We're building the compliance and AML function from the ground up for a growing payments company in the UAE. This is a hands-on, build-and-own role for someone who has taken a regulated financial services entity through a licensing process before and wants to own the function end-to-end — not just support it.
You'll take over the compliance/AML workstreams currently bridged by external counsel and the CRO, and drive them through to filing and In-Principle Approval (IPA), then build out the institutional framework that will run the business day to day.
What you'll own:
Licensing Project Full ownership of the compliance/AML workstreams within the regulatory licensing dossier Partner directly with the CRO and external counsel through to filing and IPAReview and draft policies, regulatory correspondence and Fit & Proper (F&P) documentation Formal handover take-over with signed-off handover memo
AML/CFT & Sanctions Programme Stand up the full AML/CFT and sanctions framework Design policy, KYC/CDD/EDD processes, screening and transaction monitoring Build SAR/STR processes and FIU/go AML readiness
Compliance Management Framework Build the function from zero: Compliance Charter, compliance risk assessment, obligations register, regulatory calendar, breach management process
Compliance Policy & Procedure Stack Draft the full institutional policy suite: Compliance Manual, Consumer Protection, Conflicts of Interest, Whistleblowing, Code of Conduct, Outsourcing, Gifts & Hospitality
Business Support & Product Compliance Day-to-day advisory on new products and merchant onboarding sign-off Marketing review, partner and BIN due diligence Embed compliance-by-design into product and commercial workflows
Compliance Monitoring & Testing Design and run a risk-based monitoring and testing plan Control testing and Board reporting pack with KRIsBuild the regulatory reporting framework
Regulatory & FIU Engagement Primary interface with regulators and FIUOwn notification protocols, query handling, IPA conditions tracking and inspection readiness
Training & Function Build-out Roll out company-wide AML/compliance training and first-line training Deliver Board-level AML/compliance awareness sessions Define and execute the compliance team build-out plan as the business scales
What we're looking for:Proven experience taking a UAE payments, fintech, or financial services entity through CBUAE licensing (RPSCS/SVF or similar categories) Strong working knowledge of UAE AML/CFT regulation, FIU/go AML reporting, and CBUAE supervisory expectations Comfortable operating as a function of one initially — equally at ease drafting a policy manual and presenting a KRI pack to the Board Prior experience partnering with a CRO and external counsel through a live licensing process is a strong plus Independent, low-ego operator who can take over an in-flight workstream cleanly and keep momentum through to IPA