Anti-Money Laundering Officer

Job Description – Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO)Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesReporting to: Chief Compliance Officer (CCO)Regulator: Capital Market Authority (CMA)Position SummaryThe Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) is responsible for the design, implementation, oversight, and continuous enhancement of the firm's Anti-Money Laundering, Counter Terrorist Financing, Counter Proliferation Financing (AML/CFT/CPF), sanctions, and financial crime compliance framework.Reporting directly to the Chief Compliance Officer, the MLRO serves as the firm's appointed Money Laundering Reporting Officer and is responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable UAE regulatory requirements governing virtual asset service providers, including AML/CFT legislation, FATF standards, and applicable CMA regulatory requirements. The MLRO acts as the primary point of contact for the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and regulatory authorities on all financial crime matters and provides independent oversight of the firm's financial crime controls.The role will work closely with Compliance, Operations, Risk, Legal, Product, and Technology teams to ensure the firm's financial crime framework remains effective as the business expands within the UAE and internationally.Key ResponsibilitiesAML/CFT GovernanceServe as the firm's appointed Money Laundering Reporting Officer in accordance with applicable UAE regulatory requirementsDevelop, implement, maintain, and continuously enhance the firm's AML/CFT/CPF and sanctions compliance frameworkEnsure compliance with UAE AML legislation, FATF Recommendations, and applicable regulatory guidance governing virtual assets and digital asset businessesProvide regular reporting to the Chief Compliance Officer, senior management, and relevant governance committees on financial crime risks, regulatory developments, and control effectivenessMaintain the firm's Enterprise AML Risk Assessment and ensure appropriate mitigation strategies are implementedFinancial Crime OversightOversee the firm's Customer Due Diligence (CDD), Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD), sanctions screening, ongoing monitoring, and customer risk rating frameworksEnsure effective transaction monitoring across both fiat and blockchain transactions, including oversight of automated monitoring systemsLead investigations into unusual, suspicious, or high-risk customer activityReview and determine whether suspicious activities require regulatory reportingPrepare and submit Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) and Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) to the UAE Financial Intelligence Unit (goAML) where requiredEnsure appropriate record keeping and documentation supporting all investigations and regulatory reportingRegulatory ComplianceAct as the primary liaison with UAE regulators and competent authorities regarding AML/CFT matters.Manage regulatory inspections, thematic reviews, audits, and information requests relating to financial crime complianceMonitor regulatory developments affecting virtual asset businesses and recommend appropriate changes to policies, procedures, and controlsEnsure timely implementation of regulatory changes across the Policies, Controls & Risk ManagementDevelop, review, and maintain AML/CFT, sanctions, and financial crime policies, procedures, and operational standardsConduct periodic reviews of the effectiveness of AML controls and recommend enhOversee periodic AML risk assessments covering products, customers, jurisdictions, delivery channels, and emerging technologiesSupport new product approvals and business initiatives by assessing financial crime risks and recommending appropriate controlsTechnology & MonitoringOversee transaction monitoring systems, sanctions screening platforms, and blockchain analytics solutionsLead the optimisation, calibration, and tuning of monitoring scenarios to improve effectiveness while reducing false positivesEvaluate and implement new technologies supporting AML/CFT compliance and blockchain monitoringWork closely with Technology and Product teams to embed financial crime controls into business processesTraining & AdvisoryDevelop and deliver AML/CFT and financial crime training programmes across the organisationProvide expert guidance to business stakeholders on AML/CFT obligations and regulatory expectationsFoster a strong culture of compliance and financial crime awareness throughout the firmStakeholder ManagementPartner with Compliance, Risk, Legal, Operations, Finance, Product, and Technology teams to ensure effective implementation of financial crime controlsSupport internal and external audits relating to AML/CFT complianceBuild effective working relationships with regulators, banking partners, and industry participants where appropriateQualifications & ExperienceBachelor's degree in Law, Finance, Business Administration, Accounting, or a related disiplineProfessional AML qualification (ACAMS, ICA, or equivalent) preferredMinimum 7 years of experience in AML/CFT, financial crime compliance, or regulatory compliance within financial services, with significant experience in virtual assets, fintech, digital assets, or capital marketsPrevious experience serving as an MLRO or Deputy MLRO with sufficient seniority to undertake an approved MLRO fuctionStrong knowledge of UAE AML legislation, FATF Recommendations, sanctions requirements, and financial crime regulations applicable to virtual asset businessesExperience engaging with UAE regulators such as the CMA, CBUAE, SCA, ADGM FSRA, VARA, or other regional regulatorsDemonstrated experience managing regulatory inspections and regulatory reporting obligationsExperience with blockchain analytics and financial crime technology platforms such as Chainalysis, Elliptic, TRM Labs, or equivalentStrong understanding of fiat and blockchain transaction monitoring, sanctions screening, customer risk assessments, and financial crime investigationsSkills & CompetenciesExcellent analytical and investigative capabilities with strong attention to detailStrong understanding of financial crime risks associated with digital assets, stablecoins, DeFi, wallets, custody, and blockchain ecosystemsExcellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively with regulators, executive management, and Coard committees.High ethical standards with the ability to exercise sound judgement and maintain strict confidentialityStrong leadership and stakeholder management skillsAbility to operate independently while partnering effectively across business functionsStrong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, regulated environmentProactive, solutions-oriented mindset with a commitment to continuous improvementPreferred ExperienceExperience establishing or enhancing AML frameworks for a regulated crypto or virtual asset businessExperience supporting licensing applications and regulatory remediation programmesFamiliarity with cross-border AML requirements across the GCC and broader MEASA regionExperience with blockchain investigations involving complex transaction tracing and typology analysis.Exposure to institutional digital asset markets, OTC trading, brokerage, custody, or exchange operations.