Compliance Officer and MLRO

Apex Group Ltd; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 223,200 - 279,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

High level of visibility in the organization

Dynamic and fast-paced team

Opportunity to drive compliance innovation

Job summary

A leading global financial services firm is seeking a Compliance Officer and MLRO in Abu Dhabi. This role will oversee compliance and regulatory obligations, implement monitoring programs, and serve as the MLRO. Candidates should have 5-7 years in financial services, especially in fund administration, with strong knowledge of UAE AML laws. The position offers high visibility and the chance to shape compliance processes in a dynamic team environment.

Qualifications

• 5 to 7 years of financial services experience in fund administration.
• Strong understanding of relevant regulations in UAE.
• Ability to adapt to changing environments.

Responsibilities

• Oversee compliance with regulatory obligations.
• Implement Compliance Monitoring Programme.
• Manage communications with regulators.
• Act as the firm's MLRO and monitor suspicious transactions.

Skills

Financial services experience

Understanding of UAE and International AML Laws

Relevant professional qualifications (AML, CDD, Compliance)

Experience in Customer Due Diligence (CDD/KYC)

Excellent communication skills

Leadership skills

Solutions-driven critical thinking

Education

Professional qualifications in compliance or risk

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 and MLRO
Role Location: Abu Dhabi
Employment Type: Permanent
Reporting line: Reports into the Regional Compliance Officer – Middle East

Role and Responsibilities

Role and Responsibilities include:
Setting, establishing and monitoring adherence to processes, policies and procedures to meet compliance, legal and regulatory requirements.

• Overseeing licensing requirements and regulatory obligations while ensuring that compliance activity takes account of all relevant legislation and ADGM/FSRA/SCA related activities;
• Review of compliance and internal control operations and ensuring that they are in adherence with the firm’s and Apex Group’s Policies and Procedures;
• Ensuring the effective implementation of the Compliance Monitoring Programme and performing monitoring activities;
• Ensuring that non-compliant findings are tracked with the respective business function managers until resolved;
• Reporting to and liaising with the SEO, Regional Compliance Officer and the Board as required, on compliance related matters;
• Preparing and submitting compliance reports to management and various committees and governance structures within the Apex Group;
• Preparing and submitting reports to regulatory authorities;
• Keeping up-to-date with all relevant laws and regulations and communicating regulatory changes and developments to senior management and staff;
• Providing advice, and assistance where relevant, to senior management and staff on Apex Group compliance-related matters;
• Setting strategy for managing the relationship with the Regulator(s) and for all operational aspects of it, including visits and reporting;
• Handling communications with the Regulator(s), obtaining approvals as required, notifying the Regulator as required for all compliance-related matters;
• Maintaining a register of PEPs, High Risk clients and investors; complaints, conflicts of interest, compliance and data breaches, and actively manage adherence to the complaints process and mitigation of breaches;
• Providing assistance and support in satisfying staff training and development needs and plans to new regulations and legislation;
• Preparing training material and deliver training in compliance with regulatory obligations and business procedures;
• Oversight and management of the regulatory risks within the business;
• Acting as the firm’s MLRO, establishing and maintaining the firm’s Anti Money Laundering policies, procedures, systems and controls in compliance with the Regulatory Anti Money Laundering rules and all relevant legislation applicable in the jurisdiction and Group Apex Policies;
• Monitoring suspicious transactions, identify potential sanctions and submit reporting as required;
• Promoting a positive compliance culture through engagement with staff;
• Handling other ad-hoc compliance-related projects that may be assigned from time to time;
• Ensure that the firm adheres to data protection requirements, staff are informed about their obligations and responsibilities and raise awareness about them;
• Give advice and recommendations to the firm about the interpretation or application of the data protection rules;
• Monitor that a register of processing operations is maintained by the firm;

Skills Required

• Financial services experience of 5 to 7 years working within a financial environment, specifically Fund Administration experience.
• Understanding of the relevant regulations in UAE and International AML Laws.
• Relevant professional qualifications e.g. AML, CDD, Compliance, Risk, or equivalent.
• Experience in Customer Due Diligence (CDD/KYC) on various international corporate structures and risk profiles.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.
• Experienced leader able to develop team members.
• Motivated and driven and a team player.
• Solutions driven critical thinking, with the ability to adapt to change.

What you will get in return

• A high level of visibility within a large organisation on an upwards trajectory
• The ability to define compliance processes to drive innovation and have a tangible impact on the business
• Be part of a dynamic and fast-paced team that makes a genuine impact on the business
• Exposure to all aspects of the business and cross-jurisdiction
• The opportunity to innovate, bring discipline to brand activity and really make a difference.

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.