Compliance Officer & MLRO

Change Recruitment; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 180,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

Change Recruitment seeks a Compliance Officer & MLRO for a regulated investment operation in Riyadh. The senior local role ensures CMA alignment, governance and regulatory compliance with the Saudi market.

You will work with senior management, applying regulatory knowledge to protect the business and drive governance. The position offers exposure to wider regional activity within the Middle East.

Qualifications

• Five years of Financial Services experience with compliance exposure.
• Strong knowledge of Saudi regulatory framework and CMA rules.
• Experience with regulatory examinations, inspections and supervision.
• CMA licences or authorisations required to operate in this role.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience.

Responsibilities

• Maintain an effective Compliance framework aligned with CMA requirements and risk considerations.
• Act as the registered MLRO and manage associated regulatory obligations.
• Provide practical Compliance guidance to senior management and teams.
• Interpret regulatory developments and assess impact on the business.
• Support management in identifying and managing Compliance and business risks.
• Deliver Compliance and Risk training across the organisation.
• Be the main contact for regulatory, Compliance and risk queries.
• Establish and monitor a Compliance Monitoring Programme.
• Collaborate with regulators and industry bodies on regional initiatives.

Skills

Financial Services experience

Regulatory knowledge

Strong communication

Arabic & English fluency

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

We are supporting an established international investment management business looking to appoint a Compliance Officer & MLRO for its regulated operation in Riyadh.

This is a senior local Compliance position with responsibility for ensuring the business continues to operate in line with its Capital Market Authority requirements, wider regulatory obligations plus internal governance standards.

The successful individual will work closely with senior management across the local business, acting as a trusted adviser on regulatory matters while taking ownership of the local compliance framework.

Alongside the core Saudi Arabia responsibilities, there will also be exposure to wider regional activity plus the opportunity to contribute to broader Compliance projects across the Middle East.

The position would suit someone with strong knowledge of the Saudi Arabian regulatory environment, ideally gained within Asset Management, Investment Management or a closely related Financial Services environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain an effective Compliance framework aligned with CMA requirements, regulatory expectations plus relevant market practice
• Act as the registered MLRO, taking responsibility for the associated regulatory obligations
• Provide practical Compliance advice to senior management plus colleagues across the business
• Interpret regulatory developments plus assess their impact on the organisation
• Support senior management in identifying, assessing plus managing Compliance and business risks
• Support the delivery of Compliance and Risk training across the business
• Act as a key point of contact for regulatory, Compliance plus risk related queries
• Proactively identify plus assess Compliance and corporate risks arising from business activities
• Assess Compliance implications relating to new products, new business activities, client relationships plus material changes to existing arrangements
• Establish plus maintain an appropriate Compliance Monitoring Programme
• Work with relevant monitoring colleagues to ensure testing activity reflects regulatory requirements plus the risk profile of the business
• Report monitoring findings plus significant Compliance matters to senior management
• Act as a principal point of contact with the Capital Market Authority
• Develop constructive relationships with relevant regulators, industry bodies plus other appropriate external stakeholders
• Contribute to wider regional Compliance initiatives where required

About You

You will ideally bring:

• A minimum of five years' Financial Services experience, including meaningful Compliance or regulatory experience
• Strong knowledge of the Saudi Arabian regulatory framework
• Experience dealing with regulatory examinations, inspections plus supervisory requirements
• The necessary CMA licences or authorisations required to undertake the position
• Good understanding of the Asset Management or Investment Management industry
• Experience within mutual funds, institutional investment management or related investment products
• Strong analytical skills plus sound regulatory judgement
• The confidence to provide practical technical guidance to senior stakeholders
• The ability to build credible relationships across different business areas
• The ability to manage competing priorities within a fast paced environment
• A Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience
• Fluency in Arabic plus English, both written and spoken

Why Consider This Role?

This is an opportunity to take on a visible Compliance leadership position within an international investment business operating in a developing Saudi Arabian market.

You will have genuine ownership of the local Compliance framework, direct exposure to senior management plus the opportunity to influence how regulatory requirements are embedded into the business.

The role also offers broader regional exposure, allowing you to contribute beyond the Saudi entity while remaining closely connected to the local market.