The role
The Team Lead for the Compliance Monitoring, Assurance & Testing (CMAT) team is responsible for designing and running Binance ADGM's independent, risk-based compliance monitoring and assurance programme. The role assures the Board, Senior Management and the FSRA that the firm's AML/CFT, market conduct, client-asset, and prudential controls are operating effectively and remain compliant with the ADGM Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) rulebooks and applicable UAE federal requirements.
This is a senior second-line-of-defence leadership role accountable for the disciplined testing of controls, timely escalation of findings, and evidence-based regulatory reporting that stands up to FSRA supervisory scrutiny.
Responsibilities
Compliance Monitoring & Testing Programme
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Own and maintain a risk-based annual Compliance Monitoring & Assurance Plan (CMAP), refreshed on risk assessment outcomes, FSRA thematic reviews, and changes in regulatory posture.
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Design and execute control testing across AML/CFT, sanctions, market abuse, client-asset safeguarding, complaint handling, outsourcing, and technology/cyber governance.
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Apply full-cycle assurance methodology: scoping → walkthroughs → sampling → testing → root-cause analysis → findings rating → remediation tracking → closure validation.
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Deliver thematic deep-dives aligned to FSRA supervisory priorities (e.g., transaction monitoring effectiveness, Travel Rule compliance, EDD for high-risk clients, market abuse surveillance).
Regulatory Alignment (FSRA)
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Ensure monitoring activities map to the FSRA AML/CFT Rulebook, Conduct of Business (COBS), General (GEN), Prudential (PRU), and Virtual Asset framework obligations.
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Support the Compliance Officer and MLRO in demonstrating effective oversight under FSRA's risk-based supervision model.
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Maintain evidence trails that satisfy FSRA information requests, on-site inspections, and thematic reviews.
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Monitor regulatory change (FSRA consultations, ADGM notices, UAE Federal Decree-Law 20/2018 and its Executive Regulations, MoE/EO AML guidance) and reflect updates in the plan.
Findings, Reporting & Escalation
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Produce clear, board-ready assurance reports with quantified findings, severity ratings, and management action plans.
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Operate a robust issue-management and remediation-tracking framework with escalation protocols for overdue or high-risk items.
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Present monitoring results to Risk Committees, Compliance Committees, and where required the Board/Audit Committee.
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Liaise with Internal Audit and external auditors to ensure complementary (non-duplicative) coverage.
AML/CFT & Financial Crime Assurance
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Test the effectiveness of CDD/EDD, KYC onboarding, periodic review, PEP/sanctions screening, transaction monitoring, and SAR/STR escalation processes.
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Assess suspicious activity identification and reporting effectiveness, including FIU-UAE submission quality.
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Verify Targeted Financial Sanctions (TFS) and asset-freeze controls.
Leadership & Team Management
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Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing assurance team — setting testing standards, quality review, and coaching.
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Foster a culture of challenge, professional scepticism, and integrity, consistent with SMCR conduct expectations.
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Manage resource allocation against the CMAP and ensure delivery within agreed SLAs.
Governance & Continuous Improvement
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Maintain CMAT policies, methodologies, and documentation to an auditable standard.
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Drive automation and data analytics to strengthen monitoring coverage and efficiency.
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Embed lessons learned into first- and second-line processes and training.
Requirements
Essential
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7–10+ years in compliance, assurance, internal audit, or regulatory supervision within financial services, fintech, preferably within crypto/VASP environments.
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3+ years leading teams or workstreams in a second-line or audit function.
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Strong working knowledge of ADGM FSRA rulebooks and the UAE AML/CFT landscape; comparable MAS, HKMA, FCA, or DIFC/DFSA experience will be considered.
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Proven track record designing and executing risk-based compliance monitoring/testing programmes.
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Depth in AML/CFT, sanctions, and financial-crime control testing.
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Excellent written and verbal English; strong report-writing and stakeholder-presentation skills.
Desirable
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CAMS, CGSS, CRMA, CIA, ACCA/ACA, ICA, or equivalent certification
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Prior experience in a regulated crypto/VASP or high-growth fintech.
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Data analytics, SQL, or audit-automation tooling skills.
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Arabic language proficiency (advantageous, not required).