Corporate Support Services | Senior Compliance Officer

Role Overview

Senior Compliance Officer

Client On-boarding and Acceptance

• Oversee and review client on-boarding and acceptance procedures.
• Review client due diligence documentation, including KYC forms, trade licences, ownership structures, UBO details, directors, authorised signatories, and related supporting documents.
• Review AML risk assessments prepared for new and existing clients and ensure that risk classifications are properly documented and supported.
• Review sanctions, PEP, and adverse media screening results and resolve or escalate potential matches as required.
• Identify high-risk clients and ensure enhanced due diligence procedures are performed where applicable.
• Review source of funds and source of wealth information where required.
• Respond to internal team queries on client acceptance, missing information, AML requirements, and complex on-boarding matters.
• Ensure on-boarding files are properly documented and maintained in line with the Firm's AML policies and regulatory expectations.
• Enhancing the current AML framework.

AML Compliance and MLRO Support

• Oversee the day-to-day compliance of the Firm with its AML policies, procedures, systems, and controls.
• Act as the point of contact for employees to receive internal suspicious activity or suspicious transaction notifications.
• Review internal suspicious activity reports and determine the appropriate action to be taken.
• Make Suspicious Activity Reports / Suspicious Transaction Reports, where required, in accordance with applicable UAE AML legislation.
• Maintain internal SAR/STR logs, MLRO decision records, supporting documentation, and evidence of actions taken.
• Monitor updates to sanctions lists and ensure appropriate screening is performed against existing client records where required.
• Ensure potential sanctions matches or reported matters are escalated and reported through the appropriate channels, including goAML where applicable.

Regulatory Liaison and Reporting

• Act as the Firm's point of contact with competent UAE authorities and relevant regulators on AML and compliance matters.
• Respond promptly to regulatory information requests, surveys, questionnaires, inspections, and audit queries.
• Receive, review, and act upon relevant regulatory findings, recommendations, guidance, directives, sanctions notices, or other regulatory communications.
• Prepare and file the Firm's annual regulatory returns and other required regulatory submissions.
• Maintain records of regulatory correspondence and submissions.

Policies, Procedures and Monitoring

• Review and update AML, CDD, sanctions, client acceptance, and related compliance policies and procedures.
• Ensure the Firm's policies remain aligned with applicable laws, regulations, and professional standards.
• Conduct periodic compliance monitoring and internal reviews.
• Identify compliance gaps, control weaknesses, and areas for improvement.
• Follow up with relevant teams to address findings and ensure corrective actions are implemented.
• Training and Awareness
• Establish and maintain an appropriate AML training programme for the Firm.
• Conduct annual AML training for employees.
• Monitor AML training completion and ensure adequate staff awareness of AML obligations, suspicious activity reporting, sanctions screening, and on-boarding requirements.
• Maintain training records and update training content as required.

Compliance Team Management

• Manage the day-to-day activities of the compliance team.
• Allocate tasks, monitor progress, and ensure timely completion of compliance and on-boarding matters.
• Provide guidance to team members on AML, KYC, client acceptance, and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Review work performed by the compliance team and ensure consistency, accuracy, and proper documentation.
• Escalate complex or high-risk matters to senior management where required.

Senior Management Reporting

• Provide periodic reports to senior management on AML and compliance matters.
• Report on the effectiveness of AML policies, procedures, systems, and controls.
• Summarize new client on-boarding activity, client risk classifications, high-risk matters, SAR/STR reporting, sanctions matters, regulatory updates, and key compliance issues.
• Escalate material AML or compliance concerns to senior management in a timely manner.

Must Have Requirements

• Hold a graduate degree in a relevant field.
• Have at least 7–10 years of experience in AML, compliance, client on-boarding, or regulatory compliance.
• Be fit and proper, with the competence, capability, and integrity required to perform the Compliance Officer / MLRO-related responsibilities.
• Have strong knowledge and understanding of relevant UAE AML legislation, regulations, and regulatory expectations.
• Hold an ACAMS certification or equivalent AML/compliance qualification.
• Have experience with CDD, KYC, UBO identification, sanctions screening, PEP/adverse media reviews, AML risk assessments, and enhanced due diligence.
• Have experience liaising with regulators and responding to regulatory surveys, inspections, questionnaires, or information requests.
• Have strong documentation, record-keeping, communication, and internal coordination skills.

Nice To Have Requirements

• Proficiency in both Arabic, verbal and written.
• Experience in a multicultural business environment.

Key Performance indicator KPI's

• 95%+ of client on-boarding / AML reviews completed within the agreed SLA.
• 95% of approved on-boarding files to include complete KYC, UBO, screening, AML risk assessment, and approval documentation.
• 95% of sanctions, PEP, adverse media, and high-risk client alerts resolved or escalated before client acceptance.
• 100% of regulatory submissions, surveys, inspections, and information requests submitted by the required deadline.
• 90% of compliance monitoring findings closed within the agreed corrective action timeline.

Perks And Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Comprehensive health insurance.
• Annual leave and public holidays as per UAE regulations.
• Opportunities for professional development and continuous learning.
• Supportive and diverse work environment.