Senior Manager, Internal Audit

The role

You will establish and lead the internal audit function for the UAE entity. You will design risk-based audit plans and assess controls across financial crime, AML/CFT, and payment systems.

What you will do

• Establish and lead the internal audit function for the UAE entity.
• Serve as the designated Chief Internal Auditor / Head of Internal Audit and Key Function Holder for the UAE entity.
• Design and execute risk-based audit plans, charters and testing procedures.
• Lead regulatory compliance audits across the EMEA region.
• Contribute to global compliance audits across the 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 managemen
• Use data analytics and technology to improve audit efficiency.
• Communicate complex compliance issues to senior management, business leaders, risk teams, Boards and regulators.
• Track management action plans and follow up on audit findings.

Required qualifications

• 8+ years of audit experience.
• 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.
• 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.

Nice to have

• 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.

About the company

Airwallex is an AI-native financial operating system for a real-time, intelligent economy. It provides financial infrastructure for over 675,000 businesses globally.