Senior Compliance Analyst

USDU / Universal; Abu Dhabi; Hybrid; AED 300,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

Universal Digital, based in Abu Dhabi, seeks a Senior Compliance Analyst to strengthen its AML/CFt framework across KYC, monitoring, and sanctions. You will work with the Head of Compliance and MLRO to ensure robust controls, regulatory reporting, and ongoing policy updates.

The role involves advisory duties, systems design input, and regulatory engagement with UAE authorities. Hybrid in Abu Dhabi/Dubai offices.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of compliance/AML experience, ideally in ADGM or equivalent jurisdictions.
• Hands-on knowledge of UAE AML/CFT regulations and ADGM FSRA rules.
• Experience with KYC/CDD, transaction monitoring, sanctions screening and SAR investigations.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day compliance, AML and risk guidance to the business and respond to inquiries from other departments.
• Review products, services, marketing materials, and communications for regulatory compliance (FSRA/CB UAE rules).
• Draft and update compliance, AML/CFT, sanctions, governance and risk policies and procedures; track regulatory updates.

Skills

AML experience

KYC/CDD

Transaction monitoring

Sanctions screening

SAR investigations

Regulatory knowledge

Blockchain analytics

CAMS certification

Job description

Senior Compliance Analyst (Universal Digital)

About us

At Universal, we’re building the bridge between traditional finance and digital assets, with regulation and transparency at the foundation. Based in the UAE, we’re the issuer behind USDU, a US dollar stablecoin that institutions can trust. We’re regulated by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), and USDU is registered with the Central Bank of the UAE as a Foreign Payment Token.

What does that mean in practice? Every USDU token is backed 1:1 by real U.S. dollars held with regulated UAE banks, and our reserves are independently verified every month. We work alongside banks, exchanges, custodians and infrastructure partners to make faster, more transparent digital settlement possible. For us, trust isn’t a tagline. It’s built into everything we do.

We’re a growing team with an ambitious goal: powering a borderless economy. If you want to do meaningful work at the heart of the UAE’s digital finance story, and shape how it’s done responsibly, we’d love to meet you.

Your Contribution to Our Growth

We are seeking an experienced and highly capable Senior Compliance Analyst to join the Compliance and AML function at Universal Digital in Abu Dhabi. As a regulated issuer, our credibility depends on the strength of our compliance framework. In this role, you will help ensure that Universal grows responsibly, with robust controls and a clear understanding of the regulatory landscape. You will bring deep knowledge of UAE AML/CFT requirements and hands‑on experience across KYC/CDD, transaction monitoring, sanctions screening and SAR investigations.

Reporting to the Head of Compliance and MLRO, you will serve as a trusted advisor to the business, providing day‑to‑day compliance, AML and risk guidance and working directly with colleagues across departments. Your work will span compliance advisory, KYC/CDD, transaction monitoring, sanctions implementation, policy and procedure updates, and regulatory reporting across the firm’s business.

You will also help shape the systems and controls that protect our stablecoin ecosystem, from transaction monitoring rules and screening configurations to blockchain analytics tools. You will support our engagement with regulators, including the FSRA and the Central Bank of the UAE, and help us prepare for audits, inspections and thematic reviews.

The ideal candidate combines technical compliance expertise with a practical, business‑minded approach. They are curious about digital assets and stablecoins, keep pace with regulatory change, and take pride in being a reliable partner to both leadership and the wider team. If you want to apply your compliance experience at the intersection of traditional regulation and digital finance, this role is for you.

This is a Full‑Time, Permanent position working Hybrid out of our Abu Dhabi or Dubai office.

What You’ll Do

• Provide day‑to‑day compliance, AML and risk guidance to the business, and handle enquiries from other departments directly.
• Review products, services, marketing materials, sales communications and website content for regulatory compliance, including FSRA and CBUAE rules and regulations.
• Draft, review and update compliance, AML/CFT, sanctions, governance and risk‑related policies and procedures, and keep track of regulatory updates.
• Assist the Head of Compliance and MLRO in designing, implementing and testing systems and controls, including transaction monitoring rules, screening configurations and blockchain analytics tools.
• Conduct and review KYC/CDD/EDD, sanctions, PEP and adverse media screening.
• Carry out risk‑based monitoring, including transaction monitoring, on‑chain analytics, Travel Rule and market surveillance.
• Assist the MLRO in assessing and investigating internal SARs/STRs and prepare goAML filings for MLRO review.
• Support the Head of Compliance and MLRO in regulatory engagements, including responding to regulatory enquiries, information requests, thematic reviews and inspections from the FSRA, CBUAE, EOCN and the UAEFIU.
• Maintain compliance records and support audits and remediation.
• Assist the Head of Compliance and MLRO in preparing management information and reports.

We’d Love to See

• A minimum of 5 years of related compliance/AML experience, ideally in the ADGM or equivalent jurisdictions.
• Strong knowledge of UAE AML/CFT legislation, ADGM FSRA rules and CBUAE regulations.
• Hands‑on experience with KYC/CDD, transaction monitoring, sanctions screening and SAR investigations.
• Familiarity with blockchain analytics tools and Travel Rule implementations.
• CAMS or an equivalent certification is preferred.

At our offices you will find a group of people that embrace diversity and value performance over pedigree. Every day we draw value from the diverse experiences of our team whose backgrounds include top financial institutions, tech companies, and non‑traditional backgrounds. Our success comes from identifying exceptional people and providing them with the platform to reach their true potential.