Head of Risk, UAE

Role You'll join our GCC Risk & Compliance function as the designated Risk Officer for the UAE, a regulated role under the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE). This is a high-impact position responsible for building, maintaining, and executing Taptap Send's risk management and fraud prevention framework in the UAE, ensuring that we meet the highest regulatory standards while supporting fast, mission-driven growth. You'll work across all areas of the business: operations, product, engineering, compliance, finance, and partnerships, to identify risks, design strong controls, and ensure we remain safe, resilient, and compliant. You'll lead our engagement with the Central Bank on risk and fraud related matters, provide regular risk reporting to senior management and the Board, and help shape how Taptap Send scales safely across the GCC. You will be hands-on, proactive, and solutions-oriented—comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, able to anticipate emerging risks and fraud patterns, and capable of balancing regulatory expectations with practical business realities. Responsibilities Develop, maintain, and execute the UAE risk management framework, including the Risk Register, Risk Appetite, and risk assessment processes. Serve as the primary point of contact with the Central Bank of the UAE for all risk-related matters and ensure full compliance with CBUAE regulations. Identify, assess, and monitor key risks across operations, technology, product, finance, and customer journeys. Oversee operational incident reporting and root-cause analysis, ensuring corrective actions are implemented. Lead regulatory risk reporting, prepare submissions, and coordinate responses to supervisory queries. Monitor technology, cybersecurity, and data protection risks in partnership with Engineering and Security teams. Assess settlement, liquidity, and financial risks related to funds flows, reconciliation, partners, and payout operations. Manage third-party and outsourcing risk, including due diligence, risk assessments, and ongoing monitoring of key vendors and partners. Provide regular risk updates and reports to senior management and the Board, highlighting trends and mitigation status. Build and own the UAE fraud risk management framework, ensuring alignment with CBUAE expectations. Oversee fraud detection, monitoring, and investigation processes, partnering with global fraud and compliance teams. Identify emerging fraud patterns (first-party, third-party, mule activity, identity fraud, social engineering) and implement preventive controls. Lead fraud-related incident reviews, from detection to remediation, and ensure timely regulatory notifications where required. Work with Product, Data, and Engineering to enhance fraud rules, models, and automated controls. Develop fraud KPIs, thresholds, and dashboards; report fraud trends to senior management and the Board. Drive customer education initiatives around fraud prevention and safe usage. Promote a strong risk and fraud-aware culture internally through training, guidance, and cross-functional collaboration. Requirements 6+ years' experience in risk and/or fraud management within fintech, payments, or financial services Strong knowledge of CBUAE regulations and practical experience managing regulatory interactions. Proven ability to build and maintain risk and fraud frameworks, controls, and incident management processes. Clear communicator with strong analytical skills and ability to work cross-functionally in fast-paced environments. A good fit for this role is Proactive and structured, able to manage multiple risks, fraud alerts, and workstreams independently. Calm and clear thinker who makes sound decisions under pressure. Solutions-oriented, balancing regulatory expectations with practical business needs. Strong communicator who collaborates well across teams and levels. Taptap Values Impact first Team next Accept reality Propose solutions Win with grit Be proactively candid, with yourself and others Love the particular Own it Create positive energy Maybe, even have fun Taptap Send is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to building an inclusive and diverse workforce. All employment decisions are decided on the basis of qualifications, experience and business need. We strongly encourage applications from members of underrepresented communities to apply. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process, please let us know. Any information you provide will be used to accommodate your requirements. Note: imposter syndrome is real — any candidate who does not perfectly fit every characteristic of this role is still strongly encouraged to apply. #J-18808-Ljbffr