Head of Compliance & MLRO for Digital Trading Platform

About the role

Longbridge, a next‑generation online brokerage, is expanding its operations in the DIFC and seeks a senior compliance leader to anchor its Dubai activities. As Head of Compliance and Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO), you will hold a Recognised Function under the DFSA regime and ensure the firm’s innovative trading services meet all regulatory requirements.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the DFSA licence application and act as primary liaison with the regulator and external consultants.
• Design, maintain and continuously improve the compliance manual, internal controls and governance frameworks for securities dealing, brokerage and margin trading.
• Serve as the designated MLRO, overseeing KYC/CDD, transaction monitoring, suspicious activity reporting and AML/CFT compliance.
• Manage mandatory regulatory reporting, including PIR, annual reports and capital adequacy notifications.
• Monitor market conduct, trading and settlement operations to ensure adherence to DFSA Market Rules.
• Provide regulatory guidance on fintech innovations, AI tools, data protection and cybersecurity compliance.
• Translate DFSA Rulebooks (GEN, AML, COB, MIR) into actionable policies and lead staff training programmes.

Required profile

• 10+ years of experience in financial compliance, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role within brokerage or capital markets.
• Proven track record of DFSA authorisation as a Compliance Officer or MLRO (highly preferred).
• Experience with MAS, SFC or other Tier‑1 regulator frameworks is advantageous.

Required skills

• Regulatory Reporting
• Regulatory Licensing
• Market Conduct
• Fintech Innovation
• Compliance Framework
• Training Policy
• AML/CFT
• Governance Risk
• KYC/CDD
• Transaction Monitoring
• Suspicious Activity Reporting
• DFSA Rulebook Interpretation
• AI Tools Compliance
• Data Protection
• Cybersecurity Compliance