Compliance Officer | UAE

Who we are is what we do.

Deel is the all-in-one payroll and HR platform for global teams. Our vision is to unlock global opportunity for every person, team, and business. Built for the way the world works today, Deel combines HRIS, payroll, compliance, benefits, performance, and equipment management into one seamless platform. With AI-powered tools and a fully owned payroll infrastructure, Deel supports every worker type in 150+ countries—helping businesses scale smarter, faster, and more compliantly.

Among the largest globally distributed companies in the world, our team of 7,000 spans more than 100 countries, speaks 74 languages, and brings a connected and dynamic culture that drives continuous learning and innovation for our customers.

Why should you be part of our success story?

As the fastest-growing Software as a Service (SaaS) company in history, Deel is transforming how global talent connects with world-class companies – breaking down borders that have traditionally limited both hiring and career opportunities. We're not just building software; we're creating the infrastructure for the future of work, enabling a more diverse and inclusive global economy. In 2024 alone, we paid $11.2 billion to workers in nearly 100 currencies and provided healthcare and benefits to workers in 109 countries—ensuring people get paid and protected, no matter where they are.

Our momentum is reflected in our achievements and customer satisfaction: CNBC Disruptor 50,  Forbes Cloud 100, Deloitte Fast 500, and repeated recognition on Y Combinator’s top companies list – all while maintaining a 4.83 average rating from 15,000 reviews across G2, Trustpilot, Captera, Apple and Google.

Your experience at Deel will be a career accelerator. At the forefront of the global work revolution, you'll tackle complex challenges that impact millions of people's working lives. With our momentum—backed by a $17.3 billion valuation and $1 B in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) in just over five years—you'll drive meaningful impact while building expertise that makes you a sought-after leader in the transformation of global work.

Summary

We are seeking a dedicated Compliance Officer to lead our regulatory efforts in the UAE. You will serve as the primary liaison with local regulators, ensuring that our operations adhere to the highest standards of financial integrity. This role requires a blend of technical expertise in AML/CTF, hands-on operational management, and a deep understanding of the unique UAE regulatory landscape.

Responsibilities

• Regulatory Management: Act as the key point of contact with local regulators and be the point of contact to address first-level regulator, client, and management queries in respect to AML and Payment Services Licenses.
• Program Development: Develop, implement, and monitor AML, KYC, and Sanctions programs specifically tailored to UAE federal laws and DIFC-specific regulations.
• Operational Compliance: Execute day-to-day screening, risk rating, and Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) for clients, ensuring compliance with non-cash payment services and client money regulations.
• Due Diligence: Efficiently execute KYC, KYB, Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD), and other payment-related compliance reviews to safeguard our customers, our partners, and our business
• Reporting: Undertake and implement all required reporting to authorities, including Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) and Annual Compliance Returns, as mandated by CBUAE and DIFC.
• Risk Framework: Execute a robust risk assessment framework and client/individual risk rating, ongoing monitoring/screening, and further investigations.
• Internal Advisory: Provide expert guidance and training to staff on local compliance matters, regulatory updates, and best practices within the fintech sector.
• Policy Maintenance: Periodically review and update all Product Guides, disclosure documentation, and internal policies to ensure they meet evolving local licensing requirements.
• Audit & Governance: Work with local corporate auditors and provide regular reports for board and compliance committee meetings and liaise with senior management on escalations, positive/false positive screening results, and performing EDD to seek appropriate mitigations and sign-off.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Partner with global teams and local stakeholders (Sales, Finance, Operations) to enhance anti-fraud systems and maintain a robust AML framework.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Working with key stakeholders such as Implementation, Operations, Sales, Finance, Treasury/Banking teams and Group Compliance to execute, monitor, maintain and enhance a robust AML framework with continuous improvements.
• Enterprise Risk: Working with Group Compliance and any external consultants to derive robust Enterprise Wide Risk Assessment (EWRA) reporting and maintaining regular EWRA assessment to ensure robust and adequate AML risk framework in accordance with UAE federal laws and local licensing guidelines.
• Automation & Optimization: Manage any automation, continuous improvements and ongoing AML review, automation and improvement processes and workflows.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Professional Experience: Minimum of 2 years of experience within a Fintech or Payment Institution environment.
• Proven experience working directly with the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) and the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).
• Bachelor’s degree in Law, Finance, Business, or a related field.
• In-depth understanding of the UAE regulatory framework, particularly concerning payment services and financial crime prevention.
• Experience in MLRO role, FinCrime operations, AML compliance, or related fields, preferably within the payroll industry or financial services and payments sector.
• Highly effective communication skills, both written and verbal, high attention to detail, and strong interpersonal skills..
• Ability to drive, build and work independently. Exceptional organizational, project management, and operational skills, with a knack for creating and implementing efficient processes, ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and manage multiple initiatives simultaneously across multiple departments and geographical regions.
• Attention to detail, with the ability to work accurately in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, both independently and cross-functionally.
• Problem-solving and decision-making abilities to address issues and make sound judgments related to licensing matters.
• Entrepreneurial drive with a start-up mentality.
• Professional certificates/qualifications in compliance, AML/CFT, risk management, finance, and/or fintech or relevant certification are nice to have but not required.

Total Rewards

Our workforce deserves fair and competitive pay that meets them where they are. With scalable benefits, rewards, and perks, our total rewards programs reflect our commitment to inclusivity and access for all. 

Some things you’ll enjoy

• Stock grant opportunities dependent on your role, employment status and location
• Additional perks and benefits based on your employment status and country
• The flexibility of remote work, including optional WeWork access

At Deel, we’re an equal-opportunity employer that values diversity and positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of  race, religion, sex, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, pregnancy or maternity or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

Unless otherwise agreed, we will communicate with job applicants using Deel-specific emails, which include @deel.com and other acquired company emails like @payspace.com and @paygroup.com. You can view the most up-to-date job listings at Deel by visiting our careers page.

Deel is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to cultivating a diverse and inclusive workplace that reflects different abilities, backgrounds, beliefs, experiences, identities and perspectives.

Deel will provide accommodations on request throughout the recruitment, selection and assessment process for applicants with disabilities. If you require accommodations, please inform our Talent Acquisition Team via this link and a team member will be in touch to ensure your equal participation. If you have difficulty accessing the form, please email at recruiting@deel.com.

As part of our hiring process, we primarily rely on interviews and role-related assessments. In limited cases, we may also consider informal background information relevant to the role, in line with our privacy and fairness obligations.

This application process may utilise Automated Employment Decision Tools (AEDT) and AI systems to assist in evaluating candidates based on experience level, technical skills and qualifications. As a fully remote company, we also utilise AI-powered deepfake and fraud detection technologies to verify the authenticity of candidate identities and interactions during assessments and interviews. This processing is conducted in compliance with applicable Data Protection, AI Governance and Labour Laws. We ensure human oversight is maintained in all final hiring decisions. Your personal data is not used to train AI models. For more information on how we process your personal data, please see our Privacy Policy.

• For NYC Residents: In accordance with NYC Local Law 144, an independent bias audit has been conducted on AEDT; results are available at Ashby, Covey.