Table of Contents
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Job Overview – Compliance Senior Manager Dubai Jobs at Wise
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About Wise and Its Mission
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Available and Related Roles at Wise
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Job Description – What This Virtual Assets Compliance Role Is About
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Key Job Responsibilities
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Why This Compliance Senior Manager Dubai Job Stands Out
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Requirements and Eligibility
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How to Apply for Compliance Senior Manager Dubai Jobs at Wise
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FAQs About Compliance Senior Manager Dubai Jobs
Job Overview – Compliance Senior Manager Dubai Jobs at Wise
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Job Title: Compliance Senior Manager – Virtual Assets Compliance Officer (VACO)
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Company: Wise
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Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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Department: Risk and Compliance
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Salary Range: 536,000 – 841,000 AED annually
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Focus Area: Stablecoins and virtual asset services under VARA regulation
This Compliance Senior Manager Dubai job is a rare opportunity to operate at the cutting edge of virtual asset regulation. Wise is seeking an experienced Compliance Senior Manager who will also serve as the Virtual Assets Compliance Officer (VACO) for its new stablecoin and virtual asset products licensed under Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA).
In this senior role, you will own the end-to-end compliance framework for Wise’s virtual asset services in Dubai, act as the primary contact with VARA, and design financial crime controls that address the unique risks of stablecoins, blockchain-based payments, and virtual asset service providers (VASPs). This is not a “maintain what exists” role – it’s a build-and-lead mission where you define how compliance should work under a new regulatory paradigm.
About Wise and Its Mission
Wise is a global technology company on a mission to create the best way to move and manage money across borders. With a focus on:
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Min fees – lowering the cost of international payments
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Max ease – making transfers and multi-currency management simple
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Full speed – pushing toward instant, low-friction payments
Wise helps individuals and businesses send, spend, receive, and manage money internationally in a transparent, convenient way.
Joining Wise in a senior compliance role means:
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Being part of a company building a new network for the world’s money, including stablecoin and virtual asset rails
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Operating at the intersection of fintech innovation and regulatory expectations
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Working in a culture that values transparency, customer focus, and bold, mission-driven thinking
Wise is also strongly committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Teams are intentionally international and inclusive, ensuring that every “Wiser” can contribute, feel respected, and grow in their career.
Available and Related Roles at Wise
Alongside Compliance Senior Manager Dubai jobs, Wise regularly hires for related positions across risk, compliance, and product areas, such as:
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Compliance Manager – Financial Crime
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Head of Compliance – Regional or Global Remit
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Risk Manager – AML/CFT and Sanctions
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Product Compliance Specialist – Crypto or Virtual Assets
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Regulatory Affairs Manager – Licensing and Supervisory Engagement
These roles may sit in different hubs and cover various parts of Wise’s global money movement network, from traditional fiat payments to newer virtual asset services.
See more jobs in Dubai if you want to explore additional senior roles in fintech compliance and risk.
Job Description – What This Virtual Assets Compliance Role Is About
This Compliance Senior Manager – VACO role is about building and leading a high-impact compliance framework for Wise’s stablecoin and virtual asset services in Dubai.
You will:
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Serve as the designated Virtual Asset Compliance Officer (VACO) required by VARA
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Own Wise’s relationship with VARA for licensing, supervision, and strategic engagement
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Design a scalable compliance program suited to virtual assets, stablecoins, and the UAE’s evolving regulatory landscape
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Integrate Wise’s global compliance posture with local VARA rules, UAE AML/CFT regulations, and FATF recommendations for VASPs
This role is ideal for a senior compliance professional who:
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Has deep, hands-on experience in the virtual assets / crypto sector
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Understands the regulatory expectations around VASPs, stablecoins, and blockchain analytics
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Wants to shape a compliance function from the ground up instead of merely inheriting legacy structures
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Can confidently advise boards, senior management, and product leaders in a fast-moving fintech environment
Key Job Responsibilities
1. Regulatory Oversight and Licensing
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Act as the designated VACO as required by VARA, holding ultimate responsibility for the integrity and effectiveness of Wise’s virtual assets compliance framework in Dubai.
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Own the relationship with VARA for:
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Licensing activities
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Regulatory reporting and periodic returns
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On-site and off-site examinations
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Strategic supervisory dialogue
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Build and maintain a robust, scalable compliance program aligned with VARA’s framework and any related UAE regulations.
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Oversee the maintenance and ongoing health of Wise’s VARA license, monitoring regulatory developments and advising the business on their implications.
2. Governance and Advisory to the Business
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Localise and implement Wise’s global compliance policies to ensure they are fit for purpose in Dubai and compliant with VARA rules.
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Develop and deliver targeted training for the Board and senior management on:
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VARA’s regulatory framework
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Unique risks associated with stablecoins and virtual assets
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Report directly to the Board and senior leadership on:
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The health of the compliance program
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Emerging risks
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Effectiveness of controls and key risk indicators
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Act as a strategic advisor to the business, providing practical compliance guidance on:
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New virtual asset product development
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Market expansion opportunities
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Risk appetite decisions and mitigation options
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3. Financial Crime Compliance for Virtual Assets
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Design and manage a financial crime risk management framework tailored to virtual assets, incorporating:
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Blockchain analytics and transaction monitoring
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Travel Rule compliance
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Counterparty VASP due diligence and risk assessment
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Own the Suspicious Activity Reporting process (SAR/STR) and manage interactions with the UAE Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU).
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Establish risk-based procedures for Customer Due Diligence (CDD) and Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD), acting as escalation point for high-risk customer approvals.
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Regularly assess money laundering, terrorist financing, and sanctions risks associated with Wise’s virtual asset products and services.
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Implement systems and Key Risk Indicators (KRIs) that track and monitor regulatory and financial crime risks in real time.
4. Building and Leading the Compliance Function
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Set the blueprint for how Wise’s virtual asset compliance function should operate in Dubai.
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Collaborate closely with global teams in Product, Legal, Operations, and Engineering to embed compliance into product design rather than bolting it on later.
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Create a culture of proactive risk identification, open communication, and continuous improvement within the compliance and broader business teams.
Why This Compliance Senior Manager Dubai Job Stands Out
For experienced compliance professionals, Compliance Senior Manager Dubai jobs at Wise offer several unique advantages:
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Ground-up build opportunity: You get to design the VARA-aligned compliance framework for stablecoins and virtual assets almost from scratch, rather than inheriting a legacy system.
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Pioneering regulatory landscape: Dubai’s VARA is one of the most forward-looking virtual asset regulators. Operating here gives you front-row seats in a global regulatory transformation.
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High-impact mission: Your work directly supports Wise’s goal to make money instant, convenient, and transparent worldwide, now extended into the virtual assets realm.
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Strong compensation and equity: A competitive salary band of 536,000 – 841,000 AED annually plus a generous stock options package reflects the seniority and impact of the role.
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Cross-functional collaboration: You partner with product managers, engineers, lawyers, and operations leads, ensuring compliance is part of the innovation process, not a blocker.
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Growth mindset culture: Wise looks for leaders who are pragmatic and solution-oriented, willing to challenge old assumptions while still meeting and exceeding regulatory expectations.
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Inclusive, global environment: With truly international teams and a strong focus on diversity and inclusion, you join a culture where varied perspectives are seen as strengths.
If you want to be at the intersection of crypto, regulation, and real-world payments in a brand that genuinely moves billions globally, this role is a standout career move.
Requirements and Eligibility
To succeed in this Compliance Senior Manager Dubai job, Wise expects a blend of technical expertise, leadership, and hands-on crypto experience.
Experience
You should have:
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Minimum 8 years of experience in a regulatory or financial crime compliance role;
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Or at least 5 years of relevant experience combined with a professional certification such as:
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Certified Cryptoasset Financial Crime Compliance (CCFCC)
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Chainalysis Reactor Certification (CRC)
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Demonstrable, direct, hands-on experience in the virtual assets / cryptocurrency sector, with real exposure to:
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Blockchain-based products
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VASPs
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Stablecoins and related risk profiles
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Knowledge and Technical Skills
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Strong, practical understanding of:
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UAE AML/CFT regulations
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FATF Recommendations for Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs)
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Virtual asset-specific risks and industry best practices
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Experience with the VARA framework is a significant advantage.
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Proven ability to build and manage a compliance program, including:
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Policy writing
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Risk assessment
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Regulatory engagement and supervisory communication
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Soft Skills and Mindset
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A genuine growth mindset, with passion for scaling Wise’s mission in a compliant yet innovative way.
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Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
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Ability to influence and build trust with senior stakeholders, including Board members and external regulators.
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Comfortable working autonomously in a fast-paced, time-sensitive environment, making sound judgments with incomplete information.
Location and Work Setup
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The role is based in Dubai, with Wise’s broader global teams available for collaboration across time zones.
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The nature of the work implies close and frequent engagement with VARA and other UAE authorities, as well as Wise teams globally.
How to Apply for Compliance Senior Manager Dubai Jobs at Wise
If this Compliance Senior Manager Dubai job aligns with your expertise and career goals, here is how you can position yourself: Click here!
Apply as early as possible to maximise your chances, especially given the seniority and niche nature of this role in the virtual assets space.
FAQs About Compliance Senior Manager Dubai Jobs
1. Is crypto or virtual asset experience mandatory for this role?
Yes. This position is specifically focused on stablecoins and virtual asset services. You need direct, hands-on experience in the virtual assets / cryptocurrency sector and a strong understanding of its key risks, controls, and best practices.
2. Does Wise require formal certifications for this job?
Formal certifications are not strictly mandatory if you have at least 8 years of strong compliance experience. However, with 5+ years of experience, Wise looks for relevant certifications such as CCFCC or CRC, which demonstrate specialised expertise in crypto financial crime and blockchain analytics.
3. How senior is this Compliance Senior Manager Dubai role?
This is a senior leadership role. You will act as the designated VACO for VARA, report to the Board and senior leadership, and own Wise’s relationship with VARA for virtual asset services. It’s not just operational; it’s strategic and highly visible.
4. What financial crime responsibilities will I handle?
You will design and manage a virtual asset-focused financial crime framework, including AML, CFT, sanctions, blockchain analytics, Travel Rule implementation, VASP due diligence, and the SAR/STR process with the UAE FIU. You will also set risk-based CDD and EDD processes and define KRIs to monitor risk.
5. Is this role suitable for someone coming from a traditional banking compliance background with no crypto exposure?
Traditional banking compliance experience is valuable, but without substantial virtual asset / crypto experience, this role may not be the best fit. Wise is specifically looking for someone who understands both the regulatory side and the technical realities of blockchain-based services.
For senior compliance leaders who want to stand at the frontier of virtual asset regulation, stablecoins, and global payments innovation, Compliance Senior Manager Dubai jobs like this VACO role at Wise offer a high-impact platform to shape the future of compliant, borderless money.