Head of Risk and Compliance

We are seeking a Head of Risk and Compliance to build and lead the company’s end-to-end governance framework across Risk, Compliance, and Data Protection. This is a high-impact, board-facing role where you will establish robust frameworks, ensuring regulatory alignment, strong risk oversight, and best-in-class data protection practices as the business scales.Key ResponsibilitiesComplianceLead and evolve the firm’s regulatory compliance framework in line with VARA requirementsMonitor regulatory developmentsacross VARA, CBUAE, and SCADrive the compliance monitoring programme, including control testingEnsure timely and accurate regulatory reportingOversee third-party compliance and outsourcing frameworksAct as the primary liaison with regulators on non-AML mattersAdvise senior leadership and the Board on regulatory risk and obligationsManage registers (conflicts of interest, insider trading) and coordinate auditsRiskDesign and own the Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) frameworkLead enterprise-wide risk assessments and maintain the risk registerDeliver Board-level reporting on risk exposure, appetite, and emerging risksOversee operational risks across technology, credit, market, and liquidityMonitor KRIs and elevate key issues to senior stakeholdersData ProtectionEnsure compliance with UAE data protection laws and VARA requirementsManage data processing registers and conduct DPIAs for new initiativesOversee data subject requests and breach notification processesAdvise on data governance, consent, and cross-border data transfersPartner with the CISO on security-related data protection mattersCandidate RequirementsProven experience in risk, compliance, or regulatory roles within financial services, fintech, or digital assetsStrong understanding of UAE regulatory landscape with VARA exposureExperience building frameworks in a growing or evolving organisationConfident operating at Board and senior management levelAbility to balance strategic oversight with hands-on execution#J-18808-Ljbffr