Deputy MLRO

CO_AFSBHN Apex Fund Services (Bahrain) WLL; Manama; On-site; BHD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Apex Group in Bahrain is seeking a DMLRO to ensure AML/CFT compliance under the CBB Rulebook. You will act as the primary contact with AFCD and FID, oversee reporting, CDD/EDD, and sanctions screening for the organisation.

Reporting to the Head of Compliance & MLRO, Bahrain, you will lead compliance activities, manage regulatory interactions, and deliver training to staff while maintaining independence and robust controls.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field.
• Professional certification (CAMS/ICA) preferred.
• AML/CFT experience in financial services.

Responsibilities

• Act as the Company’s DMLRO as required under the CBB Rulebook.
• Assist MLRO in discharge of duties.
• Act as MLRO in absence with full delegated authority.
• Ensure timely submission of Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs).
• Maintain appropriate records of internal reports and decisions.
• Report directly to the Board/Senior Management on AML matters when needed.
• Ensure independence and unrestricted access to information.
• Ensure timely submission of regulatory returns and reporting.
• Deliver AML/CFT training and awareness.
• Sign-off on High Risk/PEPs.

Skills

Regulatory judgement

Attention to detail

Independence

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

English/Arabic language

Ability to work under pressure

Education

Bachelor’s degree in relevant field

CAMS/ICA certification

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.

Our 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.

Department

Compliance

Location

Manama, Bahrain

Controlled Function

DMLRO (as per CBB Rulebook)

Reporting Line

Head of Compliance & MLRO, Bahrain

Role Purpose

The DMLRO is the approved controlled function responsible for ensuring the Company’s compliance with all applicable AML/CFT and Sanctions requirements under the CBB Rulebook. The role includes acting as the primary contact with the Anti-Financial Crime Directorate (‘’AFCD’’) at the CBB and Financial Intelligence Directorate (‘’FID’’) at the Ministry of Interior and ensuring effective identification, monitoring, and reporting of financial crime risks.

Responsibilities

• Act as the Company’s DMLRO as required under the CBB Rulebook
• Assist MLRO in discharge of duties
• Act as MLRO in absence with full delegated authority
• Ensure timely submission of Suspicious Transaction Reports (‘’STRs’’)
• Maintain appropriate records of internal reports and decisions
• Report directly to the Board/Senior Management on AML matters when needed
• Ensure independence and unrestricted access to information
• Ensure timely submission of regulatory returns and reporting
• Assisting on the regulatory Compliance activities and obligations
• Implement and maintain AML/CFT policies, procedures, and controls aligned with CBB requirements and any other relevant authority
• Conduct Annual Compliance Testing
• Oversee customer due diligence (CDD/EDD) for clients, funds, investors, and related parties
• Oversee ongoing monitoring, periodic KYC review, and trigger events
• Oversee sanctions screening and PEP identification, including SOW/SOF requirements
• Approve reliance on third parties and ensure adequate oversight controls
• Monitor AML risks arising from outsourcing and delegated arrangements
• Liaise with regulators, auditors, and relevant stakeholders
• Ensure timely closure of audit and regulatory findings
• Deliver AML/CFT training and awareness
• Assisting the Data Protection Officer with related reporting and obligations
• Sign-off on High Risk/PEPs
• Preparing responses to routine, ad-hoc, and urgent information requests from the regulator or relevant stakeholders in a timely and accurate manner
• Keeping up-to-date with all relevant laws and regulations and communicating regulatory changes and developments to senior management and staff

Qualifications & Experience

Bachelor’s degree in relevant field

Professional certification (CAMS/ICA) preferred

AML/CFT experience in financial services

Competencies

• Strong regulatory judgment and independence
• Attention to detail
• Ability to work under pressure
• Stakeholder management
• Strong communication skills
• Ability to ensure compliance while supporting business needs
• Solutions driven critical thinking, with the ability to adapt to change
• Strong English/Arabic Language

What you will get in return

• A high level of visibility within a large organisation on an upwards trajectory
• Be part of a dynamic and fast-paced team that makes a genuine impact on the business
• Exposure to all aspects of the business

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.

About Apex Group

We are dedicated to driving positive change in financial services while fuelling the growth and ambitions of asset managers, allocators, financial institutions, and family offices. Established in Bermuda in 2003, the Group has continually disrupted the asset serving industry through our investment in innovation and talent. Today, we set the pace in asset servicing and stand out for our unique single-source solution and unified cross asset-class platform which supports the entire value chain, harnesses leading innovative technology, and benefits from cross-jurisdictional expertise delivered by a long-standing management team and over 13,000 highly integrated professionals. We’re a people-powered business, and our people are full of ambition. Together, we’re inspired to lead the new era of data and tech enabled service. Bringing new products and services to market. Sharpening our client focus. Disrupting the market to exceed expectations. Innovating across a range of specialisms. With our focus on making a difference to our people, our planet and our society, you’ll experience more here than you would at most other companies. Prepare to accelerate. We’re a people-powered business with a vision to inspire a new era of service-led FinTech. We’re expanding globally and offering more to our clients. This means you get more opportunities to grow with us. So prepare to accelerate. We’ll make sure the time and effort you put in takes you further, faster. Positive change starts with you. We’re a people-powered business with a vision to inspire a new era of service-led FinTech. We’re expanding globally and offering more to our clients. This means you get more opportunities to grow with us. So prepare to accelerate. We’ll make sure the time and effort you put in takes you further, faster. The journey is yours to own. When you stretch yourself, you grow. We want you to explore ways of working that will see you thrive as part of something bigger. We’ll help you with a solid structure, challenging projects, vibrant networks, supportive colleagues and approachable leaders. All the things you need to own your unique journey. Find out more about us