Head of Enterprise Risk & Controls, Fintech at Optasia · Dubai

Optasia is a fully enabled B2B2X financial technology platform covering credit scoring, decisioning, disbursement and collection. We are committed to enabling financial inclusion for all.

We are seeking a highly motivated and results-driven Head of Enterprise Risk & Controls to oversee the implementation and continuous improvement of our enterprise risk management framework and capabilities. This is a strategic role ideal for a senior professional with circa 15 years of experience in risk management and internal controls who feels ready to take on further responsibilities and step up to a larger leadership role and help build a high-performing risk function within a fast-paced, high-growth fintech organization.

The successful candidate will report to the VP Enterprise Risk, Compliance & Assurance and will be part of our Risk, Compliance and Assurance leadership team. You will play a key role in articulating risk strategy, embedding the enterprise risk management framework across the organization, developing control libraries and matrices for key risk areas, monitoring and reporting risk appetite, and providing tailored risk advisory services to support strategic and operational decision-making across the Group.

This role offers the opportunity to establish a foundational risk function for a growing organization, translating complex regulatory expectations and international best practices into pragmatic, scalable operating models that support sustainable growth and deliver tangible stakeholder value.

What you will do

Risk governance

• Develop, implement and continuously enhance the enterprise risk management framework, aligned to international standards (ISO 31000, COSO) and tailored to Optasia's business model, risk appetite and regulatory obligations.
• Define the organization's risk governance structure, escalation protocols and decision rights; establish clear accountabilities for risk identification, assessment, treatment and monitoring across the Group.
• Lead the ongoing development of the risk policy, risk appetite framework and supporting standards; engage Board and C-suite to embed these into organizational processes and key decision-making forums.
• Coordinate the preparation of integrated annual report disclosures relating to the Group's risk management framework, principal risks, risk appetite and the effectiveness of controls; ensure disclosure accuracy and compliance with applicable standards.
• Establish a system for tracking principal risks, key risk indicators and risk metrics; prepare periodic reporting to the Board, executive leadership, the Risk Committee or other forums, as required.
  
  Principal risks and risk appetite
• Own the Group's principal risks portfolio, ensuring risks are identified, assessed, prioritized and monitored based on adopted methodology, against approved risk appetite and tolerance levels.
• Lead the articulation and embedding of risk appetite statements and tolerance levels by risk category; establish key risk indicators and monitoring mechanisms to enable proactive risk management.
• Facilitate risk discussions with business leaders to understand emerging exposures, evaluate risk-return trade-offs and support alignment of strategic and operational decisions with risk appetite.
  
  Internal controls & Assurance
• Coordinate the development of control libraries and risk-control matrices for priority risk areas (financial resilience, credit risk, technology resilience, regulatory, and other operational risks).
• Define control design standards and testing methodologies and lead the implementation of control assessments where required, in line with governance requirements.
• Coordinate with Internal Audit and other assurance teams to address gaps. monitor remediations, and to facilitate the reporting of combined assurance.

Risk advisory services

• Develop internal capabilities to deliver tailored risk analysis, scenario planning and quantification to support key business and strategic decisions, including product launches, new market expansion, partnerships, acquisitions and capital allocation.
• Act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, articulating complex risk concepts in clear business language and recommending pragmatic mitigation strategies aligned to risk appetite.

Team leadership and risk culture

• Lead and mentor the enterprise risk team, building the required technical capabilities.
• Establish effective working relationships with business and function leaders to embed risk ownership and accountability across the organization.
• Contribute to the delivery of training and awareness initiatives to foster a strong risk culture and risk-conscious decision-making.
• Promote the Three Lines Model and combined assurance principles to ensure accountability for risk management is understood.

What you will bring

Experience

• Circa 15 years of professional experience in enterprise risk management, with a minimum of 3 years in a leadership capacity, either managing risk functions or holding a risk advisory role.
• Demonstrated expertise in developing and implementing enterprise risk management frameworks aligned to international standards (ISO 31000, COSO, King Code or equivalent governance frameworks).
• Strong understanding of risk appetite frameworks, risk-return optimization, and the application of risk appetite in strategic decision-making and capital allocation.
• Proven capability in risk identification, assessment and monitoring methodologies; experience in scenario analysis; quantitative risk modelling experience is a plus.
• Deep knowledge of financial resilience, credit risk, operational risk, technology resilience and regulatory compliance as principal risk categories in financial services or fintech environments.
• Experience establishing internal control frameworks and control libraries; knowledge of COSO Internal Control – Integrated Framework or equivalent control maturity models.

Skills and attributes

• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate complex risk concepts into clear business language and actionable guidance for senior leadership and Board-level audiences.
• Strong stakeholder management and influence skills; ability to engage executives, business leaders and regulators to build trust and drive risk accountability across the organization.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with demonstrated ability to prepare executive reports, board papers and policy documentation to professional standards.
• Highly analytical and results-oriented; comfortable with data-driven decision-making and ability to leverage analytics and digital tools to enhance risk monitoring and reporting.
• Strong integrity, independence and judgment; ability to provide objective advice and escalate concerns.
• Collaborative and pragmatic leadership style; ability to build and develop high-performing teams and foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Comfort with ambiguity and working in a multicultural, multinational environment with exposure to various operating models, a can-do attitude, and an ability to operate strategically and pragmatically.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in business, finance, accounting, risk management, or related discipline;
• Chartered Accountant or professional certification in risk management (e.g. FRM) or related certification (e.g. CIA, CRMA) is valued.
• Proficiency in MS Office and data visualization tools; experience with GRC software platforms is valued.

What we offer

• Flexible hybrid working arrangements with access to comfortable open-plan offices in Dubai.
• Competitive remuneration package aligned to experience and market benchmarks.
• Performance-based bonus scheme linked to organizational and individual objectives.
• Comprehensive private healthcare insurance coverage.
• Extra day off on your birthday.
• All technology and equipment needed to work effectively.

Optasia Perks

• Be part of a multicultural working environment with team members from over 25 countries.
• Meet a unique and promising business and industry focused on enabling financial inclusion across emerging markets.
• Gain insights into tomorrow's fintech landscape and be part of shaping the future of financial services in Africa and Asia.
• Solid career path within our growing organization with opportunities for advancement.
• Continuous learning and development through access to professional training platforms and certification support.
• CSR and festive events celebrating our inclusive and embracing organizational culture and social impact.