Deputy MLRO

Our client is a leading global digital assets platform seeking a Deputy Money Laundering Reporting Officer (Deputy MLRO) to strengthen its UAE compliance and financial crime framework.Reporting to the UAE MLRO, this individual will play a central role in shaping and executing the firm’s AML, CTF, sanctions, and broader financial crime strategy across its UAE-regulated entities, with a particular focus on crypto, digital assets, and high-velocity payment flows.The role is suited to a seasoned financial crime professional who combines strong technical AML knowledge of the UAE regulatory landscape with the ability to operate as a pragmatic business partner in a fast-paced, product-driven environment.Key ResponsibilitiesSupport to the MLRO & Regulatory InterfaceAct as a senior deputy and trusted adviser to the UAE MLRO in all AML, CTF, sanctions, and financial crime matters.Assist in managing day-to-day engagement with relevant UAE regulators (e.g. CBUAE, VARA, DFSA, FSRA, and other competent authorities as applicable), including responses to enquiries, inspections, thematic reviews, and audits.Prepare, review, and where appropriate support the MLRO in filing regulatory reports, including STRs/SARs to the UAE Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) via goAML, and other mandated submissions.Help ensure that the firm remains up to date with UAE AML/CFT legislation, implementing regulations, guidance, and expectations specific to virtual assets / crypto, and that these are embedded into internal policies and procedures.AML / CTF Framework & GovernanceCo-own, with the MLRO, the design, maintenance and continuous enhancement of the AML/CTF compliance programme, tailored to the risks inherent in digital assets, cross-border flows, and new products.Support the development and periodic review of the Business Risk Assessment and AML Risk Assessment, ensuring that emerging risks (e.g. DeFi, darknet exposure, mixers, privacy coins) are captured and reflected in controls.Draft, review, and periodically update policies, standards, and procedures covering KYC / CDD, EDD, ongoing monitoring, sanctions screening, PEP handling, transaction monitoring, and suspicious activity reporting.Contribute to the preparation of MLRO reports to senior management and the Board, providing clear, data-led insight into financial crime risk, control performance, and remediation status.Client Due Diligence & OnboardingOversee, with the MLRO, the implementation of risk-based KYC/CDD frameworks for retail, institutional, and high-risk clients, ensuring alignment with UAE regulatory expectations for VASPs / crypto exchanges.Provide second-line advisory to onboarding and sales teams on complex cases, including high-risk geographies, corporate structures, source of wealth/funds, and crypto-specific risk indicators.Review and, where required, sign off on high-risk client approvals, EDD packs, and periodic reviews, ensuring decisions are consistent, well documented, and defensible to regulators and auditors.Transaction Monitoring, Investigations & ReportingHelp manage the transaction monitoring framework, including rules design, calibration, tuning, and periodic model validation, with a specific lens on blockchain analytics and on/off-ramp behaviour.Oversee the handling of alerts, investigations, and case management, ensuring that suspicious activity is identified, escalated, documented, and reported to the FIU in a timely and robust manner.Leverage blockchain analytics and other intelligence tools to detect typologies such as chain-hopping, layering, mixer usage, ransomware proceeds, sanctions evasion, and market abuse relevant to digital assets.Drive quality and consistency in investigation files, ensuring they withstand regulatory scrutiny and internal audit review.Sanctions, Screening & Name MatchingSupport the MLRO in designing and operating the sanctions and screening programme, including real-time and batch screening of customers, transactions, and wallet addresses against relevant sanctions lists and watchlists.Oversee complex sanctions-related investigations and escalations, ensuring a defensible and well-governed approach to list matches, potential breaches, and reporting obligations.Maintain close awareness of global sanctions developments impacting crypto and digital assets, and help translate them into clear internal requirements.Strategy, Advisory & ChangeAct as a strategic partner to Product, Technology, Operations, Legal and Business teams, ensuring that new products, markets, and partnerships are designed with “compliance by design” principles.Contribute to the financial crime strategy for the UAE, aligning it with group standards while tailoring to local regulatory expectations and market realities.Provide structured input into new product approval processes, including risk assessments, control proposals, and go-live readiness reviews.Champion a data-driven approach, using metrics, dashboards, and thematic analysis to challenge and improve the financial crime framework.Training, Culture & LeadershipSupport the MLRO in delivering AML/CTF training and awareness programmes across the UAE organisation, including tailored sessions for front-line teams, senior management, and specialist functions.Help embed a strong culture of compliance and personal accountability, where financial crime risk is understood and owned by the business.Mentor and develop more junior members of the compliance and financial crime team, acting as a visible, accessible senior point of guidance.Assurance, Testing & AuditWork with internal audit, compliance testing and external advisors to scope, coordinate and respond to reviews of the AML/CTF framework.Track and drive remediation of findings, recommendations and action plans, ensuring sustainable fixes and timely closure.Periodically perform or oversee thematic reviews (e.g. KYC quality, EDD completeness, TM alert handling, sanctions controls) to identify weaknesses and areas for enhancement.Candidate Profile10+ years’ experience in AML / financial crime, with significant time spent in crypto / digital assets, digital payments, or FinTech, or in a leading bank with exposure to high-velocity transactional products.Strong understanding of the UAE regulatory landscape for AML/CTF and virtual assets (e.g. CBUAE, VARA, DFSA, FSRA frameworks), and comfort engaging directly with regulators.Proven experience in designing, implementing and enhancing AML frameworks in complex, technology-driven environments.Familiarity with blockchain analytics tools, transaction monitoring systems, sanctions screening platforms, and related regtech solutions.Demonstrable track record acting as a trusted adviser to senior management, able to balance regulatory expectations with commercial pragmatism.Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to produce clear, concise, regulator-ready documentation and reporting.Professional qualifications such as CAMS, ICA, ACAMS, or equivalent are highly desirable.