Director of Operations

Operations Director – Abu Dhabi (Relocation Required) – Scale up StableCoin/Fintech

Build and run the operating model for a research-backed UAE stablecoin payments fintech as it scales volumes and corridors.

• Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE (on-site)
• Salary: Competitive, tax-free package – 160-180K Euro equilivant tax free + amazing education allowances + 1 month hotel + x2 first month salary for relocation + private healthcare & dental etc
• Job Type: Permanent

About the Business

An early-stage Abu Dhabi fintech building a blockchain-powered cross-border payments platform. Using stablecoins and a network of regulated banking, custody and liquidity partners, the business helps companies move money across borders faster, at lower cost and with full transparency. It is backed by a leading UAE technology and research organisation, pairing deep cryptographic expertise with a startup operating model, and is building towards a VARA licence.

About the Role

Reporting directly to the CEO, you will design and run the operating model that makes stablecoin-based cross-border payments work reliably, securely and in line with UAE regulation. You will own end-to-end payment operations, partner operations, reconciliation and the processes, controls and service levels needed to operate as a VARA-licensed business. This is a hands-on leadership role, working closely with Technology, Treasury, Compliance and Network Expansion to grow volumes and corridors without losing control.

What You'll Be Doing

• Designing, implementing and continuously improving the operating model, policies and procedures across processing, settlement, reconciliation and client servicing
• Owning day-to-day fiat and stablecoin payment operations - on-ramp, transfer, off-ramp and beneficiary payout - with clear exception and escalation paths
• Establishing daily reconciliation across bank accounts, wallets, custody and partner ledgers, and making sure breaks are explained and resolved quickly
• Managing operational relationships with banking, custody, liquidity and payout partners, including SLAs, performance reviews and incident handling
• Running client onboarding operations with Compliance and the MLRO, keeping KYB and due diligence efficient and well controlled
• Defining and reporting operational KPIs - success rates, processing times, cost per transaction and service levels - to the CEO and Board
• Implementing outsourcing and third-party oversight in line with VARA requirements
• Partnering with the CTO, CISO and risk function on 24/7 operational resilience, BCP and DR
• Supporting the VARA licensing application with process maps, documentation and evidence
• Driving automation and AI-enabled process improvement, and building a lean, high-calibre operations team

What We're Looking For

Essential:

• 10+ years in operations across payments, remittances, fintech or financial services, including senior leadership of payment or settlement operations
• Hands-on experience running stablecoin, virtual asset, digital payments or similar cross-border flows, including on/off-ramp, custody and settlement
• A proven record of building operational processes, controls and reconciliation frameworks from scratch in a startup or scale-up
• UAE experience, with working knowledge of VARA's Rulebooks (Company, Compliance and Risk Management, Technology and Information) and CBUAE requirements
• Experience managing banking, custody, liquidity and payout partners and negotiating operational SLAs
• A strong operational understanding of AML/CFT, KYB and sanctions screening
• Degree in Business, Finance, Engineering or a related field
• Able to meet VARA fit and proper requirements; based in, or willing to relocate to, the UAE

Desirable:

• Advanced degree in a relevant discipline
• Experience supporting a VARA or comparable virtual asset licensing application
• A track record of using automation or AI to scale operations

What's On Offer

• Competitive, tax-free executive package (details on application)
• Executive-level role reporting directly to the CEO, with Board visibility
• The chance to shape the business from the ground up at founding-team stage
• Based in Abu Dhabi, UAE

If this sounds like the right move for you, apply now.