Summary
Apex Group is seeking a senior Compliance Officer and MLRO for its regulated UAE operations in Abu Dhabi. The role leads regulatory licensing and authorization work, maintains compliance frameworks for virtual-asset businesses, and liaises with the FSRA, DFSA, VARA and UAE Financial Intelligence Unit. Duties include AML/CFT oversight, regulatory reporting, risk assessments, training, and advising senior leadership and the Board. Applicants should have relevant compliance or regulatory experience, exposure to virtual assets or crypto exchanges, and knowledge of AML/KYC frameworks.
The posting
As published on theapexgroup.com. Pulled from the employer's site and shown as they wrote it.
The Apex Group was established in Bermuda in 2003 and is now one of the world’s largest fund administration and middle office solutions providers.
Our business is unique in its ability to reach globally, service locally and provide cross-jurisdictional services. With our clients at the heart of everything we do, our hard-working team has successfully delivered on an unprecedented growth and transformation journey, and we are now represented by over circa 13,000 employees across 112 offices worldwide.Your career with us should reflect your energy and passion.
That’s why, at Apex Group, we will do more than simply ‘empower’ you. We will work to supercharge your unique skills and experience.
Take the lead and we’ll give you the support you need to be at the top of your game. And we offer you the freedom to be a positive disrupter and turn big ideas into bold, industry-changing realities.
For our business, for clients, and for you
Role: Compliance Officer & Money Laundering Reporting Officer (CO/MLRO)
Regulated Entity: FSRA and DFSA
Primary Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Regulatory Status: Approved Person – Compliance Officer & MLRO (FSRA / DFSA)
ROLE PURPOSE:
- The CO/MLRO is a senior control function holder, with primary responsibility for regulatory compliance, AML/CFT oversight, licensing, and governance businesses regulated by the FSRA, DFSA and/or VAR in the UAE.
Key Responsibilities – Regulatory Licensing & Authorizations
- Lead and manage end-to-end licensing, authorization, and variation of permission applications with the FSRA, DFSA, and VARA for digital asset, virtual asset, and crypto exchange activities.
- Act as the primary regulatory liaison for all license applications, regulatory submissions, and post-authorization supervisory engagements.
- Prepare and oversee regulatory business plans, compliance frameworks, AML/CTF frameworks, governance documents, and Approved Person submissions required for authorization.
- Coordinate responses to regulatory queries, information requests, thematic reviews, and inspections conducted by FSRA, DFSA, or VARA.
- Ensure ongoing compliance with license conditions, regulatory commitments, and supervisory action plans.
Key Responsibilities – Compliance Oversight
- Serve as the principal point of contact with the FSRA and DFSA for all compliance matters.
- Design, implement, and maintain compliance frameworks tailored to virtual assets, digital assets, and crypto exchange operations.
- Ensure compliance across products including token listings, spot trading, wallets, custody solutions, staking, and stablecoins.
- Monitor regulatory developments impacting digital assets (FSRA, DFSA, VARA awareness) and ensure timely policy updates.
- Develop and execute a risk-based Compliance Monitoring Programme and annual compliance plan.
- Oversee all regulatory filings, notifications, approvals, and periodic reporting obligations.
- Provide regular compliance reporting to the Senior Executive Officer (SEO), Governing Body, and Board committees.
Key Responsibilities – AML/CFT & Financial Crime
- Act as the MLRO and primary point of contact with the UAE Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and competent authorities.
- Establish, implement, and maintain AML/CFT, sanctions, and counter-proliferation financing frameworks aligned with FSRA and DFSA AML Rulebooks.
- Oversee crypto-specific AML controls including blockchain analytics and transaction monitoring tools.
- Ensure compliance with Travel Rule requirements, ongoing monitoring obligations, and STR/SAR reporting.
- Conduct enterprise-wide AML and financial crime risk assessments covering custody risks, smart contract risks, cross-border flows, and fraud typologies.
- Deliver AML/CFT training to staff, senior management, and Board members.
Governance, Risk & Assurance
- Advise the Board and senior management on regulatory risks and compliance matters. Identify, assess, and mitigate regulatory, operational, and financial crime risks.
- Coordinate regulatory audits, inspections, and independent reviews, managing remediation actions to closure.
- Maintain regulatory registers including breaches, complaints, training records, regulatory correspondence, and suspicious transactions.
- Embed compliance-by-design principles within technology, product development, and blockchain integrations.
Experience & Competency Requirements
- University degree in law, compliance, finance, risk management, or a related discipline.
- Relevant compliance and regulatory experience, with strong exposure to virtual assets, digital assets, or crypto exchange businesses.
- Prior experience as an Approved Person, Compliance Officer, MLRO, or Head of Compliance in a regulated environment.
- Strong working knowledge of FSRA and DFSA regulatory experience is highly desirable.
- Hands-on experience with AML/KYC frameworks. Ability to operate independently with sound judgment, seniority, integrity, and regulatory credibility.
Disclaimer: Unsolicited CVs sent to Apex (Talent Acquisition Team or Hiring Managers) by recruitment agencies will not be accepted for this position. Apex operates a direct sourcing model and where agency assistance is required, the Talent Acquisition team will engage directly with our exclusive recruitment partners.