Head of Compliance & MLRO (m/f/d)
Skills
About This Role
Overview
We are retained by a UAE-licensed payments FinTech — SVF and RPSCS licensed — operating within a high-growth digital media and entertainment group.
The business processes significant cross-border transaction volumes and is scaling rapidly.
Compliance is a priority at board level, and this hire reflects that.
The MLRO function requires a substantial uplift.
The framework is in place; what is needed now is an experienced operator to own it end-to-end, mature it to regulatory standard, and hold the relationship with DFSA with confidence.
The Role
- Full MLRO accountability under DFSA regulation, with responsibility for:
- All regulatory submissions, FIU engagement, and goAML reporting
- Design and operationalisation of the AML/CFT framework in line with the UAE NRA and DFSA supervisory expectations
- Transaction monitoring, name screening, and sanctions screening — including rule design, threshold tuning, and quality assurance
- STR/SAR decision-making, complex case governance, and direct regulator engagement
- AML training, governance frameworks, and board and senior management reporting
- Senior cross-functional partnership across Product, Technology, Legal, and Operations
The Candidate
- UAE regulatory experience is a strict requirement.
- Candidates without direct, hands-on experience of DFSA, the FIU, and goAML will not be considered.
- Current or recent MLRO, or senior AML lead, within a UAE-licensed payments FinTech or financial institution
- Proven experience building or materially scaling an AML/CFT framework from an early stage — not managing an inherited, mature function
- Sound financial crime judgement: STR decisions, customer exits, product risk assessment, and regulatory examination management
- Strong working knowledge of payment-specific typologies — high-velocity flows, cross-border exposure, TCSP and free zone risk, UAE sectoral vulnerabilities
- Able to operate effectively in a lean, fast-moving environment without reliance on established infrastructure
- ACAMS certified or equivalent preferred
Halian Group
With over 28 years of experience, we have come to understand that innovation is the only way to provide agile, practical solutions that transform businesses and careers.
Our resourcing and smart services help you to realize tomorrow's potential.
Discover the amazing things possible when you bring the right people and the right technologies together.
At Halian, we recognize that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are essential to building high-performing teams for our clients.
We are committed to connecting organizations with top talent from all backgrounds, ensuring that every individual feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives.
We encourage applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of race, gender, disability, or any other characteristic that makes them unique.
By fostering diverse and inclusive workplaces, we help our clients drive innovation, enhance collaboration, and better reflect the communities they serve.
Head of Compliance & MLRO in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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