SVP - Regulatory Services Operations - AML

SVP - Regulatory Services Operations - AML

Position: Senior Vice President - Regulatory Services Operations, AML

Location: Dubai (Hybrid)

The Maples Group is a global leader in financial services, trusted by many of the world’s largest hedge fund managers, private equity firms, and international corporations. Our side‑by‑side financial and legal teams consistently deliver award‑winning services to a global client base, offering unrivalled learning and career opportunities to our 2,500+ colleagues worldwide.

We are driven to excel, and collaboration is key to our continued success. We can go further for our clients because we go further for each other too. Our inclusive culture creates an environment where people can be themselves at work while doing their best work. No matter where you work in the Maples Group, you will be part of a global team.

Established in 2008, our Dubai office is the Maples Group’s regional operating hub in the Middle East. A commitment to service excellence and investment in our people has led to continued growth where our teammates deliver best‑in‑class solutions to clients worldwide, alongside our colleagues in legal services.

We are looking for an accomplished compliance professional to lead our client‑facing Middle East Compliance Services team.

The Maples Group is among the top fund administrators and company service providers in the Middle East with offices in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Abu Dhabi Global Markets (ADGM).

Our clients, who often hold Category 3C asset management licenses in these jurisdictions, look to the Maples Group to provide full‑service, turnkey administration and fiduciary solutions to them and their investment funds.

As the lead of the Middle East Compliance Services team, you will primarily:

• Act as Compliance Officer and/or Money Laundering Reporting Officer for our client entities
• Develop and maintain prudential, conduct and anti‑financial crime compliance policies, procedures, systems, and controls for our clients
• Create a compliance monitoring and testing programme (risk assurance) and ensure effective testing is undertaken for relevant client entities; with findings reported to the management and boards including tracking to conclusion any non‑compliance matters that may be identified
• Support Customer Due Diligence and Know Your Customer processes
• Act as liaison between our clients and their regulatory authorities and financial intelligence units on all relevant matters
• Manage clients’ regulatory reporting obligations
• Assist clients in navigating regulatory licensing and authorisations processes as it relates to policies, procedures, and related documents
• Track changes to legislation and regulation as it may impact the client entities and provide guidance as to changes required
• Prepare and ensure relevant Compliance, Conduct and Financial Crime training is delivered to staff of client entities and client board members
• This role will report to the board of the client entities and internally will report to the Head of Regulatory Services

In addition to indisputably high ethical standards and autonomy, the ideal candidate possesses the following:

• 7‑10 years’ experience in financial services as the nominated lead Compliance Officer/MLRO or consultant, specifically with funds management, asset management, and/or fund administration experience
• Extensive knowledge of the relevant regulations in the UAE, including the DIFC and ADGM, and international AML laws
• Relevant professional qualifications (e.g., AML, CDD, Compliance Risk, or equivalent)
• Experience in customer due diligence (CDD/KYC) on various international corporate structures and risk profiles
• Excellent communication and organisational skills noting that English is the main language of the firm
• Experienced leader able to develop team members
• Motivated, driven and a team player
• Possesses good attention to detail and can manage time effectively
• Solutions‑driven critical thinking, with the ability to adapt to change

The most enduring professional relationships are reciprocal relationships. The Maples Group…