Compliance Director - UAE

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.

Why Join Zodia Custody?

You’ll be joining a high‑performing, mission‑driven team backed by some of the world’s most respected financial institutions. You’ll have the autonomy to build, influence and elevate compliance standards in one of the most dynamic regulatory environments globally. And you’ll play a defining role in shaping how institutions safely adopt digital assets.

Requirements

What You Bring

• 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

We are a friendly team, with monthly socials and seasonal celebrations as well as offering a range of fantastic benefits including:

• 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)