Regulatory Consultant Team Lead (Hatch Advisory)

This position is employed by Hatch. We are assisting Hatch with the recruitment process and are not the hiring entity.

Hatch Advisory Services Ltd ("Hatch") is an Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) based advisory firm dedicated to supporting international financial services businesses seeking to establish, expand, and operate successfully within the United Arab Emirates.

We provide strategic advisory, market entry, regulatory navigation, and operational support services to overseas firms entering the UAE financial services ecosystem. Our clients include investment managers, fintech firms, financial institutions, family offices, and other financial services businesses seeking access to one of the world's most dynamic and rapidly growing financial markets.

At Hatch, we believe that successful market entry requires more than regulatory knowledge. It requires a deep understanding of local business practices, stakeholder engagement, strategic planning, and practical execution. We work alongside our clients throughout their journey, helping them navigate complexity, identify opportunities, and build sustainable businesses in the region.

Responsibilities:

Regulatory Advisory & Client Engagement

• Provide regulatory advice to clients in the UAE’s financial sector through license applications and ongoing operations such as inspections or thematic reviews.
• Interpret and apply UAE regulatory frameworks (DFSA and FSRA) within a common law / English-law–based regulatory environment.
• Work closely with client stakeholders to develop and implement or enhance compliance and AML/CFT frameworks and operational controls.

Outsourced Compliance & MLRO Responsibilities

• Act as outsourced Compliance Officer and/or MLRO for designated clients.
• Oversee clients’ AML/CFT processes, onboarding, surveillance, risk assessments, periodic filings, and regulatory reporting.
• Lead investigations, SAR submissions both internally and to the UAE FIU, remediation activities, and regulator correspondence.
• Ensure clients maintain robust, risk-based control environments aligned with UAE expectations.

Governance & Senior Leadership Interaction

• Prepare and present compliance reports, control assessments, and thematic reviews to client Boards and senior management.
• Provide clear interpretation of regulatory obligations and practical, risk-based recommendations to further business objectives while remaining in compliance.
• Represent the firm in high-stakes meetings with clients and regulators.

Team Leadership & Internal Development

• Mentor and supervise junior consultants and analysts.
• Write internal playbooks, methodologies, and best practices for outsourced compliance and MLRO services.

• Role is based in Malaysia but supports clients located in the UAE.
• Candidates should be willing and able to travel for approximately 30% of their time, with flexibility to reach ~50% during intensive engagement periods.
• Travel is typically short-duration and focused on high-value onsite work (walkthroughs, meetings, inspections).
• The role offers strong exposure to UAE operational environments without requiring relocation.

Preferred Background

8–12 years’ experience in:

• A regulatory authority (supervision, authorisation, AML/CFT or policy development in the capital markets or virtual assets space), or
• A capital markets or virtual assets firm in compliance or AML/CFT.
• Direct experience with achieving compliance under common law / English-law–based regulatory frameworks (e.g. Singapore, UK, Hong Kong); exposure to UAE regulatory regimes is a plus.
• Proven experience presenting to senior management and boards.
• Prior managerial or team leadership experience
• Excellent communication, analytical, and stakeholder management skills.
• Self-motivated, adaptable, and able to manage multiple concurrent engagements independently