Description
About the Role
You'll establish and lead the internal audit function for Airwallex's UAE entity, meeting local regulatory expectations while supporting the entity's growth. You'll work across the UAE, EMEA and Airwallex's international footprint to strengthen assurance, controls and regulatory readiness.
Responsibilities
- Establish and lead the internal audit function for Airwallex's UAE entity, meeting local regulatory expectations and supporting the entity's growth.
- Serve as the designated Chief Internal Auditor / Head of Internal Audit and Key Function Holder for the UAE entity, partnering with the local Board and relevant regulators.
- Design and execute risk-based audit plans, charters and testing procedures tailored to the UAE regulatory environment and Airwallex's local risk profile.
- Lead regulatory compliance audits across the EMEA region and contribute to global compliance audits across Airwallex's international footprint.
- Assess the design and operating effectiveness of controls across financial crime, AML/CFT, sanctions screening, payment systems, card schemes, customer money safeguarding and enterprise risk management.
- Use data analytics and technology to improve audit efficiency, support continuous monitoring and identify emerging risks or anomalies.
- Communicate complex compliance issues clearly to senior management, business leaders, risk teams, Boards and regulators.
- Track management action plans and follow up to ensure audit findings are remediated in a timely and sustainable way.
- Stay close to regulatory developments across the UAE and broader EMEA region, embedding relevant changes and best practices into Airwallex's audit approach.
Requirements
- 8+ years of audit experience, with proven capability to step into a regulatory Key Function Holder role.
- Deep knowledge of regulatory compliance requirements in the UAE, 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 the design and operating effectiveness of controls.
- Experience communicating complex risks and audit findings clearly to senior stakeholders, Boards and regulators.
- Strong written and spoken English, with the ability to influence stakeholders across functions and levels.
- A bachelor's degree or above in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or a related field.
- Current UAE residency with valid work authorisation, or eligibility for UAE employment visa sponsorship and willingness to relocate to meet applicable regulatory presence requirements.
Preferred Qualifications
- Fluency in Arabic.
- Professional audit qualifications such as CIA, CPA, CAMS, CISA or FRM.
- Hands-on experience with data analysis tools such as Python, Databricks, Looker or SQL.
- Experience using AI-driven audit methodologies or building automated monitoring routines.
- Experience working in a high-growth, international fintech or other highly regulated business.