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Airwallex is an AI-native financial operating system serving over 675,000 businesses globally, including McLaren Racing, Qantas, SHEIN, and TikTok. The company operates as the regulated backbone for global payments across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, with 85+ licenses and 2,700+ employees across 27 offices.
You will establish and lead the internal audit function for Airwallex's UAE entity, serving as the designated Chief Internal Auditor and Key Function Holder. This is a foundational leadership role that will shape audit strategy, regulatory compliance, and control frameworks for the region while supporting the entity's growth trajectory.
Key responsibilities include:
- Establishing and leading the internal audit function to meet local UAE regulatory expectations
- Serving as the Key Function Holder, partnering with the local Board and relevant regulators
- Designing and executing risk-based audit plans, charters, and testing procedures tailored to the UAE regulatory environment and Airwallex's risk profile
- Leading regulatory compliance audits across EMEA and contributing to global compliance audits
- Assessing design and operating effectiveness of controls across financial crime, AML/CFT, sanctions screening, payment systems, card schemes, customer money safeguarding, and enterprise risk management
- Leveraging data analytics and technology to improve audit efficiency and identify emerging risks
- Communicating complex compliance issues to senior management, business leaders, risk teams, Boards, and regulators
- Tracking and ensuring timely remediation of audit findings
- Staying current with regulatory developments across UAE and EMEA, embedding best practices into Airwallex's audit approach
You'll work from the Dubai or Abu Dhabi office three days per week.
REQUIREMENTS:
- 8+ years of audit experience with proven capability to step into a regulatory Key Function Holder role
- Deep knowledge of UAE regulatory compliance requirements, including CBUAE, DFSA, or FSRA frameworks
- Experience auditing financial crime, AML/CFT, sanctions screening, payment systems, card schemes, customer money safeguarding, or enterprise risk management
- Demonstrated ability to develop and execute risk-based audit plans and evaluate control design and operating effectiveness
- Experience communicating complex risks and audit findings to senior stakeholders, Boards, and regulators
- Strong written and spoken English with ability to influence across functions and levels
- Bachelor's degree or above in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field
- Current UAE residency with valid work authorization, or eligibility for UAE employment visa sponsorship and willingness to relocate to meet regulatory presence requirements
PREFERRED:
- Fluency in Arabic
- Professional audit qualifications (CIA, CPA, CAMS, CISA, or FRM)
- Hands-on experience with data analysis tools (Python, Databricks, Looker, or SQL)
- Experience with AI-driven audit methodologies or automated monitoring routines
- Experience in high-growth, international fintech or highly regulated businesses
