MLRO/ Financial Crime Manager

ABOUT THE ROLE
The MLRO / Financial Crime Manager is the designated Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) and Compliance Officer, responsible for the organization's end-to-end Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter Financing of Terrorism (CFT) program. This role involves ensuring the deployment of an effective risk-based approach to detect and report suspicious activities related to money laundering, terrorist financing, financial crime, and fraud. The MLRO / Financial Crime Manager designs and tunes transaction monitoring and screening mechanisms, manages the Financial Crime and Fraud team, and operates independently in decision-making. This individual will serve as the primary contact with the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE), the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), and law enforcement on AML/CFT matters while providing key reporting to Senior Management and the Board.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• MLRO Designation and Program Ownership: As the designated MLRO, own, design, and enhance the organization's AML/CFT program, adhering to UAE law, CBUAE regulations, and international standards.
• Detection and Investigation: Monitor and investigate transactions related to money laundering, terrorism financing, and fraud; review and document internal suspicious activity reports (SARs) and flag suspicious transactions.
• SAR/STR Decision and Filing: Decide whether to notify the FIU via SAR/STR or to maintain the transaction while documenting the rationale for the decision meticulously.
• Post-Filing Actions: Implement follow-up actions post-SAR/STR filing, including the maintenance of internal watchlists and adjusting customers' risk ratings.
• AML/CFT Risk Assessment: Lead regular organization-wide risk assessments to identify and address AML/CFT vulnerabilities and continuously review risk matters.
• Regulatory and Law Enforcement Liaison: Serve as the main point of contact for the CBUAE, FIU, and law enforcement, responding to production orders, and cooperating with authorities.
• Database and Screening Checks: Ensure effective sanctions, watchlist, and PEP screenings, escalating high-risk relationships as necessary.
• Register Maintenance: Maintain internal, external, and PEP registers with assistance from the team.
• Advisory to Head of Compliance: Provide advice on financial crime compliance matters to the Head of Compliance.
• Committee Participation: Actively contribute to the Fraud, Compliance, and Risk Committees.
• Compliance/MLRO Sign-Off: Review and approve payments and transactions requiring Compliance/MLRO sign-off.
• Policy and Procedure Review: Evaluate internal AML/CFT policies against legal requirements and propose updates as necessary.
• Independent Assessment: Assess compliance with AML/CFT systems and propose enhancements.
• Reporting to Board and CLCO: Report directly to the Board and prepare required reports for Senior Management and the CBUAE.
• Training: Develop and document training programs related to money laundering and fraud prevention for employees, working with the Compliance Lead.
• Transaction Monitoring and Fraud Prevention: Design and enhance monitoring controls to prevent fraud and detect suspicious activity.
• Team Management: Oversee and develop the FinCrime and Fraud team, ensuring compliance with reporting obligations.
• Fitness and Propriety: Support ensuring high standards of competency for AML/CFT functions.
• CBUAE Approval and Fit and Proper Status: Maintain approval as MLRO and ensure compliance with fit-and-proper criteria.
• Ongoing Awareness: Stay informed of AML/CFT legislation and industry best practices.
• Collaboration: Work with Compliance, Risk Management, Legal, and other departments to support risk mitigation strategies.

AML/FINANCIAL CRIME TOOLS AND SYSTEMS FAMILIARITY

• Transaction Monitoring Systems (e.g., NICE Actimize, FICO TONBELLER, Oracle Mantas)
• Sanctions Screening Tools (e.g., World-Check, Dow Jones Risk & Compliance)
• Customer Due Diligence (CDD)/KYC Platforms (e.g., ComplyAdvantage)
• Case Management Systems (e.g., AML RightSource, Actimize AML)
• Regulatory Reporting Tools integrated with FIU's goAML system
• Fraud detection tools (e.g., Feedzai, ThreatMetrix)
• Familiarity with data analysis and business intelligence tools such as SQL or Tableau is a plus.

YOUR PROFILE

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in AML/CFT, financial crime, and fraud risk management within financial services or fintech sectors.
• Proven expertise in SAR/STR reporting and investigations, and with leading AML/CFT programs.
• In-depth knowledge of UAE AML/CFT laws, CBUAE regulations, and financial crime typologies.
• Strong analytical and investigative skills, with meticulous attention to detail.
• A Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field; relevant Master’s degree is preferred.
• CAMS or CFE certification; other relevant professional certifications valued.
• Eligible for CBUAE approval as MLRO, meeting fit-and-proper criteria.
• Effective communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to interpret complex regulatory frameworks.
• Proficiency in English; Arabic is an advantage; ability to thrive in fast-paced, tech-driven environments.

REPORTING STRUCTURE
The selected candidate will directly report to the Board of Directors and the Compliance Lead, consistent with CBUAE independence requirements for the MLRO function.

COLLABORATION
This role involves collaboration with the Compliance Director, Risk Management, Legal, and business units, acting as the primary interface with CBUAE, FIU, and law enforcement on relevant matters.