Head of Compliance / MLRO

capital.com; Dubai; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Join Capital Vault as the Head of Compliance & MLRO, a strategic role in ensuring compliance with SCA regulations for a new crypto infrastructure. You'll develop robust compliance programs, oversee AML initiatives, and interact with regulators while leading a dynamic team in a fast-paced industry.

Benefits

Competitive Salary

Annual Performance Bonus

Generous Time Off

Comprehensive Health & Pension Benefits

Workation opportunities

Volunteer Days

Qualifications

• 5+ years in compliance or AML leadership role in financial services or crypto sector.
• In-depth knowledge of UAE regulatory environment, especially SCA regulations.
• Certifications like ACAMS or ACFCS preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain compliance programs ensuring adherence to SCA regulations.
• Lead Anti-Money Laundering programs and conduct risk assessments.
• Act as primary liaison with SCA, providing compliance reports to leadership.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Analytical thinking

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Law, Finance, or Business Administration

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

AML software

KYC/KYB platforms

Blockchain analytic tools

Job description

Capital Vault is a newly formed crypto infrastructure business backed by the Capital.com Group. CV is preparing to launch a crypto spot exchange, custodial wallet, and custody services under the SCA regime in the UAE.

The Head of Compliance & Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) is a dual leadership role responsible for steering the compliance and anti-financial crime strategy of Capital Vault UAE. This position is critical to ensuring the firm’s operations fully comply with the UAE Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) regulations and the broader UAE legal framework

The role combines overall compliance oversight (covering areas such as licensing, data protection, client fund protection, and complaints handling) with the dedicated responsibilities of an MLRO to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing. This position reports directly to the Board of Directors and functionally to the Head of Compliance for the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) region, reflecting its high-level accountability and strategic importance.

Responsibilities

Compliance Leadership & Regulatory Oversight:

• Compliance Program Management: Develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive compliance program covering all aspects of the business, ensuring adherence to SCA regulations and applicable UAE laws and guidelines.
• Regulatory Compliance & Licensing: Ensure the company’s operations remain in full compliance with the terms of its SCA license, including timely fulfillment of licensing obligations, renewals, and any required regulatory filings or approvals for new products or services.
• Policy Development: Draft, update, and enforce internal compliance policies and procedures in line with current UAE legislation and international best practices.
• Data Protection: Oversee data protection and privacy compliance, implementing measures to safeguard customer information in accordance with UAE data protection laws and relevant international standards.
• Client Asset Protection: Implement and monitor controls to protect client funds and crypto assets (e.g., segregation of client accounts, secure custody arrangements), ensuring robust safeguards in line with regulatory requirements.
• Complaints Handling: Establish and supervise an effective customer complaints handling framework, ensuring timely investigation and resolution of client complaints and compliance with SCA’s customer protection guidelines.
• Regulatory Liaison: Act as the primary liaison with the SCA and other relevant regulators, managing all regulatory communications, inspections, and inquiries. Ensure that any regulatory requests or findings are addressed promptly and thoroughly.
• Reporting to Leadership: Provide regular compliance reports and updates to the Board of Directors and the Head of Compliance (MENA), including reporting on compliance program effectiveness, key risk indicators, and any significant compliance issues or breaches.
• Training & Advisory: Promote a strong culture of compliance by delivering training and guidance to employees on regulatory obligations and ethical standards. Advise internal stakeholders on compliance requirements for business initiatives and transactions.
• Audits & Monitoring: Coordinate and support compliance audits (internal and external) and regulatory examinations. Continuously monitor and test the effectiveness of compliance controls, and implement improvements as needed based on audit findings or changes in the risk environment.
• Regulatory Change Management: Monitor the evolving regulatory landscape in the UAE (e.g., new SCA rules, financial crime laws, data protection regulations) and proactively update company policies, procedures, and controls to ensure ongoing compliance.

Anti-Money Laundering / MLRO Duties:

• AML/CFT Program Leadership: Serve as the designated Money Laundering Reporting Officer, accountable for the development and execution of the company’s Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) program in compliance with UAE regulations and SCA requirements and guidelines.
• Policy & Procedure Implementation: Develop and maintain robust AML/CTF policies, procedures, and internal controls, ensuring alignment with the UAE legal framework and adherence to international standards (e.g., FATF recommendations).
• Risk Assessment: Conduct ongoing enterprise-wide ML/TF risk assessments to identify money laundering and terrorism financing risks associated with customers, products, and jurisdictions. Implement appropriate controls and due diligence measures based on risk findings.
• Customer Due Diligence: Oversee effective Know Your Customer (KYC) and Customer Due Diligence processes for onboarding and monitoring clients (individual and institutional), ensuring proper identification, verification, and risk profiling. Approve enhanced due diligence measures for high-risk customers and politically exposed persons (PEPs).
• Transaction Monitoring: Implement and supervise transaction monitoring systems (including blockchain analytics) to detect and investigate unusual or suspicious activities. Ensure that any red flags or alerts are promptly reviewed and escalated with appropriate actions taken.
• Suspicious Activity Reporting: Manage the identification and reporting of suspicious transactions. Prepare and submit Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) / Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) to the UAE Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) in a timely manner, as required by law.
• Sanctions Compliance: Ensure compliance with international and UAE sanctions regimes by overseeing robust sanctions screening (against UN, OFAC, and UAE local sanctions lists) and preventing dealings with sanctioned individuals or entities. Update screening processes as sanction lists evolve.
• Regulatory Reporting & Liaison: Prepare periodic AML/CFT reports for senior management and the Board (e.g., an annual MLRO report on the effectiveness of the AML program). Liaise with regulators and authorities on AML/CFT matters, including responding promptly to any requests from the SCA, Central Bank, or FIU regarding financial crime inquiries or examinations.
• Training & Awareness: Develop and deliver ongoing AML/CFT and sanctions training programs for all employees, ensuring staff are aware of their obligations to detect and report suspicious activities. Foster awareness of emerging money laundering trends and typologies relevant to the crypto industry.
• Record Keeping: Oversee proper record-keeping of customer due diligence files, transaction records, and all AML-related documentation (e.g., training logs, due diligence records, SAR filings) in accordance with regulatory retention requirements.
• Continuous Improvement: Stay current with developments in AML/CFT laws and emerging financial crime risks (within the UAE and globally). Update the AML policies and controls accordingly, and recommend enhancements to tools and processes (such as transaction monitoring and screening systems) to strengthen the company’s defenses against financial crime.
• Independent Review: Coordinate independent testing or audits of the AML/CTF program (as required by regulators or best practice) and ensure timely remediation of any findings or recommendations.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Law, Finance, Business Administration or a related field (required).
• Experience: Extensive experience in compliance, risk management, or financial crime prevention within the financial services/crypto sector (minimum of 5 years), including several years in a senior compliance or AML leadership role.
• Regulatory Knowledge: In-depth knowledge of the UAE regulatory environment, including SCA rules/regulations for crypto asset businesses and the relevant AML/CFT laws and guidelines.
• Industry Expertise: Strong understanding of cryptocurrency exchange and custody operations (or comparable fintech/financial services experience), with the ability to address the unique compliance challenges of digital assets.
• Leadership & Communication: Excellent leadership and team management skills, with the ability to effectively communicate with Board members, regulators, and staff at all levels. Proven track record of liaising with regulatory authorities and successfully managing regulatory inspections or audits.
• Analytical & Ethical Skills: High level of integrity, analytical thinking, and attention to detail in interpreting regulations and monitoring compliance. Capable of making risk-based decisions and providing sound compliance advice to executive management.
• Business level proficiency in English or above (equivalent to B2 or above inCEFR).

Preferred qualifications:

• Certifications: Professional certifications such as ACAMS (Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist), ACFCS (Certified Financial Crime Specialist), or an ICA Diploma in Compliance/AML (or equivalent) are highly preferred.
• Advanced Education: Master’s degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., MBA, JD/LLM, or MSc in Finance) is an advantage.
• Regional Experience: Previous experience in compliance/AML roles within the UAE or broader Middle East region - with direct interaction with the SCA or other UAE regulators - is a strong plus.
• Language Skills: Additional fluency in Arabic is advantageous.
• Technical Proficiency: Familiarity with compliance and AML software tools (e.g., transaction monitoring systems, KYC/KYB platforms, sanctions screening solutions, blockchain analytic tools) and comfort with analyzing data for compliance monitoring.
• Adaptability: Demonstrated ability to adapt to fast-changing regulatory requirements and industry developments, especially in the crypto assets sector. A proactive approach to staying up-to-date with global compliance trends and regulatory expectations.

What you will get in return:

• Competitive Salary:We believe great work deserves great pay! Your skills and talents will be rewarded with a salary that makes you feel valued and motivated.
• Work-Life Harmony:Join a company that genuinely cares about you—because your life outside of work matters just as much as your time on the clock.
• Annual Performance Bonus:Your hard work doesn’t go unnoticed! Celebrate your achievements with a well-deserved annual bonus tied to your performance.
• Generous Time Off:Need a breather? Our annual leave policy lets you recharge and enjoy life outside of work without a worry.
• Employee Referral Program:Love working here? Share the love! Bring your talented friends on board and get rewarded for growing our awesome team.
• Comprehensive Health & Pension Benefits:From medical insurance to pension plans, we’ve got your back. Plus, location-specific benefits andperks!
• Workation Wonderland:Live your digital nomad dreams with 30 extra days to work remotely from anywhere in the world (some restrictions apply). Adventure awaits!
• Volunteer Days:Make a difference! Take two additional paid days each year to support causes you care about and give back to the community.

Be a key player at the forefront of the digital assets movement, propelling your career to new heights!Join a dynamic and rapidly expanding company that values and rewards talent, initiative, and creativity.Work alongside one of the most brilliant teams in the industry.