Description:
The CEO & Responsible Individual is responsible for the overall management, strategic direction, and regulatory compliance of the company. The role combines executive leadership with personal regulatory accountability under the VARA Rulebooks, ensuring that the firm operates in a safe, sound, compliant, and risk-aware manner at all times.
CEO Responsibilities (Executive & Strategic)
- Provide overall leadership and strategic direction for the company in line with the Board-approved business plans.
- Oversee day-to-day operations across the company, including trading, technology, operations, and customer support.
- Ensure the firm maintains adequate financial, operational, and human resources commensurate with the scale and complexity of its activities.
- Implement robust corporate governance frameworks, including delegation of authority, internal controls, and escalation procedures.
- Lead senior management and ensure key control functions (Compliance, Legal, Risk, MLRO, Finance, Technology) are appropriately staffed and independent where required.
- Represent the company with external stakeholders, including regulators, banking partners, auditors, and service providers.
- Ensure the firm’s activities are conducted in a manner that protects clients, market integrity, and the reputation of the Dubai virtual assets ecosystem.
Responsible Individual (RI) Responsibilities (Regulatory & Oversight)
In accordance with the applicable laws in the UAE and applicable VARA Rulebooks, the Responsible Individual shall:
- Act as the primary individual accountable to VARA for the firm’s compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, rules, directives, and licensing conditions.
- Maintain effective oversight of the company, including:
- Compliance and Risk Management frameworks;
- AML/CFT systems and controls (in coordination with the MLRO);
- Technology governance, cybersecurity, and operational resilience.
- Foster a strong compliance culture across the organization, ensuring staff understand and adhere to regulatory obligations.
- Take reasonable steps to prevent regulatory breaches and mitigate risks once identified.
Authority & Accountability
- Holds executive oversight over the firm’s operations, subject to Board oversight.
- Personally accountable to VARA in the capacity of Responsible Individual.
- Authority to allocate resources and require remedial actions to address regulatory, risk, or compliance issues.
Key Relationships
- Internal: Board of Directors, Senior Management, Legal, Compliance Office and MLRO, Risk Officer, Technology Lead, Finance.
- External: VARA, external auditors, banking partners, other key vendors.
What you'll need
- Minimum 10–15 years of senior management experience in financial services, fintech, digital assets, or regulated trading venues.
- Demonstrable experience in a regulated environment, preferably with exchanges, brokers, or virtual asset service providers.
- Strong understanding of:
- Virtual asset markets and exchange operations;
- Regulatory compliance, AML/CFT, and risk management frameworks.
- Prior experience interacting with financial regulators (preferably in the UAE or comparable jurisdictions).
- Proven ability to manage regulatory accountability alongside executive leadership responsibilities.
- Strong leadership and decision-making capabilities.
- High standards of integrity, professionalism, and ethical conduct.
- Ability to balance commercial objectives with regulatory obligations.
- Excellent communication skills, including engagement with regulators and boards.
- Strong risk awareness and crisis management capability.