Compliance Senior Manager - Digital Assets

Company Description

Wise is a global technology company, building the best way to move and manage the world’s money.
Min fees. Max ease. Full speed.

Whether people and businesses are sending money to another country, spending abroad, or making and receiving international payments, Wise is on a mission to make their lives easier and save them money.

As part of our team, you will be helping us create an entirely new network for the world's money.
For everyone, everywhere.

More about our mission and what we offer.

Job Description

Wise is looking for an experienced and forward-thinking Compliance Senior Manager to join our team in Dubai. This role will be responsible for building, leading, and managing the compliance framework for our new stablecoin and virtual asset services, licensed by Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA). This is a unique opportunity to shape our compliance strategy from the ground up under a new regulatory paradigm. 

As the Compliance Senior Manager, you will be the primary point of contact with VARA, ensuring that our operations not only meet but exceed regulatory expectations. You will work closely with a global team of specialists across Product, Legal, Operations, and Engineering to launch and scale innovative products safely and compliantly, helping us achieve our mission of making money instant, convenient, and transparent for everyone.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Regulatory Oversight & Licensing

• Act as the designated Virtual Asset Compliance Officer (VACO) as required by Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), holding ultimate responsibility for the integrity and effectiveness of the compliance framework.

• Own the relationship with VARA, serving as the point of contact for all licensing, reporting, examinations, and strategic engagement.

• Build and maintain a robust, scalable compliance program tailored to the VARA framework.

• Oversee the maintenance of our VARA license, monitor, interpret, and advise the business on all regulatory developments from VARA and other relevant UAE authorities.

2. Governance & Advisory

• Localise and implement Wise’s global compliance policies to ensure they are fit-for-purpose and compliant with VARA rules.

• Develop and deliver targeted training to the Board and senior management on the VARA framework and the specific risks associated with virtual assets.

• Report directly to the Board and senior leadership on the health of the compliance program, providing clear insights into emerging risks and the effectiveness of controls.

• Act as the key strategic advisor to the business, providing clear and practical compliance guidance on new product development and market expansion.

3. Financial Crime Compliance

• Design and manage the financial crime risk management framework, addressing risks specific to virtual assets such as blockchain analytics, the "Travel Rule", and counter-party VASP due diligence.

• Own the Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR/STR) process, managing interactions with the UAE’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU).

• Establish risk-based procedures for customer due diligence (CDD) and enhanced due diligence (EDD), and act as the point of escalation for high-risk customer approvals.

• Regularly assess the money laundering, terrorist financing, and sanctions risks associated with our virtual asset products and services.

• Implement systems and key risk indicators (KRIs) to track and monitor our regulatory and financial crime risks effectively.

This role will give you the opportunity to:

• Build a compliance function from the ground up in the pioneering regulatory landscape of virtual assets in Dubai.

• Leverage your subject matter expertise to shape and influence the application of the VARA framework, setting a new standard for compliance in the virtual assets sector.

• Collaborate with brilliant teams across Wise, embedding compliance in our product innovation and growth strategy.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Minimum of 8 years’ experience in a regulatory or financial crime compliance role, OR 5 years of experience combined with a relevant professional certification (e.g., Certified Cryptoasset Financial Crime Compliance (CCFCC), Chainalysis Reactor Certification (CRC)).

• Demonstrable, direct, hands-on experience and in-depth knowledge of the virtual assets/cryptocurrency sector, including an understanding of key risks and industry best practices.

• Profound knowledge of UAE AML/CFT regulations and the FATF Recommendations for Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs). Experience with the VARA framework is a significant advantage.

• Proven ability to build and manage a compliance program, with experience in policy writing, risk assessment, and regulatory engagement.

• A "growth mindset" – you are passionate about expanding Wise's mission in a compliant, pragmatic, and solution-oriented manner.

• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and build trust with internal and external stakeholders.

• Ability to work autonomously in a fast-paced, time-sensitive environment.

Additional Information

For everyone, everywhere. We're people building money without borders  — without judgement or prejudice, too. We believe teams are strongest when they are diverse, equitable and inclusive.

We're proud to have a truly international team, and we celebrate our differences.
Inclusive teams help us live our values and make sure every Wiser feels respected, empowered to contribute towards our mission and able to progress in their careers.

If you want to find out more about what it's like to work at Wise visit Wise.Jobs.

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