Risk Officer

ETRA Talent; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 300,000 - 450,000; Full time

Job summary

ETRA Talent identifies a senior Risk Officer to support a portfolio of regulated UAE entities. You will develop, implement and oversee enterprise risk management frameworks across operational, regulatory and third-party risk areas.

The role is client-facing, requiring engagement with senior management, boards and regulators, with responsibility for risk reporting and governance across ADGM/FSRA and DIFC/DFSA environments.

Qualifications

• 5–10 years’ risk management experience in financial services.
• Experience with alternative asset management, fund management or related environment.
• Familiarity with ADGM/FSRA and DIFC/DFSA regulatory contexts.
• Strong ability to prepare and present risk reports to boards and committees.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain enterprise risk management frameworks for regulated clients.
• Establish Risk Appetite Statements, KRIs and risk-control methodologies.
• Own and update risk policies, procedures and governance docs.
• Maintain client risk registers covering operational, regulatory, conduct, technology, cyber and third-party risks.
• Oversee portfolio risk management, including portfolio analysis and exposure monitoring.
• Lead incident management, root-cause analysis and remediation actions.

Skills

Risk management

Alternative asset management

Category 3C experience

Regulatory engagement

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance / Economics / Risk Management

Job description

Regulatory jurisdictions: ADGM/FSRA and DIFC/DFSA

The Opportunity

A well-established global financial-services organisation is seeking an experienced Risk Officer to support a portfolio of regulated businesses operating across the UAE’s leading financial centres.

The successful candidate will develop, implement and oversee risk management frameworks for regulated clients, including alternative asset managers and Category 3C firms. Acting as an independent second line of defence, the Risk Officer will ensure that operational, regulatory, conduct, technology, cyber and third-party risks are identified, assessed, monitored and managed effectively.

This is a client-facing position requiring strong technical knowledge, sound commercial judgement and the confidence to engage with senior management, boards and regulatory authorities.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain enterprise risk management frameworks for regulated clients.
• Establish appropriate Risk Appetite Statements, Key Risk Indicators and risk-control methodologies.
• Own and regularly update risk policies, procedures and governance documentation.
• Maintain client risk registers covering operational, regulatory, conduct, technology, cyber and third-party risks.
• Oversee investment and portfolio risk management, including portfolio analysis and exposure monitoring.
• Identify emerging risks and provide practical recommendations to strengthen controls and governance.
• Prepare clear risk reports and management information for senior executives, boards and relevant committees.
• Assess risks associated with new products, alternative investments, digital assets, technology infrastructure and cybersecurity.
• Oversee outsourcing and third-party risk arrangements, including due diligence, risk assessments and ongoing monitoring.
• Lead incident management, root-cause analysis and control-remediation activity.
• Work closely with Compliance and MLRO teams to align risk management with regulatory and financial-crime obligations.
• Support regulatory discussions, inspections and information requests.
• Ensure that risk frameworks, records and supporting documentation remain regulator ready.
• Promote a strong risk culture across client organisations.

Candidate Requirements

• Approximately 5–10 years’ risk management experience within financial services.
• Strong risk experience gained within alternative asset management, fund management or a closely related environment.
• Practical experience supporting Category 3C regulated entities.
• Strong knowledge of the ADGM regulatory environment and FSRA rules and expectations.
• Existing familiarity with the FSRA and experience supporting regulatory engagements.
• Previous DIFC/DFSA experience would be highly advantageous.
• Strong understanding of operational, regulatory, conduct, technology and third-party risk.
• Experience in portfolio analysis and investment-related risk management.
• Confident preparing and presenting risk reports to boards, committees and senior management.
• Degree in finance, economics, risk management or a related discipline.
• Professional qualifications such as FRM, PRM or CFA would be advantageous.
• Candidates currently based in the UAE are strongly preferred.
• Independent mindset with the confidence to challenge decisions constructively.
• Strong integrity and professional judgement.
• Commercial awareness combined with a disciplined approach to risk.
• Excellent stakeholder-management and communication skills.
• Ability to translate complex risk matters into clear, practical recommendations.
• Strong knowledge of risk frameworks, controls and regulatory expectations.
• Comfortable managing multiple regulated clients and competing priorities.
• Organised, analytical and able to operate with a high degree of autonomy