Senior Digital Assets Expansion Manager

We are establishing a new entity in the UAE to build and offer digital asset services to an international customer base, subject to regulatory approvals from the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA).

We re looking for an entrepreneurial leader to take on the role of Digital Assets Expansion Manager - UAE, based in our Dubai office. You will be the senior executive responsible for launching and leading this new VARA-regulated Broker-Dealer entity. You will build and manage the entity, ensure regulatory compliance, and drive the strategic growth of our digital asset offering for a global customer base.

You ll work closely with the global Grow Squad, an autonomous team within Wise consisting of Product Managers, Designers, Engineers, Product Compliance, and Operations. You ll provide the team with local regulatory and market expertise, shaping the product vision and helping to change the future of finance. This isn t just a job, it s a revolution!

Your Mission:

1 - Launch and Lead a new VARA-Regulated Digital Assets Company

• Lead and manage the end-to-end process of securing a VARA Broker-Dealer license.

• Act as the primary senior executive and accountable mind and management for the UAE entity.

• Build a strong, constructive relationship with VARA and other UAE regulatory authorities to ensure a smooth licensing process and ongoing compliance.

• Ensure the operating model is efficient, scalable, and fully compliant with VARA regulations and aligned with our product and customer needs.

• Source and hire any required local personnel, such as a dedicated Compliance Officer or MLRO, to meet regulatory requirements.

• Liaise closely with global teams across Wise including Product, Engineering, Operations, Finance, and Compliance to ensure the UAE entity has the necessary resources and processes in place to launch and sustain successful operations.

2 - Build Strong Commercial and Operational Partnerships

• Identify and establish relationships with key local partners, including banks and service providers, to optimize the product experience for customers in terms of fiat connectivity and operational resilience.

• Onboard new partners and negotiate contracts, taking into account commercial priorities and regulatory risks.

• Manage existing commercial relationships to ensure they are delivering the best outcomes for our customers.

3 - Drive the Strategic Vision for Global Digital Asset Services

• Shape the product vision and roadmap alongside the Global Product team, focusing on customer needs, regulatory blockers, and strategic opportunities.

• Explore and develop strategies for expanding the services offered by the UAE entity to our global customer base following a successful launch.

• Work closely with the Product Manager and the wider team to prioritize opportunities, taking into consideration the product roadmap, resource allocation, and build requirements.

• Identify and size new product ideas to test, build, and launch from our UAE hub.