At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead compliance and financial crime matters across the Middle East, ensuring regulatory integrity.
- Company: Join Lorum, a pioneering fintech reshaping global payment infrastructure.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, relocation support, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Work in Dubai with a focus on market expansion and product innovation.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of innovative compliance solutions in a dynamic fintech environment.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in compliance, strong regulatory knowledge, and experience in fintech.
The predicted salary is between 81000 - 99000 £ per year.
About Lorum
Global payments are not broken.
Incentives are.
Clearing has been deprioritised inside balance sheet driven institutions whose models rely on lending and interest.
When liquidity takes priority over settlement, payments slow and certainty drops.
The same financial institutions that distort clearing as providers are disadvantaged as users.
They are forced into fragmented setups, inconsistent rails, duplicated compliance, and unpredictable timelines.
Stablecoin shortcuts and treasury pooling treat symptoms at the surface, but almost no one is rebuilding the underlying infrastructure in each market.
We are rebuilding clearing as its own specialist function.
We act as a clearing and transaction banking partner for regulated institutions, with treasury built into the core so liquidity, settlement, and reconciliation sit in one controlled system.
Our platform unifies global and local licenses, direct central bank clearing, and domestic rails.
We allow clients to open named customer accounts in every market we operate, collecting funds and paying out through a single network while retaining full ownership of their customer relationships.
Market expansion becomes as simple as one correspondent relationship, not hundreds.
Joining Lorum means contributing to one of the most ambitious clearing infrastructure projects in global finance.
You will help shape settlement systems that perform under real regulatory standards and institutional volumes.
You will build for regulated institutions that rely on precision, predictable timelines, and regulatory integrity.
It is about working across currencies, markets, and supervisory frameworks to deliver reliable, final settlement.
About The Role
This role is based in Dubai, relocation is provided.
Role Purpose
The Head of Compliance & MLRO will take ownership of all regulatory and financial crime matters across the Middle East.
Acting as MLRO and registered Compliance Officer, they will be responsible for managing regulatory relationships, overseeing compliance programs, leading investigations, and embedding compliance into product and operations.
Reporting to the Chief Compliance Officer, this role that requires hands-on execution in the development of our new products and services, and ensuring the company continues scaling securely at speed.
Key Responsibilities
- Regulatory leadership
- Serve as the registered Compliance Officer and MLRO under our DFSA regulated entity.
- Provide expert advice and support on the regulatory applications for the expansion of Lorum's DFSA license to cover custody and asset management services.
- Build trusted relationships with regulators, correspondent banks, and financial partners.
- Advise the board and executive leadership on compliance risks, opportunities, and emerging regulations.
- Ensure policies and procedures align with DFSA rules and other international standards.
- Integrate compliance controls into API-driven product flows and operational workflows.
- Monitor compliance performance metrics.
- Financial crime & investigations
- Oversee the detection, investigation, and reporting of suspicious transactions.
- Ensure timely filing of STR/SARs and escalation of financial crime risks.
- Lead remediation projects when required (e. g., alert backlogs, audit findings).
- Business enablement & innovation
- Partner with product, engineering, and commercial teams to support market entry and product launches.
- Anticipate compliance challenges and design guardrails before issues arise.
- Champion automation, system enhancements, and innovative risk management tools.
- Balance compliance with business growth — enabling speed without sacrificing control.
- Ideal candidate
- Must-Haves
- 8+ years’ experience in compliance and financial crime, ideally in a fintech or start-up environment.
- Prior experience at a senior level in a regulated environment.
- Strong regulatory knowledge of DFSA rules regarding Custody, Arranging or Managing Deals in Investments and Client Asset obligations, or equivalent knowledge from similar regimes, e. g.
CASS, COBS, Mi FID etc.
- Comfort working with product and engineering teams to embed compliance into technology.
- Nice-to-Haves
- Multi-jurisdictional compliance experience (Europe, US, MENA).
- Hands on designing new custody and cash management compliance programmes.
- Hands-on experience with AML/KYC systems and compliance automation.
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Head of Compliance - UAE employer: Lorum
Lorum is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic work culture focused on innovation and collaboration. As a Global Licensing Counsel, you will benefit from comprehensive professional development opportunities and be part of a team that values regulatory excellence and strategic growth in the financial services sector. Located in a vibrant area, Lorum offers a supportive environment where your contributions directly impact the company's global expansion efforts.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Compliance - UAE
✨Join Compliance Communities
Get involved in compliance and risk communities — both online and offline. Look for forums, LinkedIn groups, or even local meetups where compliance pros hang out. You never know who might drop a job opportunity your way!
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye out for compliance and risk management conferences and workshops in your area. These events are a goldmine for networking, and they often have job boards or recruiters on-site looking for new talent. Plus, it’s a chance to learn what's trending in the field.
✨Leverage Your University Career Services
If you’ve recently graduated or are still studying, head over to your university's career services. Many companies, including those in compliance, actively recruit fresh talent through these services, so make sure you tap into that resource.
✨Showcase Your Knowledge Online
Start writing articles or blog posts about compliance topics that interest you. Share them on platforms like LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and passion. This not only builds your presence in the field but can also catch the attention of companies like Lorum looking for candidates who are engaged and informed.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Compliance - UAE
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Understanding of Compliance:In the compliance-risk field, it's super important to showcase your understanding of regulations and risk management frameworks. Highlight any relevant coursework, certifications (like ICA or AML), or even projects that demonstrate your knowledge and commitment to this area. We want to see how you can navigate this complex landscape!
Quantify Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, try to quantify your achievements. For example, if you've previously worked on a project that improved compliance metrics or reduced risk exposure, give us the numbers! This data-driven approach really stands out to hiring managers in compliance-risk roles.
Tailor Your CV to Reflect Relevant Skills:Make sure your CV highlights skills that are particularly relevant to compliance, like attention to detail, analytical thinking, and report writing. Ensure these are easy to spot – consider using bullet points to break down your responsibilities and achievements for maximum impact!
Craft a Motivating Cover Letter:In your cover letter, let us know why you’re excited about the compliance-risk role at Lorum. Share what motivates you about compliance, and how you believe you can contribute to our mission. This is your chance to showcase not only your skills but also your passion for this important field!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lorum
✨Master the Regulations
Brush up on key compliance regulations relevant to the industry you're applying to. Familiarising yourself with specific laws and frameworks used in your field will give you an edge during technical questions. Show that you’re not just aware of them but can also apply them—think real-life scenarios!
✨Show Your Analytical Skills
Compliance roles really focus on analytical skills, so be prepared for case studies or situational questions during the interview. We've got to demonstrate how we approach risk assessments or compliance audits, possibly drawing on examples from past experiences or university projects. Bring some thoughtful case scenarios to discuss!
✨Know Your Tools
Get comfortable with commonly used compliance software and tools. Familiarity with platforms like RSA or MetricStream can really impress during your interview, as it shows you're ready to hit the ground running. If you’ve had any experience with them, make sure to highlight that!
✨Align with Company Culture
Since it's a full-time position, show your long-term commitment and interest in the company’s mission and values. Dive into how your ethics and professional philosophy align with Lorum’s stance on compliance. A shared vision can really resonate with interviewers looking for fit as much as skill!
