Head of Compliance / MLRO

About This Role

Head of Compliance & MLRO

ARK Capital Management (Dubai) Limited is seeking to appoint a senior, experienced Head of Compliance & MLRO to lead and oversee the firm’s overall compliance framework, including AML/CFT.

Location: Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)

This is a senior leadership role with direct exposure to executive management, the board, and regulators. It is suited to someone who combines strong technical knowledge of the regulatory environment with a practical understanding of how financial services businesses operate.

The role focuses on ensuring the firm’s compliance framework operates effectively across all areas, while continuing to enhance and evolve it in line with regulatory expectations and business growth.

Key Responsibilities

• You will oversee the firm’s overall compliance framework, ensuring ongoing adherence to DFSA requirements and consistent application across the business.
• You will act as the firm’s appointed Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO), overseeing AML/CFT processes alongside broader compliance responsibilities.
• You will oversee regulatory reporting, DFSA engagement, and audit processes, acting as the primary point of contact for regulatory interaction.
• You will review and enhance existing policies, procedures, and monitoring programmes across both compliance and AML/CFT to ensure they remain effective and aligned with regulatory expectations.
• You will oversee a risk-based approach to client onboarding, KYC/CDD/EDD, and ongoing monitoring, while also ensuring broader compliance controls are operating effectively.
• You will work closely with senior management across risk, operations, and technology to support the continued development of the firm’s compliance infrastructure.
• You will provide clear, practical advice to senior management and the board on regulatory matters, compliance risks, and governance.
• You will support the development of a strong compliance culture across the organisation through training and ongoing engagement.
• You will contribute to governance processes, including compliance reporting, committee participation, and oversight of key regulatory matters.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will have 8–10 years of experience in financial services compliance, with strong experience in DFSA-regulated environments or equivalent jurisdictions.

You will hold relevant professional qualifications such as ICA, ACAMS, or equivalent, and have a solid understanding of both broader compliance frameworks and AML/CFT requirements.

You will be comfortable operating at both a strategic and practical level, with the ability to oversee frameworks while engaging in detailed matters when required.

You will demonstrate sound judgement, strong analytical skills, and the ability to manage regulatory matters in a balanced and commercially aware manner.

You will bring a collaborative approach, working effectively with different parts of the business while maintaining appropriate independence.

This is an opportunity to take on a senior, influential role within a DFSA-regulated financial institution.

You will work closely with senior leadership and have the ability to contribute meaningfully to the firm’s ongoing development and standards.

The role offers both responsibility and scope for impact within an established platform.

If you are interested, please send your CV and a brief introduction to careers@ark-cap.com.