UAE Chief Risk Officer and Compliance and Money Laundering Reporting Officer (CRO/COMLRO)

From the company's job description

Who we are

About Stripe

Stripe is a financial infrastructure platform for businesses. Millions of companies—from the world’s largest enterprises to the most ambitious startups—use Stripe to accept payments, grow their revenue, and accelerate new business opportunities. Our mission is to increase the GDP of the internet, and we have a staggering amount of work ahead. That means you have an unprecedented opportunity to put the global economy within everyone’s reach while doing the most important work of your career.

What you'll do

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership —Develop and implement a robust AML/CFT compliance strategy across our UAE regulated retail payment services and stored value facility entities, aligned with global FinCRO objectives. Leverage AI, data science, and automation to scale the program. Provide regular reporting to UAE Boards and Senior Management on program health and effectiveness.

• AML/CFT Program Oversight —Own and continuously enhance our AML/CFT program, ensuring it effectively prevents, detects, and reports money laundering, terrorist financing, proliferation financing, and other financial crimes in line with Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2018, Cabinet Decision No. 10 of 2019, and CBUAE's AML/CFT Standards, Retail Payment Services and Card Scheme Regulations, and Stored Value Facilities Regulations Framework.

• Regulatory Compliance —Ensure ongoing compliance with all applicable CBUAE licensing conditions, payment services regulations, and broader UAE financial services laws across both entities. Monitor the regulatory environment for changes, assess business impact, and drive timely implementation of compliance obligations. Maintain a regulatory obligations register and own the internal compliance assurance framework.

• Regulatory Management and Reporting —Serve as the primary point of contact for the CBUAE and UAE Financial Intelligence Unit (UAEFIU) for all inspections, inquiries, and examinations. Own the end-to-end STR/SAR process via the goAML platform and all other mandatory regulatory submissions.

• Sanctions Compliance —Oversee UAE sanctions compliance across both entities, including screening against the UAE Local Terrorist List, UN Security Council Consolidated List, and applicable international regimes (OFAC, EU, and UK).

• SVF and PSP Risk Management —Design and maintain AML/CFT risk frameworks tailored to the distinct risk profiles of both license types—including high-volume payment flows (PSP) and e-wallet abuse, prepaid instrument layering, and anonymous loading risks (SVF). Ensure transaction monitoring typologies are appropriately calibrated across both product sets.

• Advisory and External Influence —Provide expert AML/CFT and regulatory compliance guidance to product, engineering, and business teams on new products and market expansion. Represent Stripe in external forums, regulatory consultations, and industry groups across the UAE and GCC.

• Training and Culture —Champion a strong compliance culture across UAE teams. Oversee delivery of UAE-regulatory-compliant training programs covering PSP and SVF-specific risks.

Who you are

Minimum requirements

• Experience —10+ years in financial crime or regulatory compliance, with significant focus on fintech, payments, e-money, or stored value products. Prior experience as a designated Chief Risk Officer or Compliance Officer or MLRO or Deputy MLRO under a CBUAE-regulated or comparable GCC-regulated entity preferred.

• Regulatory Knowledge —Deep knowledge of UAE AML/CFT laws (Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2018, Cabinet Decision No. 10 of 2019), CBUAE AML/CFT Standards, PSP and SVF regulatory frameworks, and relevant FATF Recommendations. Familiarity with broader UAE financial services regulation and licensing requirements.

• Fit and Proper —Must satisfy CBUAE fit and proper requirements and be willing to undergo formal regulatory approval prior to commencement.

• Communication and Mindset —Strong ability to articulate complex regulatory concepts to technical and non-technical audiences. Able to translate regulatory requirements into practical, scalable compliance solutions in a high-growth environment.

• Data Proficiency —High data literacy, with the ability to work closely with data and engineering teams to identify emerging financial crime patterns and validate detection model effectiveness.

• Certifications —CAMS, ICA International Diploma in AML, or equivalent preferred.

• Languages —High professional fluency in English is required. Arabic fluency is an advantage.

• Location —Hybrid-office based, Dubai.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience in a global, matrixed fintech organization across multiple jurisdictions • Existing relationships with CBUAE and UAEFIU officials • Familiarity with the UAE's Financial Infrastructure Transformation programme and its AML/CFT implications • Experience designing AML/CFT and regulatory compliance controls for high-volume payment and stored value products at scale