure compliance with Travel Rule requirements, ongoing monitoring obligations, and STR/SAR reporting.
• Conduct enterprise-wide AML and financial crime risk assessments covering custody risks, smart contract risks, cross-border flows, and fraud typologies.
• Deliver AML/CFT training to staff, senior management, and Board members.

Governance, Risk & Assurance

• Advise the Board and senior management on regulatory risks and compliance matters. Identify, assess, and mitigate regulatory, operational, and financial crime risks.
• Coordinate regulatory audits, inspections, and independent reviews, managing remediation actions to closure.
• Maintain regulatory registers including breaches, complaints, training records, regulatory correspondence, and suspicious transactions.
• Embed compliance-by-design principles within technology, product development, and blockchain integrations.

Experience & Competency Requirements

• University degree in law, compliance, finance, risk management, or a related discipline.
• Relevant compliance and regulatory experience, with strong exposure to virtual assets, digital assets, or crypto exchange businesses.
• Prior experience as an Approved Person, Compliance Officer, MLRO, or Head of Compliance in a regulated environment.
• Strong working knowledge of FSRA and DFSA regulatory experience is highly desirable.
• Hands-on experience with AML/KYC frameworks. Ability to operate independently with sound judgment, seniority, integrity, and regulatory credibility.

Disclaimer: Unsolicited CVs sent to Apex (Talent Acquisition Team or Hiring Managers) by recruitment agencies will not be accepted for this position. Apex operates a direct sourcing model and where agency assistance is required, the Talent Acquisition team will engage directly with our exclusive recruitment partners.