Compliance Officer / MLRO - Vice President

About this role

Business Unit Overview:

BlackRock's Compliance Department protects BlackRock’s reputation and provides client focussed advice.  The department is a dynamic environment with the team focused understanding and advising on the impact of regulation in our business, with the objective of:

• Actively participating in business decisions to champion our clients’ interests and assist the business in translating compliance requirements and expectations into their daily work.
• Putting client interests at the centre of everything we do.
• Ensuring adherence to, and providing advice on, applicable laws, regulations, and BlackRock Compliance policies.
• Collaborating with the business to position Compliance centrally into their daily work.
• Encouraging and improving the compliance culture within BlackRock.
• Providing thought leadership, analysis, and advice on the impact of the regulatory framework on the business and its clients
• Developing and encouraging excellence within the Compliance team; and
• Actively developing the skills and careers of each member of the Compliance team.

Role Description:

A new and exciting opportunity has arisen to join BlackRock’s EMEA Compliance Advisory team based. The role will be based in Abu Dhabi and the individual will be both the registered CCO and MLRO for a new BlackRock entity to be established in the ADGM. The role will complement an existing team of expert compliance professionals based across EMEA and will report to the Middle East Head of Compliance with additional matrix reporting to the EMEA Head of Financial Crime. Our ideal candidate will have at least six years of relevant experience within a leading investment/fund manager and will have gained expertise in investment compliance, AML/CTF requirements, mutual fund regulation, institutional client business and 3rd party distribution. Experience with regulatory obligations across the broader MENA region will be a distinct advantage.

The successful candidate will exhibit strong partnership and relationship management skills. The strength of character to offer healthy challenge will be essential, as will be the ability to engage successfully with stakeholders at all levels of the business. A highly motivated self-starter, the successful candidate will demonstrate sound judgment, excellent technical and regulatory knowledge, a strong team ethic, combined with high energy, enthusiasm, resilience, tenacity, diplomacy and relationship management skills.

Key Responsibilities:

• Supporting the compliance team with regulatory reporting, ensuring that all regulatory returns and ad hoc notifications have been submitted to the SCA/ FSRA and all applicable regulatory authorities on a timely basis.
• Advising the business on all aspects of investment compliance, ensuring that local frameworks are developed in line with FSRA regulatory expectations and the wider BlackRock global regulatory framework.
• Assisting and advising senior management in identifying and mitigating the compliance risks facing the Firm and designing and implementing policies, procedures, systems and controls that will enable the Firm to comply with the legislation in the UAE and in particular the FSRA.
• Reviewing and approval of advertising and marketing materials for distribution in the Middle East region. This will involve having a detailed understanding of marketing rules as well as digital marketing.
• Be the senior point of contact with regulators and maintain positive relations with external stakeholders.
• Establishing and maintaining an appropriate money laundering training program and adequate awareness arrangements for all relevant employees and conduct ad-hoc focused training on specific regulatory compliance matters.
• Timely escalation of regulatory matters to the Middle East Head of Compliance.
• Reviewing and enhancement of compliance controls promoting a strong compliance culture through reviews, guidance, advice and stakeholder engagement.
• Establishing and maintaining the firms’ files and registers in relation to controllers; senior management apportionment; authorised individuals; breaches; complaints; conflicts identification and management, marketing materials; clients, regulatory returns and notifications to the FSRA and SCA.
• Responsibility for compliance with the UAE and FSRA AML rules and any relevant anti-money laundering legislation.
• Establish and maintain anti-money laundering policies, procedures, systems and controls and compliance with anti-money laundering legislation applicable in the FSRA and UAE Federal authorities.
• Contributing to the creation of management reporting and communication on Compliance matters to senior management, corporate and/or fund boards and BlackRock business stakeholders.
• Providing advice on the anticipation, impact assessment and response to regulatory development.
• Designing and delivering effective regulatory training initiatives to the business.

Knowledge / Experience:

• Minimum of 6-8 years’ experience in compliance.
• Experience with the FSRA or other Middle East regulators is advantageous.
• Skills/experience in investment advice, investment management and investment products.
• Excellent written and spoken English required; proficiency in Arabic a plus
• Integrity and professionalism; must be a team player
• A self-starter, with excellent organisational skills and ability to work independently to tight deadlines
• Extensive experience within a control function within the asset management industry, ideally within Compliance or Legal.
• Proven ability to influence an internal client base by delivering timely, credible, accurate and value-added advice.
• High levels of enthusiasm for supporting an innovative product development, marketing and distribution strategy.
• Highly effective written and verbal communications skills.
• Consistent ability to demonstrate high standards of professional accuracy and excellent attention to detail.
• The technical ability and mindset to deliver a solutions-driven approach and the judgment to use this in appropriate circumstances.
• Excellent organisational skills with ability to prioritise workloads, progress multiple tasks and adhere to deadlines.
• Ability to collaborate effectively both within the team and across functions.
• High degree of familiarity with regulatory environment ex-UK or a genuine desire to develop such knowledge.

Qualification:

• Significant financial services experience with a focus on regulation
• Educated to degree level, possibly with a professional qualification e.g., ACA, CFA, IMC
• Strong working knowledge of CMA Rules and other Middle East regulatory requirements
• Self-starter.  Ability to drive forward work plans under little supervision
• Collaborative team player
• Strong written/oral communication
• Ability to prioritise workloads and adhere to deadlines
• High standard of accuracy and excellent attention to detail

Our benefits

To help you stay energized, engaged and inspired, we offer a wide range of employee benefits including: retirement investment and tools designed to help you in building a sound financial future; access to education reimbursement; comprehensive resources to support your physical health and emotional well-being; family support programs; and Flexible Time Off (FTO) so you can relax, recharge and be there for the people you care about.

Our hybrid work model

BlackRock’s hybrid work model is designed to enable a culture of collaboration and apprenticeship that enriches the experience of our employees, while supporting flexibility for all. Employees are currently required to work at least 4 days in the office per week, with the flexibility to work from home 1 day a week. Some business groups may require more time in the office due to their roles and responsibilities. We remain focused on increasing the impactful moments that arise when we work together in person – aligned with our commitment to performance and innovation. As a new joiner, you can count on this hybrid model to accelerate your learning and onboarding experience here at BlackRock.

About BlackRock

At BlackRock, we are all connected by one mission: to help more and more people experience financial well-being.  Our clients, and the people they serve, are saving for retirement, paying for their children’s educations, buying homes and starting businesses. Their investments also help to strengthen the global economy: support businesses small and large; finance infrastructure projects that connect and power cities; and facilitate innovations that drive progress.

This mission would not be possible without our smartest investment – the one we make in our employees. It’s why we’re dedicated to creating an environment where our colleagues feel welcomed, valued and supported with networks, benefits and development opportunities to help them thrive.

For additional information on BlackRock, please visit @blackrock | Twitter: @blackrock | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/blackrock

BlackRock is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to age, disability, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation and other protected characteristics at law.