Lead Auditor, UAE at Remitly · Abu Dhabi

Lead Auditor, UAE
Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Job Description:
At Remitly, we believe everyone deserves the freedom to access, move, and manage their money wherever life takes them. Since 2011, we've tirelessly delivered on our promise to customers sending money globally, providing secure, simple, and reliable ways to manage their money, ensuring true peace of mind. Whether it's supporting loved ones back home, growing a business across continents, or pursuing new opportunities abroad, we're not just here to move money— we're here to move our global customers forward.

We're looking for builders, reimaginers, and global thinkers who want to work at the intersection of technology, trust, and transformation. If that's you and you're ready to do the most meaningful work of your career—we invite you to join over 2,800 passionate Remitlians worldwide who are united by our vision to transform lives with trusted financial services that transcend borders.
About the Role
Remitly is seeking a UAE Lead Auditor to join our Global Audit & Assurance (GAA) team. Based in Abu Dhabi, this role leads Remitly’s internal audit function across its UAE legal entity, with responsibility for both regional and globally scoped audit coverage.
You will lead the planning, delivery, and reporting of risk-based audit engagements across Remitly’s UAE-regulated and regional entities, working closely with colleagues globally and with co-source partners. The role presents a meaningful opportunity to help shape the methodology, operations, and continuous monitoring capabilities of the GAA function as it scales across the MEA region. This is an individual contributor role with high visibility, direct regulator and board interaction, and strategic influence on Remitly’s internal audit approach.
What You’ll Do
Support the implementation and ongoing operation of the internal audit assurance framework for Remitly’s UAE entity, including development of continuous monitoring routines and data-driven audit techniques.
Develop the annual audit plan for UAE legal entity, including updating the audit universe, completing the risk assessment, and managing the budgeting and scheduling process.
Lead audit engagements end-to-end – from scoping and planning through fieldwork, findings development, and reporting – ensuring timely delivery of high-quality, risk-aligned outcomes.
Monitor implementation of internal audit recommendations, measure the effectiveness of management remediation actions, and report status to relevant oversight committees.
Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders across Compliance, Legal, Risk, Operations, Product, and Engineering, as well as externally with the local regulator and the Board.
Serve as a trusted advisor to the UAE business, helping to embed a strong control culture and promote meaningful assurance practices.
Oversee co-source partner engagements for the region, ensuring alignment with GAA methodology, scope, and quality expectations.
Contribute to strategic projects aligned with the global GAA assurance model, including methodology development, tooling improvements, and AI-assisted audit techniques.
Interact directly with UAE entity Board of Directors and local regulators, providing clear and credible communication of audit outcomes and matters of significance.
Perform other duties as required.
What You Have
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in Business, Finance, Accounting, Risk, or a related field.
7+ years of experience in internal audit, compliance assurance, risk testing, or regulatory consulting within financial services, fintech, or payments.
Proven experience working in or alongside UAE regulatory frameworks, including demonstrated familiarity with CBUAE, DFSA, or FSRA requirements and expectations for regulated financial services firms.
Demonstrated ability to manage the full audit lifecycle independently – scoping, risk assessment, fieldwork, workpaper documentation, findings development, and reporting – while overseeing multiple engagements simultaneously.
Experience developing and maintaining an audit universe and annual audit plan, including risk-based prioritization, resource budgeting, and plan monitoring.
Strong understanding of AML/CFT, sanctions, consumer protection, and payment services regulatory requirements in the MEA or broader international context.
Proven track record of building and managing relationships with senior internal stakeholders, Board members, and external regulators, with the ability to communicate complex risk findings clearly and credibly.
Strong coordination and accountability skills – able to hold co-source teams and management action plan owners to quality and deadline standards.
Demonstrated use of data analytics and technology in audit workflows and decision-making, with comfort navigating AI-assisted audit tools and automated testing platforms.
High ownership mindset with the ability to work autonomously, exercise sound judgment in ambiguous situations, and take initiative without requiring close direction.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor message and detail level to the audience – from operational findings to Board-level reporting.
Nice to Have
Experience with CBUAE’s Internal Audit Standards for Licensed Financial Institutions or equivalent UAE regulatory expectations for internal audit functions within money transfer operators or payment service providers.
Familiarity with cross-border payments compliance, including transaction monitoring, customer due diligence, and sanctions screening controls in a regulated remittance or fintech context.
Experience managing or coordinating co-source or outsourced audit arrangements, including vendor oversight and quality review.
Relevant professional certifications such as CIA, CRCM, CRMA, CISA, CAMS, or equivalent internal audit or compliance credentials.
Our Benefits:
Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
Life Insurance & Income Protection
Housing Allowance
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
Commuter Reimbursement
Mental Health & Family Forming benefits
Learning & development benefits
Our Connected Work Culture: Driving Innovation, Together
At Remitly, we believe that true innovation sparks when we come together. Our Connected Work Culture fosters dynamic in-person collaboration, where ideas ignite and challenging problems find solutions faster. For corporate team members, we have an in-office expectation of at least 50% of the time monthly, typically achieved by coming in three days a week. This creates a consistent, meaningful overlap that supports team norms and business needs. Managers also have the flexibility to set higher expectations based on their team's specific needs. These intentional in-office moments are vital for deepening relationships, fueling creativity, and ensuring your impact is felt where it matters most.
Remitly is an E-Verify Employer
At Remitly, we are dedicated to ensuring that our workplace offers equal employment opportunities to all employees and candidates, in full compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Remitly is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.