Head of Enterprise Risk

tabby; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 80,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dynamic fintech as the Head of Enterprise Risk, where you will shape the risk management strategy for a rapidly growing BNPL company. This role offers the opportunity to lead a comprehensive risk function, ensuring proactive identification and mitigation of risks across various business operations. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams, implement best practices, and drive compliance with UAE regulations. If you have a proven track record in risk governance and thrive in a fast-paced environment, this role is your chance to make a significant impact in the fintech landscape.

Qualifications

• 8-12 years in risk management within financial services or fintech.
• Strong understanding of UAE's regulatory landscape and CBUAE regulations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain an enterprise risk management framework.
• Oversee credit and fraud risk policies to minimize losses.

Skills

Credit Risk Management

Fraud Risk Management

Operational Risk Management

Regulatory Compliance

Data Analytics

Crisis Management

Stakeholder Management

Leadership

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Finance

Advanced certifications (FRM, PRM, CFA, CAMS)

Tools

Risk Analytics Tools

AI-driven Fraud Detection Systems

Job description

As the Head of Enterprise Risk, UAE, you will play a critical role in shaping and overseeing the risk management strategy for one of the region's fastest-growing BNPL fintechs. You will lead the enterprise-wide risk function, ensuring a proactive approach to risk identification, mitigation, and compliance across all business operations. This role requires a seasoned risk professional with deep expertise in credit risk, fraud risk, operational risk, and regulatory compliance within fintech or financial services. If you have a track record of driving risk governance in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, this role is for you.

Responsibilities

1. Risk Strategy & Framework: Develop, implement, and maintain a robust enterprise risk management framework, ensuring alignment with local UAE regulations (including the Central Bank of the UAE - CBUAE) and industry best practices.
2. Regulatory Compliance: Stay up to date with regulatory requirements and guidelines impacting fintechs in the UAE, ensuring compliance with all risk-related mandates.
3. Credit & Fraud Risk Management: Oversee credit risk policies, fraud detection frameworks, and mitigation strategies to minimize losses while supporting business growth.
4. Operational & Enterprise Risk: Identify, assess, and mitigate risks across technology, product, operations, liquidity, and other key business areas.
5. Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilize analytics and risk modeling to monitor key risk indicators, trends, and mitigation strategies, ensuring data-driven risk management practices.
6. Incident Response & Crisis Management: Lead incident response efforts, ensuring timely resolution of risk-related issues and continuous process improvements.
7. Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with product, engineering, compliance, finance, and operations teams to embed risk-conscious decision-making across the organization.
8. Stakeholder Reporting: Prepare and present risk reports to senior management and board committees, outlining key risk metrics, emerging threats, and strategic recommendations.
9. Audit & Regulatory Engagement: Coordinate internal and external audits, regulatory inspections, and risk assessments, supporting compliance initiatives with relevant authorities.
10. Risk Awareness & Training: Promote a strong risk culture within the organization through employee training, workshops, and awareness programs.
11. Process Optimization: Continuously enhance risk management frameworks using advanced risk assessment tools, automation, and best practices.
12. Education: Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, Risk Management, or a related field. Advanced certifications such as FRM, PRM, CFA, or CAMS would be an advantage.
13. Experience: Minimum 8-12 years of experience in risk management roles within financial services, fintech, or banking, with expertise in credit risk, fraud risk, and operational risk.
14. UAE Regulatory Knowledge: Strong understanding of UAE’s regulatory landscape, particularly CBUAE regulations, risk governance frameworks, and compliance requirements.
15. Analytical & Strategic Thinking: Ability to assess complex risks, design mitigation strategies, and leverage data analytics for decision-making.
16. Cross-functional Collaboration: Proven experience working with engineering, product, compliance, and operations teams to drive risk-conscious business decisions.
17. Leadership & Stakeholder Management: Strong ability to influence and engage with C-suite executives, regulators, and external partners.
18. Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with experience in preparing reports and presenting risk strategies to senior leadership.
19. Tech & Data Savvy: Familiarity with risk analytics tools, AI-driven fraud detection systems, and digital risk management technologies is a plus.
20. High Growth & Fast-Paced Experience: Experience working in a scale-up or high-growth fintech environment is highly desirable.