Credit Risk Manager

Job Description

Company Overview: We are a leading regulated Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) based in Dubai, offering a comprehensive suite of services including virtual asset brokerage, OTC trading, yield-generating products, and virtual asset lending. As we scale our operations to serve high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and institutional clients, we are seeking a highly skilled Senior Manager to manage Credit, Counterparty, and Market Risk to strengthen our risk management framework and ensure alignment with regulatory standards and best practices.

Role Summary

The Senior Manager will be responsible for the end-to-end management of credit risk, counterparty risk, and market risk exposures across the groups virtual asset products and services. This role demands a deep understanding of traditional finance risk principles, combined with strong experience in emerging virtual asset markets. The role will report directly to the Head of Risk and will work closely with senior management, trading, compliance, product, and legal teams to ensure a robust and proactive risk environment.

Key Responsibilities

Credit & Counterparty Risk Management

• Lead credit risk assessments for counterparties, institutional clients, OTC participants, and borrowers.
• Develop, implement, and maintain the credit risk management framework, including risk appetite, policies, procedures, and delegation matrices.
• Set and monitor counterparty exposure limits, assess creditworthiness, and manage collateral frameworks (e.g., margin, netting agreements).
• Conduct ongoing due diligence and periodic reviews of active counterparties.
• Design and implement credit scoring methodologies appropriate for virtual asset products and markets.
  
  

• Monitor and manage market risk exposures arising from proprietary positions, client flows, lending activities, and structured yield products.
• Develop market risk metrics (VaR, stress testing, scenario analysis) and implement real-time risk monitoring tools.
• Conduct daily P&L and exposure analysis, flagging material movements and breaches to senior management.
• Advise trading desks and treasury teams on risk-adjusted strategies.
  
  

• Ensure full compliance with applicable Dubai regulatory requirements for VASPs (e.g., VARA guidelines, DFSA principles if applicable).
• Prepare and submit internal and regulatory risk reports as required.
• Engage with regulators during supervisory reviews, inspections, and audits, specifically in relation to credit and market risk management.
  
  

• Partner with Product, Legal, and Business Development teams to ensure risk factors are embedded into new product launches.
• Drive initiatives to digitize and automate risk assessment, monitoring, and reporting processes.
• Support the development of a strong risk culture across the organization.
  
  

• Serve as a key member of the Risk Committee, Credit Committee, and Product Launch Committee.
• Present regular risk reports and material findings to executive management and the Board Risk Committee.
  
  

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in finance, Economics, Risk Management, or related fields.
• Minimum 8–10 years of experience in credit risk, counterparty risk, and/or market risk roles within financial services, with at least 2 years exposure to digital assets or alternative assets preferred.
• Strong understanding of OTC trading, brokerage operations, lending products, and yield structures.
• Solid knowledge of collateralized lending, counterparty exposure management, and margining practices.
• Hands-on experience developing risk models and frameworks (credit scoring, VaR, stress tests).
• Familiarity with Dubai VASP regulations (VARA) and/or international virtual asset regulatory frameworks.
• Previous experience interacting with regulatory bodies preferred.
• FRM (Financial Risk Manager) – Mandatory.
• CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) – Mandatory.
• CAMS (Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist) is a plus.
  
  

• Highly analytical with strong quantitative risk management skills.
• Excellent judgment and ability to balance risk and commerciality.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic, high-growth, and evolving regulatory environment.
• Integrity, attention to detail, and a proactive problem-solving approach.