Head of Compliance | MLRO

About the role

This position focuses on regulatory leadership and oversight for Btse's Dubai entity. The Head of Compliance will be the primary contact for UAE regulatory bodies such as VARA and the Central Bank, managing all regulatory filings, inspections, and correspondence. The role requires ensuring that new or updated regulations are implemented promptly and representing the firm in all regulatory meetings and audits.

A key component of this role is serving as the designated Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) for the Dubai entity. Responsibilities include overseeing customer due diligence, transaction monitoring, and sanctions screening, all in line with UAE federal decrees. The successful candidate will also be responsible for maintaining and updating the AML/CTF framework, conducting internal compliance reviews, and ensuring all employees receive adequate training.

The Head of Compliance will also contribute to governance, policy, and advisory functions, developing and maintaining the compliance policy framework in alignment with group standards. This includes providing strategic compliance advice to management and product teams on new initiatives, participating in risk committees, and overseeing data protection and regulatory reporting in collaboration with other departments. Success in this role means effectively mitigating compliance risks and ensuring robust regulatory adherence.

The salary for this position ranges from $150,000 to $250,000 annually.

Skills that matter here

• AML/CTF: This role requires leading and maintaining the anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing framework for the Dubai entity, including policies, procedures, and risk assessments.
• KYC: The Head of Compliance will oversee customer due diligence processes to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Regulatory compliance: This position involves ensuring adherence to UAE regulations, acting as the primary contact for regulatory authorities, and implementing new or updated guidelines.
• Risk assessments: The role includes maintaining and updating AML/CTF risk assessments tailored to the virtual asset sector and leading annual reviews of the entity's risk assessment.
• Transaction monitoring: The candidate will oversee transaction monitoring activities to identify and report suspicious transactions in accordance with local regulations.
• Compliance policy development: This position is responsible for developing and maintaining the compliance policy framework for Btse Dubai, ensuring alignment with group standards.

Who this role suits

• A professional with 7-10 years of compliance and AML/CTF experience in financial services, fintech, or crypto.
• Someone with a deep understanding of the UAE regulatory landscape and a proven track record of dealing directly with regulators.
• An individual who is a UAE citizen, legally authorized to work locally, and possesses native-level Arabic proficiency.
• A leader capable of interpreting complex regulatory requirements and providing strategic compliance advice to management.

From the employer

Regulatory Leadership & Oversight

• Act as BTSE Dubai’s principal contact for VARA, Central Bank of the UAE, FIU, and other relevant authorities.
• Lead and manage all regulatory filings, notifications, inspections, and correspondence.
• Ensure timely implementation of new or updated regulations, circulars, and guidance issued by VARA or other supervisory bodies.
• Represent the firm in regulatory meetings and audits, ensuring all inquiries are addressed promptly and accurately.

AML / CTF & Financial Crime Compliance

• Serve as the designated MLRO for the Dubai entity.
• Oversee customer due diligence (CDD/KYC), transaction monitoring, sanctions screening, investigations, and suspicious transaction reporting in line with Federal Decree-Law No. (20) of 2018 and Cabinet Decision No. (10) of 2019.
• Maintain and update the AML/CTF framework, including policies, procedures, and risk assessments tailored to the virtual asset sector.
• Ensure all employees receive adequate AML/CTF and compliance training, including onboarding and annual refreshers.
• Conduct periodic internal compliance reviews and testing to assess control effectiveness and recommend improvements.

Governance, Policy & Advisory

• Develop and maintain BTSE Dubai’s compliance policy framework, ensuring alignment with BTSE Group standards.
• Provide strategic compliance and regulatory advice to management and product teams on new initiatives, business models, and partnerships.
• Participate in risk committees, ensuring that compliance risks are properly identified, documented, and mitigated.
• Oversee the data protection and regulatory reporting functions in collaboration with legal and risk counterparts.

Monitoring & Reporting

• Maintain detailed records of compliance monitoring activities, breaches, and remedial actions.
• Prepare periodic compliance and AML reports for the Board and the Group Chief Compliance Officer.
• Establish and track Key Compliance Indicators (KCIs) to measure program effectiveness.
• Lead the annual review of the entity’s Risk Assessment and Compliance Monitoring Plan.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Law, Finance, Business, or related field (Master’s preferred).
• Minimum 7–10 years of compliance and AML/CTF experience within financial services, fintech, or virtual asset/crypto industries.
• Deep understanding of UAE regulatory landscape (VARA, CBUAE, DFSA, FSRA) and related AML/CTF obligations.
• Proven experience dealing directly with regulators and leading compliance programs in the UAE.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex regulatory requirements.
• Native-level Arabic proficiency, with strong written and verbal communication skills in English.
• UAE citizenship is required for this role, along with legal authorization to work locally.

Nice to haves

• Professional certifications such as CAMS, ICA, CCAS, or equivalent.
• Experience with blockchain analytics tools (Chainalysis, TRM Labs, Elliptic, etc.).
• Previous involvement in license applications or regulatory inspections under VARA, ADGM or similar regimes.
• Familiarity with market surveillance tools (e.g., Solidus Labs, NASDAQ SMARTS).