MLRO & Compliance Officer

About Verto

At Verto, we're on a mission to democratise global finance and empower businesses in Emerging Markets to reach the world. Founded by British-Nigerian entrepreneurs Ola Oyetayo and Anthony Oduu, our roots in Africa provided a firsthand understanding of the significant challenges businesses face with cross-border payments, ranging from illiquid currencies and high fees to slow transactions. This deep-rooted insight is why Africa remains a core focus, as we're committed to bridging the gap between emerging and developed markets and fostering global economic growth.

What started as an FX solution for the Nigerian Naira has evolved into a market-leading platform, enabling thousands of businesses to seamlessly transfer billions of dollars annually. We believe that where you do business shouldn’t determine your success or ability to scale. We're creating equal access to the easy payment and liquidity solutions that are already a given in developed markets.

We're not alone in realising this crucial need; we're backed by world-class investors including Y-Combinator, Quona, and MEVP. With Verto receiving the Milken-Motsepe Prize, appearing on CNBCs list of fastest growing UK companies, the Deloitte Fast 50 and Sifted’s fastest-growing UK tech companies, we are building a seamless cross-border payment future.

Join us as we continue to grow and transform global finance.

Role Overview

We are seeking a highly experienced and strategic MLRO & Compliance Officer to oversee our AML, CTF, sanctions, and broader regulatory framework within the DIFC. Reporting administratively to the Senior Executive Officer and functionally to the Group MLRO and Head of Compliance (with direct reporting obligations to the Board), you will act as the primary regulatory liaison with the DFSA and the FIU. This is a critical leadership position where you will build and mentor the local compliance function, advise senior management on regulatory strategy, and ensure we maintain a robust, UAE-aligned compliance culture as we scale.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Act as the primary regulatory liaison with the DFSA and FIU, taking full responsibility for submitting Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) and Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) via the goAML portal.

• Assess internal reports of unusual transactions, determine reasonable grounds for suspicion, and escalate matters to the UAE FIU in accordance with applicable legislation.

• Maintain, update, and enforce AML/CFT policies to ensure the robust implementation of KYC, CDD, EDD, transaction monitoring, sanctions screening, and record-keeping procedures.

• Maintain and periodically update the company’s Enterprise-Wide Risk Assessment (EWRA), ensuring strict alignment with the UAE’s National Risk Assessment findings.

• Prepare and present comprehensive AML/CFT reports, including periodic compliance updates and an Annual MLRO Report outlining financial crime risks, regulatory developments, and remediation efforts.

• Ensure the UAE entity remains strictly compliant with all licensing conditions imposed by the DFSA, CBUAE, and any other relevant UAE regulatory authorities.

• Develop, review, and enhance compliance policies, procedures, and manuals to ensure they are aligned with UAE laws and regulatory expectations.

• Act as the primary escalation point for compliance matters and advise senior management on the regulatory implications of new products, technologies, outsourcing, and cross-border activities.

• Ensure the timely and highly accurate submission of all required regulatory reports, notifications, and returns to the DFSA, CBUAE, and/or relevant authorities.

• Design and deliver targeted AML/CFT and compliance training for employees and Board members to embed a strong, organisation-wide compliance culture.

• Build, mentor, and oversee a competent local compliance team, ensuring their ongoing professional development and regulatory awareness.

What You Need

• Must meet the UAE “fit and proper” requirements and apply for and hold Authorised Individual status with the DFSA, CBUAE, or relevant UAE authority as a Compliance Officer and MLRO.

• Must be resident in the UAE and legally authorised to work in the country, with a physical presence in Dubai required for regulatory engagement.

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a similar MLRO, AML/CFT, or senior regulatory compliance role within the UAE or GCC.

• Deep, working knowledge of UAE AML/CFT legislation, CBUAE regulations, the DFSA Rulebook, DIFC legislation, sanctions frameworks, and international FATF standards.

• Bachelor’s degree in Law, Compliance, Finance, Accounting, Business, or a closely related field.

• Demonstrated experience in building, mentoring, and managing high-performing compliance functions and teams.

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the proven ability to present complex regulatory matters clearly to the Board, regulators, and external stakeholders.

• Strict attention to detail and the ability to operate under pressure to meet tight regulatory deadlines for filings and STR/SAR submissions.

Best If You Have

• Direct experience working within the Payments, EMI, PSP, or high-growth FinTech sectors.

• A recognised professional AML or Compliance qualification, such as an ACAMS certification or an ICA Diploma.

Life At Verto

Perks

• Insurance paid by the company

• Health and wellness benefits (with specific added benefits depending on the location of the role)

• Yearly salary review based on inflation, personal and business performance

• Access to entire Udemy’s library

• Budget for professional development courses

• Work-From-Anywhere policy for certain durations

• Integration programme (opportunity to work from our global offices)

• Regular team social events

• Pension scheme (depending on the role location)

• Flexible work arrangements

• Exposure to work with globally distributed teams

• Location specific benefits like car lease policy, cycle to work, gym membership, etc.

You’ll Fit Right In If You

• Love asking “why?”

• Value solving problems over just completing tasks

• Understand sync vs. async communication practices

• Thrive in ambiguity and change

• Actively seek feedback

• Prioritise impact over activity

• Are fun to work with - we love good humour!

Culture

• Mission-Driven Impact Work: Be at the forefront of simplifying cross-border payments, directly contributing to a borderless future for global businesses, particularly in emerging markets.

• High Performance & Ownership: We empower you to take risks, be results-driven, and take ownership. Act fast, deliver impactful results, and make the impossible possible. We set you up for success.

• Collaborative & Supportive Environment: We work "as one," sharing successes and failures openly. We foster a transparent, supportive atmosphere where everyone does their best. A community of colleagues from varied backgrounds, who care deeply about their craft, collaborate with purpose, and enjoy the journey together.

• Industry Competitive Compensation & Benefits: We compensate our employees in recognition of the great value they bring to the business; our compensation and benefits package are competitive in the industry across all our geographies. This includes performance based salary reviews, comprehensive health and wellness benefits, generous paid time off and flexible working arrangements to support your career and life.

• Our Core Values: Our core values mirror the focus we have, energy we bring to work and shared expectations within the team.

  • Champion the Mission: We are driven by curiosity and belief to solve cross-border payments pain points globally.

  • Be the Best: We are open, take appropriate risks, adopt a results-driven approach, and are the best at what we do.

  • Work as One: We are transparent with sharing failures and mistakes as well as successes.

  • Go the Extra Mile: We deliver beyond what is possible. We make impossible possible.

  • Customer First: We are creative in solving existing problems and bold in designing a new and better experience for customers.

  • Run with It: We are determined, seek challenges, take ownership of tasks, act fast and deliver results.

Diversity & Inclusion at Verto

Verto is an equal opportunities employer and we value diversity. Anyone seeking employment at Verto is considered based on Merit, Competence, Qualifications and their Talent. We are proud to be a truly international team and we do not discriminate in our hiring process.