Head of Compliance & MLRO

To be considered for this role, you must bring direct crypto exchange experience, strong exposure to the UAE regulatory environment, and ideally be VARA approved or have worked closely with VARA in a regulated capacity. This is a critical hire for a business that needs someone credible, hands-on, and able to operate with confidence in a fast-scaling virtual assets environment.Culturally, we are looking for someone who has worked both internationally and on the ground in the UAE, and who thrives in startup or scale-up environments. This role will suit a 0–1 builder — someone who knows how to put structure, governance, and control into a business that is still evolving, without slowing it down.Our client is a global crypto exchange continuing to strengthen its presence in Dubai. This is a high-impact leadership role for a senior compliance professional who wants to build, shape, and lead.The OpportunityWe are seeking a Head of Compliance & MLRO to lead compliance, financial crime, and regulatory oversight for the Dubai entity. This is a compliance-first leadership role, suited to someone who can build and embed a strong governance and controls environment from the ground up.You will work closely with senior leadership, including the Group CRO, to implement both group-wide and UAE-specific compliance frameworks, while acting as the key point of contact with VARA.This role combines hands-on execution with strategic regulatory leadership, making it ideal for someone who can operate at both the detail level and the senior stakeholder level.Key ResponsibilitiesCompliance & GovernanceLead the design, implementation, and continuous enhancement of the UAE compliance framework across AML/CTF, sanctions, and regulatory obligationsBuild and strengthen policies, procedures, internal controls, and governance frameworksEnsure alignment between local UAE requirements and broader group governance standardsPartner with Internal Audit and wider control functions on testing, remediation, and ongoing control effectivenessSupport broader regional compliance collaboration where neededOversee the full AML/CTF framework including KYC, CDD, EDD, transaction monitoring, sanctions screening, investigations, and suspicious activity escalationAct as MLRO and approve STR/SAR filings as requiredMaintain and enhance customer risk rating and financial crime risk frameworksLead compliance and enterprise risk assessments, identifying and mitigating key regulatory and operational risksAdvise business, product, and leadership teams on compliance implications of new initiatives and ongoing activitiesEnsure risks are appropriately tracked, managed, and reported to senior management and Board levelVirtual Assets / VARA OversightOversee Travel Rule compliance and VASP counterparty due diligenceMonitor on-chain activity and wallet risk through blockchain analytics toolsEnsure adherence to VARA-specific requirements, including consumer protection, market conduct, reporting, and Responsible Individual obligationsAct as the primary point of contact for VARA across licensing, inspections, submissions, notifications, and ongoing engagementPolicy, Controls & CultureDevelop and maintain compliance manuals, policies, and proceduresDrive a strong compliance culture through training, education, and practical guidance to the businessHelp create a robust yet commercially effective control environment within a scaling businessCandidate ProfileWe are keen to speak with professionals who bring:Proven experience within a crypto exchange or regulated digital assets businessStrong understanding of the UAE regulatory landscape, ideally with direct VARA exposurePrior experience as a Head of Compliance, Compliance Officer, MLRO, or a strong deputy stepping into a broader leadership roleExperience operating in a startup, build-phase, or scaling environmentThe ability to work both strategically and hands-onCredibility with regulators and confidence engaging with senior internal stakeholdersInternational experience alongside a strong understanding of local UAE market dynamicsAML/CFT certifications such as CAMS or ICA are advantageous#J-18808-Ljbffr