Head of Compliance & MLRO

Hiring company: Confidential Source: LinkedIn Bahamas The Head of Compliance & MLRO will be responsible for managing and maintaining an effective regulatory compliance and AML framework in a licensed securities brokerage firm, ensuring alignment with applicable Bahamian regulations related to financial services, anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF). Scope of job • Develop, implement, and continuously enhance the company's compliance framework to align with business strategy, regulatory obligations (Securities Commission of The Bahamas, Financial Intelligence Unit) and corporate values. • Act as the company's registered Compliance Officer before the Securities Commission of The Bahamas (SCB), with oversight of AML/CFT frameworks and sanctions compliance. • Act as the firm's designated Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO), receiving and reviewing internal suspicious activity disclosures from staff and determining whether to file Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) with the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), serving as the firm's primary point of contact with the FIU on such matters. • Oversee the company's AML/CFT program, including client onboarding, transaction monitoring, sanctions screening, and suspicious activity reporting, in accordance with the Financial Transactions Reporting Act (FTRA), AML/CFT Regulations, and international standards. • Lead the identification, investigation, and escalation of financial crime risks — including fraud, bribery, corruption, and sanctions evasion — ensuring typologies specific to securities brokerage are reflected in the firm's risk assessments and controls. • Design and maintain robust internal control systems to detect, prevent, and respond to compliance issues. Ensure ongoing monitoring and regular review of policies, incidents, and regulatory updates. • Support the development and execution of crisis response and business continuity protocols to safeguard client and business interests in critical situations. • Ensure all client-facing materials and communications adhere to SCB regulatory guidelines and reflect the company's ethical and legal standards. • Ensure all local regulatory requirements under the Securities Industry Act, 2011, FTRA, and related AML/CFT Regulations are met, aligning operational aspects to internal group policies and standards. • Provide training, guidance, and resources to staff on compliance topics, including internal escalation procedures for suspicious activity. Ensure that all departments are informed and aligned with regulatory expectations and internal policies. • Deliver regular updates to the executive team and Board of Directors on compliance performance, regulatory developments, and mitigation measures. Candidate Profile • Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as Law, Finance, Economics, Business, etc. • Minimum of 10 years of experience in compliance or regulatory affairs within financial services, preferably in capital markets and securities brokerage. • Demonstrated subject-matter expertise in financial crime prevention, including fraud typologies, market abuse detection, and broader economic crime risks beyond AML/CTF, with the ability to translate this into practical controls for a securities brokerage environment. • Strong understanding of the Securities Industry Act, 2011, SCB rules and guidelines, the Financial Transactions Reporting Act, and the Bahamas AML/CFT/PF regulatory framework. • Must meet the fit and proper criteria set by the Securities Commission of The Bahamas and be eligible for registration as Compliance Officer with the Commission. • Must be eligible to be notified to and accepted by the Financial Intelligence Unit as the firm's MLRO. • Demonstrated ability to liaise with the SCB and FIU and handle regulatory reporting, including STR filing. • High level of integrity, accountability, initiative, and collaboration. • Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic and global environment. • This company operates on a confidential basis at this stage of the search; the identity of the hiring organization and further details will be disclosed to shortlisted candidates as the process progresses. • *Please note that we will be reaching out only to candidates whose profiles are considered potentially relevant to this role.