indeed
Compliance Director - UAE
Zodia Custody
, UAE
Full Time
Director
2 weeks ago
Financial Crime ComplianceAML/CFTRegulatory ManagementData ProtectionBlockchainStakeholder Management
Free
Job Fit Check
Base Career helps you apply smarter for this job.
?%
Ready to ScanKey skills for this role
Financial Crime ComplianceAML/CFTRegulatory Management
About the Role
Zodia Custody seeks a Compliance Director to serve as COMLRO in ADGM, overseeing financial crime compliance and regulatory management for a digital asset custodian. Requires 7+ years of financial crime experience, previous COMLRO approval, and deep UAE regulatory knowledge.
Key Skills for This Role
Financial Crime ComplianceAML/CFTRegulatory ManagementData ProtectionBlockchainStakeholder Management
Responsibilities
- Hold prescribed senior management responsibility for compliance and financial crime matters for our ADGM entity as FSRA Approved COMLRO
- Act as Data Protection Officer, overseeing governance, regulatory engagement and incident reporting under ADGM Data Protection Regulations
- Design, implement and maintain a comprehensive compliance and financial crime framework covering AML/CFT, sanctions, fraud, ABC, tax evasion, conduct, conflicts, data protection and market integrity
- Lead policy development, regulatory interpretation, horizon scanning and timely submission of all FSRA returns, notifications and incident reports
- Oversee client due diligence, sanctions screening, blockchain investigations and enhanced due diligence for UAE clients
- Serve as primary liaison with the FSRA and other UAE authorities
- Provide compliance oversight of outsourcing arrangements, including technology providers, blockchain analytics vendors and cloud services
- Work closely with Risk and Technology teams on operational resilience, incident management, cyber considerations and data localisation
- Ensure effective operation of compliance processes, including 2nd line control testing
- Partner with Group Compliance leadership to deliver global and UAE compliance initiatives
- Lead enterprise and product level risk assessments and deliver targeted compliance training
- Represent Zodia Custody at UAE industry events and speak on panels as a subject matter expert
Requirements
- 7+ years’ experience in Financial Crime & Compliance within financial services
- Previous COMLRO approval and experience overseeing a compliance function
- Deep expertise in UAE, ADGM and FSRA regulatory frameworks, including AML, CTF, sanctions, ABC, conflicts, data privacy and conduct
- Strong delivery mindset — proactive, detail oriented and comfortable operating at pace
- Leadership experience managing teams and influencing senior stakeholders
- Knowledge of digital asset regulation and associated risks; strong interest in blockchain technology
- UAE residency or passport holder, and ability to work regularly from ADGM
- Exceptional communication skills and a reputation for integrity, transparency and trust
Full Job Posting
Role Overview
- This is a full time role for a Compliance Director, performing the COMLRO role in the ADGM for an FSRA authorised digital asset custodian.
- The individual will be responsible for safeguarding Zodia against financial crime by establishing and maintaining a robust compliance framework, proactively managing regulatory requirements, and mitigating emerging risks.
- This is a fast paced role within a high performing environment.
- The ideal candidate is an experienced compliance professional with deep knowledge of financial crime and compliance regulations in traditional finance, along with experience or a strong interest in digital assets.
Key Responsibilities
- FSRA‑Approved COMLRO — Hold prescribed senior management responsibility for compliance and financial crime matters for our ADGM entity.
- Data Protection Leadership — Act as Data Protection Officer, overseeing governance, regulatory engagement and incident reporting under ADGM Data Protection Regulations.
- Compliance Framework Ownership — Design, implement and maintain a comprehensive compliance and financial crime framework covering AML/CFT, sanctions, fraud, ABC, tax evasion, conduct, conflicts, data protection and market integrity.
- Regulatory Management — Lead policy development, regulatory interpretation, horizon scanning and timely submission of all FSRA returns, notifications and incident reports.
- Financial Crime Operations — Oversee client due diligence, sanctions screening, blockchain investigations and enhanced due diligence for UAE clients.
- Regulator Engagement — Serve as primary liaison with the FSRA and other UAE authorities.
- Third‑Party Oversight — Provide compliance oversight of outsourcing arrangements, including technology providers, blockchain analytics vendors and cloud services.
- Cross‑Functional Partnership — Work closely with Risk and Technology teams on operational resilience, incident management, cyber considerations and data localisation.
- Control Testing & Monitoring — Ensure effective operation of compliance processes, including 2nd‑line control testing.
- Strategic Collaboration — Partner with Group Compliance leadership to deliver global and UAE compliance initiatives.
- Training & Risk Assessment — Lead enterprise and product‑level risk assessments and deliver targeted compliance training.
- Market Representation — Represent Zodia Custody at UAE industry events and speak on panels as a subject matter expert.
Requirements
- 7+ years’ experience in Financial Crime & Compliance within financial services.
- Previous COMLRO approval and experience overseeing a compliance function.
- Deep expertise in UAE, ADGM and FSRA regulatory frameworks, including AML, CTF, sanctions, ABC, conflicts, data privacy and conduct.
- Strong delivery mindset — proactive, detail‑oriented and comfortable operating at pace.
- Leadership experience managing teams and influencing senior stakeholders.
- Knowledge of digital asset regulation and associated risks; strong interest in blockchain technology.
- UAE residency or passport holder, and ability to work regularly from ADGM.
- Exceptional communication skills and a reputation for integrity, transparency and trust.
- Desirable: Experience in digital asset firms, custody, or blockchain analytics tools.
Benefits
- Competitive salary of circa 840k AED
- Private health care
- Generous Annual Leave
- Life Insurance
- Flexible bank holidays (can chose whether to work on bank holidays and use the leave elsewhere in the year)
Apply for this job in 1 click
Skip the repetitive application forms
Install the Base Career Chrome Extension and autofill job applications across major job boards with your profile.
Trusted by over 500,000 job seekers on Base Career