Compliance Officer & Money Laundering Reporting Officer (CO/MLRO)

About the role

The Compliance Officer & Money Laundering Reporting Officer (CO/MLRO) will act as the senior control function holder for a regulated entity operating under the FSRA, DFSA and VARA in the UAE. Reporting to the Senior Executive Officer, the CO/MLRO is responsible for ensuring full regulatory compliance, AML/CFT oversight and governance across digital‑asset and crypto‑exchange activities.

Key responsibilities

• Lead end‑to‑end licensing, authorisation and variation applications with FSRA, DFSA and VARA for virtual‑asset and crypto‑exchange services.
• Serve as the primary liaison with regulators, preparing business plans, compliance frameworks and Approved Person submissions.
• Design, implement and maintain compliance and AML/CFT frameworks tailored to token listings, spot trading, wallets, custody, staking and stablecoins.
• Monitor regulatory developments, coordinate responses to queries, inspections and thematic reviews.
• Develop and execute a risk‑based compliance monitoring programme and annual compliance plan.
• Provide regular compliance reporting to the governing body, board committees and senior management.

Required profile

• Approved Person status as Compliance Officer & MLRO under FSRA/DFSA regulations.
• Proven experience in regulatory licensing, AML/CFT oversight and financial‑crime risk management within the UAE financial sector.
• Strong understanding of digital‑asset, virtual‑asset and crypto‑exchange operations.
• Excellent communication skills for interaction with regulators and senior stakeholders.

Required skills

• Transaction monitoring tools
• STR SAR reporting
• Blockchain analytics