KYC Onboarding Associate - Funds

About the role

The KYC Onboarding Associate (Funds) is a first-line compliance role based in Dubai, reporting to Chris Drumm. It supports onboarding of clients introduced by the UAE entity to the Group's UK entity, with a focus on funds and UAE clients. The position requires diligence, analytical skills and previous KYC/KYB onboarding experience with funds.

Key responsibilities

• Collect and review KYC/KYB documents for UAE-incorporated clients, then hand them over to UK Onboarding for approval and account opening.
• Conduct end-to-end onboarding of DIFC clients, acting as liaison between the client, the DIFC Sales team and UK Onboarding until the account goes live.
• Carry out thorough and accurate client due diligence (CDD) and enhanced due diligence (EDD) checks in line with AML/KYC regulations, using the relevant screening tools.
• Identify and verify ultimate beneficial owners and controllers across fund structures, including general partners, management companies, investment managers and fund administrators.
• Ensure onboarding complies with regulatory and compliance standards, and escalate high-risk cases and red flags to the CO/MLRO.
• Act as first point of contact for KYC queries, obtain required documentation from clients and maintain accurate onboarding records.
• Support the CO/MLRO with audits, reporting and process improvement, and suggest improvements to efficiency.

Required profile

• Proven KYC/KYB onboarding experience in financial services or a similar regulated industry.
• Mandatory experience onboarding funds and fund-related structures (GPs, management companies, SPVs) at a DFSA or FSRA-regulated firm such as a fund administrator, bank, custodian or fund manager.
• Willingness to travel to the Dubai office as required.

Required skills

• Working knowledge of the DFSA AML Module and UAE AML/CFT framework; awareness of UK requirements (MLRs 2017, JMLSG guidance) is advantageous.
• A recognised AML/compliance qualification (e.g. ICA certificate) is advantageous, or willingness to work towards one.
• Strong attention to detail, analytical and process-oriented mindset, and excellent communication across UK and UAE teams.

What we offer

• Enrolment into DEWS private healthcare.
• 25 days' annual leave plus an extra day off for your birthday.
• Work from Abroad scheme of up to 2 weeks per year.
• Annual Leave Loyalty Scheme: 1 extra day of holiday after 3 full years of service.
• Training sponsorship and annual flight expense scheme.
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay after a year's service.