Regulatory Licensing & Compliance Manager – VARA / DIFC / ADGM

NH Management LLC; Dubai; On-site; AED 360,000 - 480,000; Full time

Job summary

NH Management LLC in Dubai seeks a senior Compliance & Regulatory Licensing Officer / MLRO to lead end-to-end regulatory licensing and act as MLRO. This on-site role requires hands-on work with UAE regulators and shaping robust compliance programs across financial services and virtual asset space.

You will conduct regulatory research, draft policies, oversee licensing processes with VARA, ADGM, DFSA, SCA and the UAE Central Bank, and provide client training.

Qualifications

• 2–5 years UAE compliance experience with regulator interaction.
• Proven track record in managing full-cycle regulatory licence applications.
• Strong AML/CFT knowledge and CDD/EDD experience, including high-risk onboarding.
• Excellent drafting skills – compliance manuals, business plans, governance documents.
• VARA licensing experience strongly preferred.
• ADGM CSP / FSRA and DFSA licensing experience is a plus.
• Background in consulting or advisory firms is a plus.
• Degree in law, compliance, finance, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Lead regulatory licence applications end-to-end withVARA/ADGM/DFSA/ SCA/ UAE Central Bank.
• Prepare Regulatory Business Plans, Compliance Manuals and AML/CFT frameworks.
• Act as MLRO and Compliance Officer for clients, including SAR/STR drafting.
• Liaise with regulators during licensing, supervision, and inspections.
• Draft risk assessments and governance frameworks; monitor rulebooks updates.
• Advise clients on regulatory obligations and remediation projects.
• Provide compliance training to clients and staff.

Skills

Regulatory compliance

Regulator interaction

AML/CFT knowledge

CDD/EDD experience

Policy drafting

Licensing applications

VARA licensing

DFSA licensing

ADGM licensing

Consulting background

Education

Law degree

Compliance/Finance background

Job description

NH Management is a specialist corporate services, governance, regulatory licensing, compliance, and virtual asset advisory firm. We are expanding our regulatory division and seeking a senior Compliance & Regulatory Licensing Officer / MLRO with hands-on experience managing licence applications and engaging directly with UAE regulators.

Role Description

We are looking for a Compliance & Regulatory Licensing Officer / MLRO to join our team in a full-time, on-site capacity in Dubai. In this role, you will be responsible for upholding regulatory standards, managing end-to-end licensing processes, and serving as the organisation's Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO).

This is a high-impact position that places you at the forefront of complex regulatory initiatives. You will act as MLRO for clients, design and implement robust compliance frameworks, and oversee a broad portfolio that spans both conventional financial services and the virtual assets space.

Your core responsibilities will include conducting in-depth regulatory research, formulating compliance policies and procedures, leading licensing applications, fostering professional relationships with regulatory authorities, and handling client and stakeholder inquiries on matters of compliance and licensing.

What you'll do

• Lead regulatory licence applications end-to-end with VARA, ADGM, DFSA, SCA, and the UAE Central Bank
• Prepare and manage Regulatory Business Plans, Compliance Manuals, AML/CFT frameworks, and Governance Policies
• Act as MLRO and Compliance Officer for clients, including SAR/STR drafting and high-risk file reviews
• Liaise directly with regulators during licensing, supervision, and inspection processes
• Draft and maintain risk assessments, compliance monitoring programmes, and governance frameworks
• Advise clients on regulatory obligations and support remediation and enhancement projects
• Monitor rulebook updates (VARA, DFSA GEN/AML/Conduct, FSRA) and ensure continued compliance
• Provide compliance training to clients and internal staff

What we're looking for

• Minimum 2-5 years of UAE compliance experience with direct regulator interaction
• Proven track record in managing full-cycle regulatory licence applications
• Strong AML/CFT knowledge and CDD/EDD experience, including high-risk onboarding
• Excellent drafting skills - compliance manuals, business plans, governance documents
• VARA licensing experience is highly preferred
• ADGM CSP / FSRA and DFSA licensing experience is a strong advantage
• Background in consulting or advisory firms is a plus
• Degree in law, compliance, finance, or a related field