Head of Compliance / MLRO (SVF)

Capital.com is seeking a dynamic, experienced compliance professional to serve as Head of Compliance & MLRO for its new UAE-based regulated entity. As Capital.com expands its product suite into digital wallets, prepaid cards, and peer-to-peer payments under the CBUAE’s Stored Value Facilities (SVF) framework, this dual-role function is central to ensuring regulatory integrity, operational resilience, and sustainable growth.

The CCO/MLRO will act as the named individual responsible for all compliance and financial crime obligations under CBUAE regulation, overseeing the compliance framework across AML/CFT, consumer protection, safeguarding, conduct risk, and data privacy.

Regulatory Compliance & Licensing

• Lead the design and implementation of a compliance framework tailored to CBUAE SVF requirements, RPSCS overlaps, and relevant UAE laws.
• Serve as the primary regulatory liaison with the CBUAE, supporting license application, ongoing supervision, and inspections.
• Ensure compliance with consumer protection, e-money safeguarding, outsourcing, data privacy, and cybersecurity standards applicable to SVF entities.
• Review marketing and financial promotions to ensure AML compliance.
• Act as the lead contact for internal and external audits relating to AML/CTF and Compliance matters.
• Perform periodic gap analysis and evaluation of systems and controls.
• Coordinate responses to audit findings and track the implementation of remediation plans.
• Collaborate with tech teams to calibrate and improve AML monitoring tools, sanctions screening systems, and case management platforms.
• Stay abreast of technological solutions (e.g., blockchain analytics, transaction monitoring systems, eKYC platforms) and recommend enhancements.
• Investigate client complaints with potential regulatory, reputational, or AML implications.
• Maintain and regularly update all compliance registers.
• Maintain a comprehensive compliance calendar tracking all reporting obligations, license requirements, audit timelines, and key regulatory deadlines.
• Ensure all regulatory reports, returns, and notifications are prepared, reviewed, and submitted on time (e.g., STRs, AML returns).
• Lead the preparation and ongoing maintenance of the Business-Wide Risk Assessment (BWRA), identifying and assessing inherent and residual risks related to money laundering, terrorist financing, and other financial crimes across the business.
• Oversee the execution of periodic Risk and Control Self-Assessments (RCSA) across compliance and business units to evaluate the design and effectiveness of internal controls.

AML/CFT & Financial Crime:

• Lead the design, implementation, maintenance, and ongoing enhancement of the organisation’s Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Financial Crime Compliance framework.
• Establish and maintain clear standards for customer identification and verification processes in line with AML requirements and onboarding procedures.
  
• Perform Transaction Monitoring and oversee the end-to-end Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR) lifecycle, including internal reviews and external regulatory submissions.
  
• Ensuring sanctions screening, PEP monitoring, and transaction surveillance are robust and fit for purpose.
  
• Provide guidance and training to internal teams to ensure awareness and adherence to AML obligations and company policies designed to detect financial crime.
  
• Act as the primary point of contact for law enforcement inquiries and ensure prompt, appropriate responses to information requests.
  
• Maintain relationships with domestic regulatory bodies and manage reporting obligations to the local Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU).
  
• Collaborate cross-functionally with internal compliance and risk teams to propose actionable steps that address emerging regulatory risks and ensure ongoing compliance.
  
• Support product development and business initiatives by advising on regulatory implications and ensuring new services meet AML and compliance requirements.
  
• Define and enforce standards for Customer Due Diligence (CDD), Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD), Know Your Customer (KYC), and Ongoing Monitoring.
  
• Oversee periodic reviews of client risk ratings
  Promote a strong compliance culture across the organization by ensuring all employees understand their obligations.
  Prepare and present periodic AML/CTF and financial crime reports to the Board of Directors and senior management, including updates on STRs, risk trends, and program effectiveness.
  
• Maintain records of compliance meetings, decisions, and actions taken.
  
• Advise product, sales, and operations teams on AML/CTF considerations when launching new products, services, or markets.
• Deliver annual AML reports to the board and coordinate independent audits where required.

Governance & Risk Oversight

• Serve as a member of the senior management team, actively contributing to product risk assessment, outsourcing governance, and new service launches (e.g., cross-border transfers, joint accounts).
• Chair or participate in Risk & Compliance Committees, maintaining independence from revenue-generating functions.
• Monitor regulatory change and update policies accordingly.

Operational Compliance Integration

• Assist internal teams - including Product, Technology, Operations, Customer Support, and Finance - in embedding compliance requirements into business processes, system designs, and customer journeys.
• Review and advise on new features, customer flows, and vendor integrations from a compliance and conduct-risk perspective.
  
• Ensure implementation of appropriate controls across onboarding, transaction processing, record-keeping, and customer communication.
  
• Support the design and ongoing calibration of automated monitoring, screening, and fraud detection tools.
  
• Provide compliance input during product development and change management cycles to ensure alignment with regulatory expectations.

Training & Culture

• Deliver mandatory AML/compliance training to all UAE employees and maintain training logs.
• Foster a culture of compliance and ethical conduct, aligned with Capital.com’s global standards.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (minimum); preferred fields include Law, Finance, Business Administration, Risk Management, or Economics.
  
• Professional certifications such as CAMS, ICA Diploma in AML/Compliance, CFE, or equivalent are strongly preferred.
  
• Postgraduate qualifications (e.g., MBA, LLM) are a plus.
• 8–12 years of relevant experience in compliance, AML/CFT, or regulatory affairs, ideally within: Fintech (neo-banking, e-wallets, stored value providers) or Payment institutions regulated under CBUAE, DFSA, ADGM, or equivalent international frameworks.
• Prior designation as CCO, MLRO, or Compliance Officer with a UAE-regulated financial institution (ideally named to the regulator).
• Demonstrable track record of leading compliance frameworks through initial licence applications and regulatory inspections and building or scaling compliance functions in start-up or high-growth environments.
• Engaging constructively with regulators, auditors, and board-level stakeholders.
• Business level proficiency in English or above (equivalent to B2 or above in CEFR).

Skills & Competencies

• Deep understanding of UAE regulatory landscape, including: CBUAE SVF and RPSCS Regulations, UAE AML/CFT Rulebook, FATF Recommendations, and FIU reporting protocols, Consumer protection, data privacy, outsourcing governance, and conduct risk.
• Strong analytical, risk assessment, and policy drafting skills.
• Experience with RegTech systems for onboarding, screening, and transaction monitoring (e.g., ComplyAdvantage, NameScan, Actimize).
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to train teams, handle cross-border stakeholders, and influence executive decisions.
• Comfortable working in fast-paced, cross-functional teams with high accountability.

Other Requirements

• Must be physically based in the UAE and available to liaise with CBUAE when required.
• Able to serve as the named MLRO and CCO, subject to regulatory approval.
• High ethical standards and commitment to fostering a culture of compliance and transparency.

What you will get in return:

• Competitive Salary: We believe great work deserves great pay! Your skills and talents will be rewarded with a salary that makes you feel valued and motivated.
• Work-Life Harmony: Join a company that genuinely cares about you—because your life outside of work matters just as much as your time on the clock.
• Annual Performance Bonus: Your hard work doesn’t go unnoticed! Celebrate your achievements with a well-deserved annual bonus tied to your performance.
• Generous Time Off: Need a breather? Our annual leave policy lets you recharge and enjoy life outside of work without a worry.
• Employee Referral Program: Love working here? Share the love! Bring your talented friends on board and get rewarded for growing our awesome team.
• Comprehensive Health & Pension Benefits: From medical insurance to pension plans, we’ve got your back. Plus, location-specific benefits and perks!
• Workation Wonderland: Live your digital nomad dreams with 30 extra days to work remotely from anywhere in the world (some restrictions apply). Adventure awaits!
• Volunteer Days: Make a difference! Take two additional paid days each year to support causes you care about and give back to the community.

Be a key player at the forefront of the digital assets movement, propelling your career to new heights! Join a dynamic and rapidly expanding company that values and rewards talent, initiative, and creativity. Work alongside one of the most brilliant teams in the industry.