Team Lead – Compliance Monitoring, Assurance & Testing

• Own and maintain a risk-based annual Compliance Monitoring & Assurance Plan (CMAP)
• Design and execute control testing across AML/CFT, sanctions, market abuse, client-asset safeguarding, complaint handling, outsourcing, and technology/cyber governance
• Apply full-cycle assurance methodology from scoping through closure validation
• Deliver thematic deep-dives aligned to FSRA supervisory priorities
• Ensure monitoring activities map to FSRA AML/CFT, COBS, GEN, PRU, and Virtual Asset framework obligations
• Support the Compliance Officer and MLRO under FSRA's risk-based supervision model
• Maintain evidence trails for FSRA information requests, inspections, and thematic reviews
• Monitor regulatory change and update the monitoring plan
• Produce board-ready assurance reports with quantified findings, severity ratings, and management action plans
• Operate issue-management and remediation-tracking frameworks
• Present monitoring results to Risk Committees, Compliance Committees, and the Board/Audit Committee where required
• Liaise with Internal Audit and external auditors
• Test CDD/EDD, KYC onboarding, periodic review, PEP/sanctions screening, transaction monitoring, and SAR/STR escalation
• Assess suspicious activity identification and reporting, including FIU-UAE submission quality
• Verify Targeted Financial Sanctions and asset-freeze controls
• Build, mentor, and lead the assurance team
• Set testing standards, perform quality review, and coach team members
• Manage resource allocation and delivery against agreed SLAs
• Maintain CMAT policies, methodologies, and documentation to an auditable standard
• Drive automation and data analytics
• Embed lessons learned into first- and second-line processes and training

• 7–10+ years in compliance, assurance, internal audit, or regulatory supervision within financial services, fintech, preferably within crypto/VASP environments
• 3+ years leading teams or workstreams in a second-line or audit function
• Strong working knowledge of ADGM FSRA rulebooks and the UAE AML/CFT landscape; comparable MAS, HKMA, FCA, or DIFC/DFSA experience will be considered
• Proven track record designing and executing risk-based compliance monitoring/testing programmes
• Depth in AML/CFT, sanctions, and financial-crime control testing
• Excellent written and verbal English; strong report-writing and stakeholder-presentation skills
• CAMS, CGSS, CRMA, CIA, ACCA/ACA, ICA, or equivalent certification desirable
• Prior experience in a regulated crypto/VASP or high-growth fintech desirable
• Data analytics, SQL, or audit-automation tooling skills desirable
• Arabic language proficiency advantageous, not required

• No benefits, perks, or compensation extras are specified in the posting