Risk Manager

About This Role

We are looking for a Risk Manager to identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with our virtual asset operations, including cryptocurrency trading, custody, and wallet services. The role will be responsible for implementing and maintaining a robust enterprise risk management framework in alignment with regulatory requirements set by the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) and other applicable authorities. The ideal candidate will work closely with cross-functional teams to monitor financial, operational, and technological risks, strengthen internal controls, and support a proactive risk culture across the organization.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Risk Framework & Governance

• Design and maintain a comprehensive Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) framework tailored to VASP operations.
• Develop and own risk policies, internal controls, risk appetite statements, and tolerance thresholds.
• Ensure the framework is continuously aligned with VARA's Rulebook, SCA regulations, and applicable FATF guidance.

2. Transaction Monitoring & Financial Crime

• Oversee on-chain and off-chain transaction monitoring to detect suspicious or anomalous activity.
• Maintain robust AML/CTF controls and ensure timely escalation of potential financial crime incidents.
• Collaborate with Compliance on STR/SAR filings, investigations, and regulatory correspondence.

3. Operational & Cybersecurity Risk

• Identify and assess vulnerabilities across IT infrastructure, blockchain protocols, smart contracts, and custody/wallet systems.
• Partner with the Technology team to define and enforce security controls, penetration testing schedules, and risk remediation plans.
• Maintain a live risk register and ensure operational incidents are documented, reviewed, and closed within agreed SLAs.

4. Regulatory Compliance & Engagement

• Serve as the primary risk interface for VARA inspections, regulatory audits, and supervisory reporting.
• Proactively monitor regulatory developments (VARA, SCA, CBUAE) and translate changes into internal policy updates.
• Draft and maintain key regulatory submissions including risk management policies, compliance attestations, and periodic reporting.

5. Risk Monitoring, Reporting & Escalation

• Define, track, and report Key Risk Indicators (KRIs) and Key Control Indicators (KCIs) on a regular cadence.
• Prepare clear, concise risk reports for the Board, senior management, and regulators.
• Escalate emerging risks with actionable mitigation recommendations and appropriate urgency.

6. Resilience & Continuity Planning

• Develop and maintain incident response plans, business continuity plans (BCP), and disaster recovery protocols.
• Design and execute risk scenarios and stress tests relevant to cryptocurrency market volatility, cyber incidents, and operational failures.
• Lead post-incident reviews and drive implementation of lessons learned.

7. Cross-Functional Leadership

• Act as a trusted risk advisor to Compliance, Finance, Legal, and Technology teams.
• Facilitate risk training, awareness campaigns, and promote a risk-aware culture across all functions.

Support product and business development teams in assessing risk implications of new services and market expansions.

Required Qualifications:

• Deep understanding of blockchain technology, tokenomics, and digital asset risk vectors, including smart contract risk, oracle manipulation, and protocol vulnerabilities.
• Strong grasp of AML/KYC/CTF frameworks, FATF Recommendations, and Travel Rule compliance.
• Familiarity with on-chain analytics tools (e.g., Chainalysis, TRM Labs, Elliptic) is a plus.
• Understanding of cybersecurity risk principles including ISO 27001, SOC 2, and NIST frameworks.

Core Competencies:

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Risk Management, Business Administration, Law, or a related field. A Master's degree or MBA is an advantage.
• Professional certifications are highly valued: FRM (GARP), CAMS, CRISC, CISSP, or equivalent.
• 5–7 years of progressive experience in Risk Management, Compliance, or Internal Audit within financial services or regulated technology environments.
• Demonstrable experience in a Virtual Assets, FinTech, Crypto, or DeFi context, either at a VASP, exchange, custody provider, or digital asset fund.
• Prior exposure to VARA, ADGM/FSRA, SCA, or CBUAE regulatory frameworks is strongly preferred.

Track record of designing or overhauling risk frameworks from the ground up.

Compensations and Benefits:

· Working Hours: Mondays to Fridays from 9AM to 5PM

· Airticket: Per Annum

· Medical Insurance: Comprehensive Insurance

· Annual Leave: after completion of 1 year in service

Salary: To be discussed

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From AED12,000.00 per month

Application Question(s):

• In a single paragraph, can you please state your understanding about blockchain technology, tokenomics, and digital asset risk vectors, including smart contract risk, oracle manipulation, and protocol vulnerabilities.
• What is the level of your understanding of cybersecurity risk principles including ISO 27001, SOC 2, and NIST frameworks.
• This is an urgent role, what is your earliest availability?
• Do you have any experience on any of the following regulatories: VARA, ADGM/FSRA, SCA, or CBUAE? if yes, how many years?

Work Location: In person