Head of Compliance / MLRO (SVF)

Capital.com; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 250,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

Capital.com is seeking a Head of Compliance & MLRO in the UAE to oversee compliance and financial crime obligations for a fintech entity. The role includes designing compliance frameworks, ensuring regulatory integration, and fostering a compliance culture. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in compliance, specifically within AML and CFT, and will lead compliance initiatives for this fast-growing company entering digital finance.

Benefits

Competitive Salary

Work-Life Harmony

Annual Performance Bonus

Generous Time Off

Employee Referral Program

Comprehensive Health & Pension Benefits

Workation Wonderland

Volunteer Days

Qualifications

• 8–12 years of relevant experience in compliance, ideally within Fintech.
• Business level proficiency in English (B2 or above).
• Professional certifications like CAMS, ICA Diploma in AML/Compliance preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design of the compliance framework for CBUAE SVF.
• Coordinate regulatory audits and oversee AML monitoring.
• Deliver compliance training to all employees.

Skills

Regulatory Compliance

AML / CFT

Risk Assessment

Policy Drafting

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Law, Finance, Business Administration, Risk Management, or Economics

Tools

RegTech systems

Job description

Capital.com is seeking a dynamic, experienced compliance professional to serve as Head of Compliance & MLRO for its new UAE-based regulated entity. As Capital.com expands its product suite into digital wallets, prepaid cards, and peer-to-peer payments under the CBUAE’s Stored Value Facilities (SVF) framework, this dual-role function is central to ensuring regulatory integrity, operational resilience, and sustainable growth.

The CCO / MLRO will act as the named individual responsible for all compliance and financial crime obligations under CBUAE regulation, overseeing the compliance framework across AML / CFT, consumer protection, safeguarding, conduct risk, and data privacy.

Regulatory Compliance & Licensing

• Lead the design and implementation of a compliance framework tailored to CBUAE SVF requirements, RPSCS overlaps, and relevant UAE laws.
• Serve as the primary regulatory liaison with the CBUAE, supporting license application, ongoing supervision, and inspections.
• Ensure compliance with consumer protection , e-money safeguarding, outsourcing, data privacy, and cybersecurity standards applicable to SVF entities.
• Review marketing and financial promotions to ensure AML compliance.
• Act as the lead contact for internal and external audits relating to AML / CTF and Compliance matters.
• Perform periodic gap analysis and evaluation of systems and controls.
• Coordinate responses to audit findings and track the implementation of remediation plans.
• Collaborate with tech teams to calibrate and improve AML monitoring tools, sanctions screening systems, and case management platforms.
• Stay abreast of technological solutions (e.g., blockchain analytics, transaction monitoring systems, eKYC platforms) and recommend enhancements.
• Investigate client complaints with potential regulatory, reputational, or AML implications.
• Maintain and regularly update all compliance registers.
• Maintain a comprehensive compliance calendar tracking all reporting obligations, license requirements, audit timelines, and key regulatory deadlines.
• Ensure all regulatory reports, returns, and notifications are prepared, reviewed, and submitted on time (e.g., STRs, AML returns).
• Lead the preparation and ongoing maintenance of the Business-Wide Risk Assessment (BWRA), identifying and assessing inherent and residual risks related to money laundering, terrorist financing, and other financial crimes across the business.
• Oversee the execution of periodic Risk and Control Self-Assessments (RCSA) across compliance and business units to evaluate the design and effectiveness of internal controls.
• Lead the design, implementation, maintenance, and ongoing enhancement of the organisation’s Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Financial Crime Compliance framework.
• Establish and maintain clear standards for customer identification and verification processes in line with AML requirements and onboarding procedures.
• Perform Transaction Monitoring and oversee the end-to-end Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR) lifecycle, including internal reviews and external regulatory submissions.
• Ensuring sanctions screening, PEP monitoring, and transaction surveillance are robust and fit for purpose.
• Provide guidance and training to internal teams to ensure awareness and adherence to AML obligations and company policies designed to detect financial crime.
• Act as the primary point of contact for law enforcement inquiries and ensure prompt, appropriate responses to information requests.
• Maintain relationships with domestic regulatory bodies and manage reporting obligations to the local Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU).
• Collaborate cross-functionally with internal compliance and risk teams to propose actionable steps that address emerging regulatory risks and ensure ongoing compliance.
• Support product development and business initiatives by advising on regulatory implications and ensuring new services meet AML and compliance requirements.
• Define and enforce standards for Customer Due Diligence (CDD), Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD), Know Your Customer (KYC), and Ongoing Monitoring.
• Oversee periodic reviews of client risk ratings

Promote a strong compliance culture across the organization by ensuring all employees understand their obligations.

Prepare and present periodic AML / CTF and financial crime reports to the Board of Directors and senior management, including updates on STRs, risk trends, and program effectiveness.

• Maintain records of compliance meetings, decisions, and actions taken.
• Advise product, sales, and operations teams on AML / CTF considerations when launching new products, services, or markets.
• Deliver annual AML reports to the board and coordinate independent audits where required.

Governance & Risk Oversight

• Serve as a member of the senior management team , actively contributing to product risk assessment, outsourcing governance, and new service launches (e.g., cross-border transfers, joint accounts).
• Chair or participate in Risk & Compliance Committees , maintaining independence from revenue-generating functions.
• Monitor regulatory change and update policies accordingly.

Operational Compliance Integration

• Assist internal teams -including Product, Technology, Operations, Customer Support, and Finance - in embedding compliance requirements into business processes, system designs, and customer journeys.
• Review and advise on new features, customer flows, and vendor integrations from a compliance and conduct-risk perspective.
• Ensure implementation of appropriate controls across onboarding, transaction processing, record-keeping, and customer communication .
• Support the design and ongoing calibration of automated monitoring, screening, and fraud detection tools .
• Provide compliance input during product development and change management cycles to ensure alignment with regulatory expectations.

Training & Culture

• Deliver mandatory AML / compliance training to all UAE employees and maintain training logs.
• Foster a culture of compliance and ethical conduct , aligned with Capital.com’s global standards.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (minimum); preferred fields include Law, Finance, Business Administration, Risk Management, or Economics .
• Professional certifications such as CAMS, ICA Diploma in AML / Compliance, CFE, or equivalent are strongly preferred .
• 8–12 years of relevant experience in compliance, AML / CFT, or regulatory affairs , ideally within : Fintech (neo-banking, e-wallets, stored value providers) orPayment institutions regulated under CBUAE, DFSA, ADGM , or equivalent international frameworks.
• Prior designation as CCO, MLRO, or Compliance Officer with a UAE-regulated financial institution (ideally named to the regulator).
• Demonstrable track record of leading compliance frameworks through initial licence applications and regulatory inspections and building or scaling compliance functions in start-up or high-growth environments .
• Engaging constructively with regulators , auditors, and board-level stakeholders.
• Business level proficiency in English or above (equivalent to B2 or above inCEFR).
• Deep understanding of UAE regulatory landscape, including : CBUAE SVF and RPSCS Regulations, UAE AML / CFT Rulebook , FATF Recommendations, and FIU reporting protocols, Consumer protection, data privacy, outsourcing governance, and conduct risk.
• Strong analytical, risk assessment, and policy drafting skills.
• Experience with RegTech systems for onboarding, screening, and transaction monitoring (e.g., ComplyAdvantage, NameScan, Actimize).
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to train teams , handle cross-border stakeholders, and influence executive decisions.
• Comfortable working in fast-paced, cross-functional teams with high accountability.

Other Requirements

• Must be physically based in the UAE and available to liaise with CBUAE when required.
• Able to serve as the named MLRO and CCO , subject to regulatory approval.
• High ethical standards and commitment to fostering a culture of compliance and transparency .

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.

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Head Of Compliance • United Arab Emirates