Manager - Supervision Intermediary

Job Description

Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) is responsible for the regulation of Financial Services activities in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) - an award winning international financial centre strategically located in the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

ADGM comprises three independent authorities: the Registration Authority (RA), the FSRA, and ADGM Courts. Together, they ensure ADGM operates in accordance with international best practices, recognised by major financial centres worldwide.

The FSRA was established to foster a progressive financial services environment and uphold the integrity of ADGM. Its regulatory frameworks are benchmarked to global standards, ensuring financial entities operate with clarity and certainty, market participants compete on a level playing field, and investor interests are safeguarded.

The Fintech Department, within the Authorisation & Fintech Division of the FSRA, is responsible for the regulatory oversight of intermediary firms conducting regulated activities in relation to Virtual Assets (VAs) and Fiat-Referenced Tokens (FRTs). This includes entities engaged in issuance of FRTs, safekeeping of VAs/FRTs, VA related trading and investments, and other non exchange services.

This Manager role sits within the Fintech Supervision (Intermediary) team and will be directly responsible for the day to day supervisory oversight of VA broker dealer entities. These entities typically carry out regulated activities such as Dealing in Investments (as Principal or Agent) and Providing Custody under a Financial Services Permission (FSP) granted by the FSRA. The role requires navigating complex supervisory challenges posed by virtual asset intermediaries, including systemic risk considerations, cross border regulatory coordination, and technology driven business models.

The role reports to the Senior Manager - Supervision (Intermediary) and requires close collaboration with colleagues across the Authorisation & Fintech division and the wider FSRA.

Operational Responsibilities

• Implements operational risk management frameworks specific to intermediary firms carrying out regulated activities in relation to Virtual Assets and Fiat Referenced Tokens, translating the FSRA and ADGM requirements into tailored policies and procedures for supervised entities.
• Conducts regular desk based reviews, on site inspections, and monitoring activities, evaluating the effectiveness of compliance, governance, systems and controls for mitigating risks for supervised intermediary firms.
• Supports reporting duties, including analysis of regulatory returns and coordination of risk mitigation strategies in partnership with higher management.
• Maintains accountability and ensures alignment with ADGM's supervisory approach and objectives.
• Undertakes supervisory reviews, handles regulatory queries, and coordinates with other FSRA units for holistic oversight.
• Contributes to monthly, quarterly and annual reporting by Fintech.
• Keeps up to date and advises Line Management on changes to the regulations and policy that will impact Fintech functions.

Strategic Responsibilities

• Assigns authority, responsibility, and oversight to ensure intermediary firms comply with prudential and conduct risk standards, including financial crime, governance, and operational resilience.
• Continuously improves intermediary supervision practices to ensure that ADGM takes a leading role in virtual asset and stable coin related market developments.
• Actively engages with local, regional, and international stakeholders, regulatory bodies, and senior industry figures.

People Management

• Supports the Senior Manager in ensuring that Supervision (Intermediary) operates responsibly and proficiently.
• Embeds the culture and vision in Fintech by role modeling organisational behaviours through performance management, feedback and coaching.

Information Security Related

• Understands, adopts, adheres to and practices responsibilities or controls as per ADGM Information Security policy and as per best practices explained in the induction and awareness sessions.
• Maintains the confidentiality, integrity and availability of the ADGM Information at all times, within as well as outside ADGM.

Education

• Minimum Bachelor's degree.
• Professionally qualified in one of the following disciplines: Finance, computer science/engineering, business, or related field.

Work Experience

• 8 10+ years' experience in regulatory supervision, compliance oversight, or internal audit for intermediary firms or similar capital markets regulated entities.
• Strong working knowledge of operational risk frameworks, policies, and regulatory reporting requirements.
• Effective team management, interpersonal, and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to interpret financial and operational data, design monitoring plans, and implement corrective actions.
• Detail oriented, with an ability to assess governance and control frameworks.
• Coordinates with firms' compliance functions, oversees regulatory reporting, and may manage external service providers to support supervisory oversight responsibilities.
• Ensures appropriate management oversight for risks inherent in supervised activities and compliance with the FSRA's regulatory obligations.

Desirable

• Regulatory or compliance certifications (e.g., ICA, ACAMS), postgraduate degree, or equivalent.
• Previous experience working in or directly with financial services regulatory authorities.
• Experience in leading thematic or ad hoc risk based reviews and regulatory engagements.
• Familiarity with supervisory technology (SupTech) and regulatory technology (RegTech) systems.
• Arabic language skills.
• Familiarity with ADGM specific rules and business culture.
• Exposure to international regulatory engagement and policy development.

About Us

The FSRA was established to advocate a progressive financial services environment and uphold the integrity of ADGM. The FSRA's policies are aligned with internationally recognised standards and ensure that financial entities operate with certainty, market participants thrive in an equal level playing environment, and the interests of investors are safeguarded.

About the Team

Abu Dhabi Global Market is an award winning international financial centre strategically located in the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

Established by UAE Federal Decree, ADGM's jurisdiction extends across the entire 114 hectares of Al Maryah Island.

ADGM's three independent authorities - the Registration Authority (RA), the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) and ADGM Courts - together ensure that its business friendly environment operates in line with international best practices, recognised by major financial centres worldwide.