Director, Compliance (UAE)

About Zodia CustodyZodia Custody is the leading institution-first digital asset custodian, formed through a partnership between Standard Chartered, Northern Trust, SBI Holdings and National Australia Bank. Our mission is to enable institutional investors worldwide to fully embrace the potential of the digital asset future in a secure and reliable manner. By combining cutting-edge technology, robust custody solutions, and a focus on governance and compliance, Zodia Custody meets the complex needs of institutional investors.About the roleThis is a full-time role for a Compliance Director, performing the MLRO 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.ResponsibilitiesServe as the FSRA approved Compliance Officer and Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) for Zodia Custody’s ADGM regulated entity, with prescribed senior management responsibility for compliance and financial crime matters.Act as Data Protection Officer (or equivalent responsible person) in accordance with the ADGM Data Protection Regulations, overseeing data protection governance, regulatory engagement and incident reporting.Design, implement and maintain a comprehensive compliance and financial crime framework covering AML/CFT, sanctions, fraud, bribery and corruption, tax evasion, conduct risk, conflicts of interest, data protection and market integrity, aligned to FSRA Rulebooks and Zodia Group standards.Develop policies, standards and processes to ensure adherence with all local regulatory requirements, including interpretation and analysis of incoming regulatory requirements.Ensure the timely and accurate submission of all mandatory FSRA regulatory returns, notifications and ad‑hoc information requests, including incident, breach and financial crime reporting.Oversee and, where required, execute client due diligence, sanctions screening, blockchain investigations and enhanced due diligence for UAE clients, ensuring appropriate segregation between first and second‑line activities.Primary liaison with the FSRA and other applicable UAE regulatory authorities.Provide compliance oversight of material outsourcing and third‑party arrangements, including technology providers, blockchain analytics vendors and cloud service providers, in line with FSRA outsourcing requirements.Partner with Risk and Technology teams to ensure compliance input into operational resilience frameworks, incident management and regulatory notification obligations, data localisation, retention and cyber‑risk considerations.Oversee the effective operation of compliance and financial crime process operations, including executing 2nd line control sample testing.Collaborate with Group Compliance leadership to create strategic plans and guarantee the timely achievement of essential compliance initiatives and objectives covering global and UAE local compliance controls.Lead enterprise and product‑level risk assessments and deliver targeted, role‑based compliance and financial crime training for UAE staff and senior management.Represent Zodia Custody at local market events, including participating as a speaker on panels.Qualifications7+ years in a financial crime and compliance role in a financial services firm, including previous experience holding an approved MLRO role with a firm and overseeing a compliance function.A subject‑matter expert in UAE, ADGM and FSRA financial crime and compliance requirements, including but not limited to AML, CTF, sanctions, ABC, conflicts of interest, data privacy and conduct.Proactive and delivery‑focused, with a strong ability to engage directly in detailed tasks and execute efficiently.Comfortable managing changing priorities and sustaining high performance in a dynamic, fast‑paced environment.Extensive knowledge of FSRA and other UAE applicable regulatory frameworks for digital asset firms and associated financial crime and compliance risks.Experience in managing a team and acting in a leadership capacity.Resident of the UAE or hold a UAE passport.You are based in ADGM or can regularly travel to ADGM for work.Exceptional communication skills, fostering trust and transparency across all levels of the organization.You have a strong interest in digital assets and an understanding of digital assets and blockchain technology.Desirable: You have experience working in a digital asset firm and/or have extensive knowledge of digital assets, preferably custody, and are proficient in utilising blockchain analytics tools.BenefitsPrivate healt