Head of Financial Crime Compliance & MLRO

About the role

The Head of Financial Crime Compliance & MLRO leads the bank’s anti‑money‑laundering, counter‑terrorist financing and proliferation financing framework, ensuring full compliance with Mauritian regulations and international standards. The role reports directly to senior governance bodies and acts as the independent authority for suspicious transaction reporting.

Key responsibilities

• Develop, maintain and enhance the bank’s AML/CFT/CPF framework and lead the annual compliance strategy.
• Serve as the designated Money Laundering Reporting Officer, receive, assess and report suspicious activity to the Financial Intelligence Unit while preserving confidentiality.
• Lead enterprise‑wide financial crime risk assessments, identify emerging risks and ensure appropriate mitigation measures.
• Oversee customer due diligence, enhanced due diligence, sanctions screening, transaction monitoring and adverse media controls.
• Provide expert advice to the Board, management committees and business units on AML/CFT obligations and emerging regulatory expectations.
• Act as the primary liaison with the Bank of Mauritius, FIU, auditors and other regulatory authorities, managing inspections and remediation programmes.

Required profile

• 8‑10 years of experience in compliance, AML/CFT or financial crime risk within banking or financial services.
• Bachelor’s degree in Law, Risk Management, Finance, Business, Accounting or a related discipline; professional AML qualification (e.g., ACAMS) preferred.
• Proven track record of engaging with regulators and managing AML frameworks in a regulated institution.

Required skills

• Deep knowledge of Mauritius FIAMLA/FIAML regulations and Bank of Mauritius AML/CFT/CPF guidelines.
• Familiarity with FATF recommendations, sanctions management, and customer due‑diligence procedures.