Manager, Internal Audit

About Airwallex

Role impact

Audit and assurance responsibilities

• Design and execute risk-based audit plans, charters, and testing procedures suited to UAE regulation and the entity’s risk profile.
• Lead regulatory compliance audits across EMEA and contribute to global compliance audits.
• Assess controls across financial crime, AML/CFT, sanctions screening, payment systems, card schemes, customer money safeguarding, and enterprise risk management.
• Use analytics and technology to improve audit efficiency, enable continuous monitoring, and detect emerging risks or anomalies.
• Communicate complex compliance issues to senior management, business leaders, risk teams, Boards, and regulators.
• Track management action plans and ensure audit findings are remediated promptly and sustainably.
• Monitor UAE and EMEA regulatory developments and incorporate relevant changes and best practices into the audit approach.

Essential requirements

• At least eight years of audit experience and demonstrated capability to serve as a regulatory Key Function Holder.
• Deep knowledge of UAE regulatory compliance, including relevant CBUAE, DFSA, or FSRA frameworks.
• Experience auditing financial crime, AML/CFT, sanctions screening, payment systems, card schemes, customer money safeguarding, or enterprise risk management.
• Experience developing and executing risk-based audit plans and evaluating control design and operating effectiveness.
• Experience communicating complex risks and audit findings to senior stakeholders, Boards, and regulators.
• Strong written and spoken English and ability to influence stakeholders across functions and levels.
• Bachelor’s degree or above in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Current UAE residency and valid work authorisation, or eligibility for UAE employment visa sponsorship and willingness to relocate to meet regulatory presence requirements.

Preferred qualifications

• Arabic fluency is preferred.
• CIA, CPA, CAMS, CISA, or FRM qualifications are preferred.
• Hands-on experience with Python, Databricks, Looker, or SQL is preferred.
• Experience using AI-driven audit methods or building automated monitoring routines is preferred.
• Experience in a high-growth international fintech or other highly regulated business is preferred.

Workplace

• Work from the Dubai or Abu Dhabi office three days a week.

Team and work style