Compliance Executive

Apex Group; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 350,000 - 500,000; Full time

Job summary

Apex Group in Abu Dhabi seeks a Compliance Officer & MLRO to lead regulatory licensing, AML/CFT oversight, and governance for FSRA/DFSA regulated activities, including digital assets and crypto exchange operations.

The role requires licensing liaison, risk-based monitoring program development, and reporting to SEO and board committees, with strong independent judgment and regulatory credibility.

Qualifications

• University degree in law, compliance, finance, risk management, or related field.
• Experience with FSRA/DFSA regulation and virtual assets is desirable.
• Experience as an Approved Person, CO, MLRO, or Head of Compliance in a regulated environment.
• Strong AML/KYC framework knowledge.
• Independent, high integrity with regulatory credibility.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage licensing, authorization, and variation of permission applications with FSRA, DFSA and VARA for digital asset activities.
• Serve as the primary regulatory liaison for license applications, submissions, and supervisory engagements.
• Oversee AML/CFT controls, sanctions, and transaction monitoring for crypto operations.
• Advise the Board and senior management on regulatory risks and oversee audits/inspections.
• Develop and implement a risk-based Compliance Monitoring Programme and annual compliance plan.

Skills

AML/KYC frameworks

FSRA/DFSA regulatory knowledge

Regulatory compliance

Governance & risk

Independent judgment

Education

University degree in law, compliance, finance, risk management, or related discipline

Tools

Blockchain analytics tools

Regulatory filings systems

Job description

The Apex Group was established in Bermuda in 2003 and is now one of the world’s largest fund administration and middle office solutions providers. Our business is unique in its ability to reach globally, service locally and provide cross-jurisdictional services. With our clients at the heart of everything we do, our hard-working team has successfully delivered on an unprecedented growth and transformation journey, and we are now represented by over circa 13,000 employees across 112 offices worldwide. Your career with us should reflect your energy and passion. That’s why, at Apex Group, we will do more than simply ‘empower’ you. We will work to supercharge your unique skills and experience. Take the lead and we’ll give you the support you need to be at the top of your game. And we offer you the freedom to be a positive disrupter and turn big ideas into bold, industry-changing realities. For our business, for clients, and for you

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

Regulated Entity: FSRA & 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.

About Apex Group

We are dedicated to driving positive change in financial services while fuelling the growth and ambitions of asset managers, allocators, financial institutions, and family offices. Established in Bermuda in 2003, the Group has continually disrupted the asset serving industry through our investment in innovation and talent. Today, we set the pace in asset servicing and stand out for our unique single-source solution and unified cross asset-class platform which supports the entire value chain, harnesses leading innovative technology, and benefits from cross-jurisdictional expertise delivered by a long-standing management team and over 13,000 highly integrated professionals. We’re a people-powered business, and our people are full of ambition. Together, we’re inspired to lead the new era of data and tech enabled service. Bringing new products and services to market. Sharpening our client focus. Disrupting the market to exceed expectations. Innovating across a range of specialisms. With our focus on making a difference to our people, our planet and our society, you’ll experience more here than you would at most other companies. Prepare to accelerate. We’re a people-powered business with a vision to inspire a new era of service-led FinTech. We’re expanding globally and offering more to our clients. This means you get more opportunities to grow with us. So prepare to accelerate. We’ll make sure the time and effort you put in takes you further, faster. Positive change starts with you. We’re a people-powered business with a vision to inspire a new era of service-led FinTech. We’re expanding globally and offering more to our clients. This means you get more opportunities to grow with us. So prepare to accelerate. We’ll make sure the time and effort you put in takes you further, faster. The journey is yours to own. When you stretch yourself, you grow. We want you to explore ways of working that will see you thrive as part of something bigger. We’ll help you with a solid structure, challenging projects, vibrant networks, supportive colleagues and approachable leaders. All the things you need to own your unique journey. Find out more about us