Corporate Setup & Compliance Specialist

About the Role

We are looking for an execution-driven Corporate Setup & Compliance Specialist with deep expertise in UAE and multi-jurisdictional GCC corporate structuring. In this role, you will own the end-to-end client lifecycle, navigating complex entity formations, managing rigorous AML/KYC frameworks, orchestrating corporate bank account openings, and maintaining multi-jurisdictional compliance calendars.

If you are a detail oriented professional who excels at bridging government liaison, corporate law, and banking operations to deliver seamless client onboarding, we want to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities

1. Entity Formation & Corporate Actions

• Company Onboarding: Manage the end-to-end incorporation process for Free Zone, Mainland, and Offshore structures (FZE, FZC, LLC).
• Licensing & Document Management: Prepare and process Memorandums of Association (MOA), Articles of Incorporation, corporate resolutions, and trade license applications.
• Governance Support: Administer ongoing corporate updates, including renewals, statutory updates, share transfers, director appointments, and corporate liquidations.

2. Corporate Bank Account Opening & Banking Advisory

• Banking Advisory: Assess client corporate profiles and match them with suitable regional and digital banks.
• KYC & Onboarding Execution: Prepare, pre-vet, and manage complex corporate bank account applications, ensuring all Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) documentation meets strict compliance rules.
• Bank Liaison: Coordinate directly with relationship managers and compliance officers to clear background checks, resolve source-of-wealth inquiries, and drive applications through to completion.

3. Compliance, AML & Risk Operations

• Risk Screening: Conduct primary screening for Ultimate Beneficial Owners (UBOs), politically exposed persons (PEPs), and institutional clients.
• AML Framework Adherence: Ensure all setup and operational procedures align directly with free zone frameworks (such as ADGM and DIFC CSP frameworks) and federal compliance laws.
• Compliance Calendar Management: Establish, monitor, and maintain a rigorous multi-jurisdictional Corporate Compliance Calendar to track recurring filing and statutory deadlines (trade license renewals, Commercial Registration updates, corporate tax, VAT, and audited financial statements).
• Regulatory Filings: Manage structural compliance deadlines across the GCC, including UBO updates, Economic Substance Regulations (ESR) declarations, and AML reporting.
• Client Proactive Alerts: Issue timely compliance alerts to clients to minimize the risk of administrative fines, license suspensions, or operational penalties.

4. Stakeholder & Authority Liaison

• Government Interface: Coordinate directly with commercial registries (e.g., DET, DMCC, ADGM RA, RAKEZ) and labor/immigration departments.
• Partner Coordination: Guide clients through secondary operational steps, including corporate banking introductions and visa/PRO allocations.
Experience: Minimum of 4–6 years of direct corporate service provider (CSP) or business setup experience in the UAE.

Jurisdiction Expertise: Strong technical knowledge of UAE processes, portals (e.g., UAE Pass, smart apps, DET, DED), and Free Zone registries.

Regional Structuring: Familiarity with corporate structures across the GCC, including UAE (Mainland & Free Zones), Saudi Arabia (MISA/SAGIA setups), Qatar (QFC/LLCs), and Bahrain.

Banking & Compliance Literacy: Practical understanding of UAE AML/KYC frameworks, corporate law, and end-to-end bank account opening navigation.

Execution Skills: Proven track record in managing name reservations, initial approvals, commercial registrations, lease coordination, and localized document drafting.