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 overseeing the organization's end-to-end AML/CFT program in accordance with the UAE AML/CFT Decision and CBUAE Guidelines. This role includes ensuring the effectiveness of the risk-based approach to detecting and reporting suspicious activity, managing the FinCrime and Fraud team, and serving as the primary liaison with the CBUAE, the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), and law enforcement agencies regarding financial crime matters. The MLRO / Financial Crime Manager will provide clear, regular updates on program effectiveness to Senior Management and the Board, and will require CBUAE approval to operate in this capacity.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• MLRO Designation and Program Ownership: Act as the designated MLRO in accordance with financial crime regulations, enhancing the organization's AML/CFT governance, policies, and controls to align with UAE law, CBUAE regulations, and international standards.
• Detection and Investigation: Monitor and investigate transactions related to money laundering, terrorist financing, and fraud, reviewing internal SARs/STRs and documenting findings.
• SAR/STR Decision and Filing: Maintain confidentiality while deciding on notifications to the FIU, documenting rationale for decisions, and ensuring timely and accurate reporting of suspicious activities.
• Post-Filing Actions: Implement follow-up actions after filing reports, such as placing subjects on watchlists and updating risk ratings.
• AML/CFT Risk Assessment: Lead organization-wide risk assessments to identify vulnerabilities to money laundering and terrorist financing.
• Regulatory and Law Enforcement Liaison: Serve as the point of contact for the CBUAE, FIU, and law enforcement, responding to data requests and enhancing sector coordination.
• Database and Screening Checks: Manage sanctions and PEP screening programs and ensure compliance with relevant check protocols.
• Register Maintenance: Maintain Internal, External, Enquiries, and PEP Registers.
• Advisory to Head of Compliance: Provide advisory support to the Head of Compliance on financial crime matters.
• Committee Participation: Participate in compliance and risk committees.
• Compliance/MLRO Sign-Off: Review and sign off on payments and activities requiring compliance approval.
• Policy and Procedure Review: Review and propose updates to AML/CFT policies, ensuring alignment with laws and regulations.
• Independent Assessment: Assess compliance with AML/CFT systems and suggest enhancements.
• Reporting to the Board and CLCO: Report directly to the Board and prepare periodic reports on program effectiveness.
• Training: Oversee training programs for employees on financial crime matters.
• Transaction Monitoring and Fraud Prevention: Design, implement, and optimize transaction monitoring and screening rules.
• Team Management: Manage the FinCrime and Fraud team, overseeing compliance reporting activities.
• Fitness and Propriety: Support screening procedures relevant to employee fitness and propriety.
• CBUAE Approval and Fit and Proper Status: Maintain CBUAE MLRO approval and fulfill ongoing fit-and-proper requirements.
• Ongoing Awareness: Stay informed of AML/CFT legislation and best practices.
• Collaboration: Work closely with Compliance Lead, Risk Manager, Legal, and relevant stakeholders to support compliance strategies.

AML/FINANCIAL CRIME TOOLS AND SYSTEMS FAMILIARITY:

• Transaction Monitoring Systems (e.g., NICE Actimize, FICO TONBELLER, Oracle Mantas, SAS AML)
• Sanctions Screening Tools (e.g., World-Check, Dow Jones Risk & Compliance, LexisNexis Bridger Insight)
• Customer Due Diligence (CDD)/KYC Platforms (e.g., ComplyAdvantage, IdentityMind, Onfido, Trulioo)
• Case Management Systems (e.g., AML RightSource, CaseWare, Actimize AML Case Manager)
• Regulatory Reporting Tools integrated with the FIU's goAML system or other regulatory portals
• Fraud detection and payment screening tools (e.g., Feedzai, ThreatMetrix, Featurespace ARIC) relevant to fintech and payments environments
• Experience with data analysis and business intelligence tools such as SQL, Tableau, or Power BI is a plus.

YOUR PROFILE

• Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in AML/CFT, financial crime, and fraud risk management within financial services or reputable fintech/payments businesses.
• Proven AML/CFT experience with demonstrated leadership in owning AML/CFT programs, reporting, and investigations.
• Comprehensive knowledge of UAE AML/CFT laws, CBUAE regulations, and financial crime typologies, especially in fintech and payment services.
• Strong analytical skills with attention to detail in decision-making on SAR/STR filings.
• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Law, Information Technology, or a related discipline; a Master’s degree is an advantage.
• CAMS certified (Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist); additional relevant certifications (CFE, ICA, etc.) are highly valued.
• Eligible for CBUAE approval as MLRO, meeting fit-and-proper criteria.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to thrive in fast-paced, multicultural, technology-driven environments; fluency in English required, Arabic is an advantage.

REPORTING STRUCTURE
The selected candidate will report directly to the Board of Directors and the CLCO, escalating relevant issues as necessary, in accordance with the independence required for the Compliance Officer/MLRO function.

COLLABORATION
The candidate will work with the Compliance Director/Head of Compliance, Risk Manager, Legal, Internal Audit, and other business units, serving as the main interface with the CBUAE, the FIU, and law enforcement on AML/CFT and financial crime matters.