Lead Auditor, UAE

Remitly; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 240,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

Remitly is seeking a UAE Lead Auditor based in Abu Dhabi to lead the internal audit function for the UAE entity and collaborate across Compliance, Legal, Risk, Operations, Product and Engineering. The role reports to the Global Audit & Assurance team and offers strategic influence on audit methodology and continuous monitoring capabilities.

You will plan, execute and report risk-based audits, interact with regulators and the Board, and drive improvements in the control environment across MEA.

Qualifications

• 7 years of internal audit, compliance assurance, risk testing or regulatory consulting within financial services, fintech or payments.
• Experience with UAE regulatory frameworks (CBUAE, DFSA, FSRA) and expectations for regulated financial services firms.
• Ability to manage full audit lifecycle independently: scoping, risk assessment, fieldwork, findings and reporting.
• Experience developing audit universe and annual audit plan with risk-based prioritization and budgeting.
• Strong knowledge of AML/CFT, sanctions, consumer protection and payments regulations in MEA or global context.
• Proven track record of communicating complex risk findings to senior stakeholders and regulators.
• Experience using data analytics and AI-assisted audit tools; ability to work autonomously.

Responsibilities

• Support the implementation and ongoing operation of the internal audit assurance framework for Remitly's UAE entity.
• Develop the annual audit plan for UAE legal entity, including updating the audit universe, risk assessment, budgeting and scheduling.
• Lead audit engagements end-to-end from scoping and planning through fieldwork, findings and reporting.
• Monitor implementation of internal audit recommendations and report status to oversight committees.
• Build and maintain relationships with Compliance, Legal, Risk, Operations, Product and Engineering, plus regulators and Board.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to embed a strong control culture and meaningful assurance practices.
• Oversee co-source partner engagements for the region ensuring alignment with GAA methodology and quality expectations.
• Contribute to strategic projects aligned with the global GAA model, including methodology development and tooling improvements.
• Interact with UAE entity Board of Directors and local regulators to communicate audit outcomes clearly.

Skills

Internal audit

Regulatory compliance

Data analytics

Stakeholder management

Audit reporting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance/Accounting

Job description

At Remitly we believe everyone deserves the freedom to access, move and manage their money wherever life takes them. Since 2011 we have tirelessly delivered on our promise to customers sending money globally, providing secure, simple and reliable ways to manage their money, ensuring true peace of mind. Whether it's supporting loved ones back home, growing a business across continents or pursuing new opportunities abroad we are not just here to move money we are here to move our global customers forward. We are looking for builders, reimaginers and global thinkers who want to work at the intersection of technology, trust and transformation. If that's you and you're ready to do the most meaningful work of your career we invite you to join over 2,800 passionate Remitly worldwide who are united by our vision to transform lives with trusted financial services that transcend borders.

About the Role

Remitly is seeking a UAE Lead Auditor to join our Global Audit & Assurance (GAA) team. Based in Abu Dhabi this role leads Remitly's internal audit function across its UAE legal entity with responsibility for both regional and globally scoped audit coverage. You will lead the planning, delivery and reporting of risk‑based audit engagements across Remitly's UAE‑regulated and regional entities working closely with colleagues globally and with co-source partners. The role presents a meaningful opportunity to help shape the methodology, operations and continuous monitoring capabilities of the GAA function as it scales across the MEA region. This is an individual contributor role with high visibility, direct regulator and board interaction and strategic influence on Remitly's internal audit approach.

What You'll Do

• Support the implementation and ongoing operation of the internal audit assurance framework for Remitly's UAE entity, including development of continuous monitoring routines and data‑driven audit techniques.
• Develop the annual audit plan for UAE legal entity, including updating the audit universe, completing the risk assessment and managing the budgeting and scheduling process.
• Lead audit engagements end‑to‑end from scoping and planning through fieldwork, findings development and reporting ensuring timely delivery of high‑quality risk‑aligned outcomes.
• Monitor implementation of internal audit recommendations, measure the effectiveness of management remediation actions and report status to relevant oversight committees.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders across Compliance, Legal, Risk, Operations, Product and Engineering as well as externally with the local regulator and the Board.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the UAE business helping to embed a strong control culture and promote meaningful assurance practices.
• Oversee co‑source partner engagements for the region ensuring alignment with GAA methodology, scope and quality expectations.
• Contribute to strategic projects aligned with the global GAA assurance model, including methodology development, tooling improvements and AI‑assisted audit techniques.
• Interact directly with UAE entity Board of Directors and local regulators providing clear and credible communication of audit outcomes and matters of significance.
• Perform other duties as required.

What You Have

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university in Business, Finance, Accounting, Risk or a related field.
• 7 years of experience in internal audit, compliance assurance, risk testing or regulatory consulting within financial services, fintech or payments.
• Proven experience working in or alongside UAE regulatory frameworks, including demonstrated familiarity with CBUAE, DFSA or FSRA requirements and expectations for regulated financial services firms.
• Demonstrated ability to manage the full audit lifecycle independently scoping, risk assessment, fieldwork, workpaper documentation, findings development and reporting while overseeing multiple engagements simultaneously.
• Experience developing and maintaining an audit universe and annual audit plan, including risk‑based prioritization, resource budgeting and plan monitoring.
• Strong understanding of AML/CFT, sanctions, consumer protection and payment services regulatory requirements in the MEA or broader international context.
• Proven track record of building and managing relationships with senior internal stakeholders, Board members and external regulators with the ability to communicate complex risk findings clearly and credibly.
• Strong coordination and accountability skills able to hold co‑source teams and management action plan owners to quality and deadline standards.
• Demonstrated use of data analytics and technology in audit workflows and decision‑making, with comfort navigating AI‑assisted audit tools and automated testing platforms.
• High ownership mindset with the ability to work autonomously, exercise sound judgement in ambiguous situations and take initiative without requiring close direction.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to tailor message and detail level to the audience from operational findings to Board‑level reporting.

Nice to Have

• Experience with CBUAE's Internal Audit Standards for Licensed Financial Institutions or equivalent UAE regulatory expectations for internal audit functions within money transfer operators or payment service providers.
• Familiarity with cross‑border payments compliance including transaction monitoring, customer due diligence and sanctions screening controls in a regulated remittance or fintech context.
• Experience managing or coordinating co‑source or outsourced audit arrangements including vendor oversight and quality review.
• Relevant professional certifications such as CIA, CRCM, CRMA, CISA, CAMS or equivalent internal audit or compliance credentials.