Head of Compliance & MLRO

Client of Hire Fellows; Manama; On-site; BHD 18,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Client of Hire Fellows seeks a Compliance Officer/MLRO to lead Bahrain regulatory compliance across the organization. You will own the AML/CTF framework, manage regulatory reporting, and liaise with the regulator on notifications and supervisory engagements.

You will oversee onboarding controls (KYC/KYB/eKYC), policy development, risk management, and incident reporting in a fast-moving fintech environment with English and Arabic communication requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Law, Finance, Business, or a related field.
• 4+ years of experience in compliance and/or financial crime roles, with meaningful experience in payments, e-money, fintech, or financial services.
• Strong knowledge of the Bahrain regulatory environment and relevant regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrated experience as, or readiness to be approved as, a Compliance Officer and/or MLRO.
• Strong understanding of AML/CTF frameworks, KYC/KYB, sanctions, and transaction monitoring.
• Experience developing and implementing compliance policies, frameworks, and controls.
• Strong understanding of risk management, regulatory reporting, and compliance monitoring.
• Professional certification such as ICA, CAMS/ACAMS, or equivalent is preferred.
• Comfortable operating hands-on in an early-stage, fast-moving environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English and Arabic.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Compliance Officer and MLRO subject to the relevant regulatory approval requirements.
• Oversee the organization s compliance with applicable Bahrain regulatory requirements and maintain ongoing regulatory obligations.
• Act as the primary liaison with the relevant regulator across regulatory notifications returns and supervisory engagement.
• Track and interpret regulatory changes translating new requirements into internal policies processes and controls.
• Own and maintain the AML & CTF framework including risk assessments transaction monitoring sanctions screening and suspicious transaction reporting.
• Discharge MLRO responsibilities including filing STRs SARs and liaising with the Financial Intelligence Unit and relevant authorities.
• Oversee customer onboarding KYC KYB and eKYC controls in line with applicable regulatory expectations.
• Develop maintain and govern the organization s compliance and policy framework including AML CTF onboarding outsourcing enterprise risk management business continuity and related policies.
• Establish the compliance monitoring programme and reporting cadence to management and the Board.
• Oversee regulatory reporting obligations and internal governance forums

Skills

AML/CTF knowledge

Regulatory communication

Stakeholder management

Arabic language

English language

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Law/Finance/Business

Job description

Main Responsibilities

• Serve as the Compliance Officer and MLRO subject to the relevant regulatory approval requirements
• Oversee the organization s compliance with applicable Bahrain regulatory requirements and maintain ongoing regulatory obligations
• Act as the primary liaison with the relevant regulator across regulatory notifications returns and supervisory engagement
• Track and interpret regulatory changes translating new requirements into internal policies processes and controls
• Own and maintain the AML amp CTF framework including risk assessments transaction monitoring sanctions screening and suspicious transaction reporting
• Discharge MLRO responsibilities including filing STRs SARs and liaising with the Financial Intelligence Unit and relevant authorities
• Oversee customer onboarding KYC KYB and eKYC controls in line with applicable regulatory expectations
• Develop maintain and govern the organization s compliance and policy framework including AML CTF onboarding outsourcing enterprise risk management business continuity and related policies
• Establish the compliance monitoring programme and reporting cadence to management and the Board
• Oversee regulatory reporting obligations and internal governance forums

Qualifications

• Bachelor s degree in Law, Finance, Business, or a related field
• 4+ years of experience in compliance and/or financial crime roles, with meaningful experience in payments, e-money, fintech, or financial services
• Strong knowledge of the Bahrain regulatory environment and relevant regulatory requirements
• Demonstrated experience as, or readiness to be approved as, a Compliance Officer and/or MLRO
• Strong understanding of AML/CTF frameworks, KYC/KYB, sanctions, and transaction monitoring
• Experience developing and implementing compliance policies, frameworks, and controls
• Strong understanding of risk management, regulatory reporting, and compliance monitoring
• Professional certification such as ICA, CAMS/ACAMS, or equivalent is preferred
• Comfortable operating hands-on in an early-stage, fast-moving environment
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English and Arabic
• High level of ownership, attention to detail, and integrity
• Able to work effectively with senior stakeholders, management, and cross-functional teams