Chief Risk Officer (CRO)

Role Overview:

The Chief Risk Officer (CRO) is responsible for leading Joud’s enterprise risk management function, ensuring that all operational, credit, regulatory, and strategic risks are proactively identified, assessed, and mitigated. As a BNPL (Buy Now, Pay Later) fintech operating under QCB’s regulatory framework, Joud requires a CRO who can implement rigorous controls, particularly around consumer credit risk, fraud detection, regulatory risk, and data protection. This role is critical to building a trustworthy, secure, and scalable platform as Joud expands across Qatar and the wider MENA region.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design and implement an enterprise-wide risk management framework that aligns with QCB guidelines, fintech standards, and Joud’s business strategy.
• Develop credit risk policies, including automated credit scoring models, customer segmentation, payment behavior analysis, and merchant risk onboarding frameworks.
• Oversee the creation of internal risk controls for operational, IT, and cyber risk, ensuring protection against system failures, data breaches, and downtime.
• Lead the company's fraud prevention and detection efforts, collaborating with data and compliance teams to monitor and investigate suspicious behavior.
• Monitor macroeconomic, regulatory, and industry risks that could impact Joud’s BNPL product offerings and market stability.
• Conduct periodic risk assessments across all departments and functions and lead company-wide risk workshops or simulations.
• Ensure compliance with QCB’s overall regulations, reporting obligations, and ongoing regulatory assessments.
• Establish key risk indicators (KRIs) and risk tolerance thresholds; report on them regularly to the CEO and Board.
• Collaborate with legal and compliance teams to assess third-party risks from vendors, payment processors, and data handlers.
• Guide the implementation of a business continuity and disaster recovery plan, ensuring readiness and resilience.
• Represent the risk function in meetings with auditors, regulators, and investors, providing transparency into Joud’s risk posture.
• Lead and mentor the risk team, fostering a culture of accountability, integrity, and proactive risk ownership across the company

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Risk Management, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.
• Advanced degree ( MBA, MSc Risk, or FRM/CISA/CIRM certifications) strongly preferred.
• Minimum 8+ years of experience in enterprise risk management, preferably in fintech, banking, payments, or consumer credit.
• Solid understanding of Qatar Central Bank regulations, including risk reporting formats.
• Demonstrated experience in credit risk modeling, fraud analytics, and data-driven risk scoring methodologies.
• Familiarity with ISO 31000, COSO framework, and other risk management standards.

Key Competencies & Skills:

• Strategic and analytical thinking with a risk-aware mindset
• Deep knowledge of digital finance and BNPL risk dynamics
• Proficiency in risk modeling tools and platforms
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• Cross-functional leadership and mentoring ability
• Strong grasp of cybersecurity and data protection risks
• High integrity and attention to detail in high-pressure environments

Job Type: Full-time