Manager – Supervision (Intermediary)

Role Overview

Manager – Supervision (Intermediary) at the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA), Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Company Overview

The FSRA is responsible for the regulation of Financial Services activities in 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.

Role Purpose

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.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Risk Management and Supervision

• Implement operational risk management frameworks specific to intermediary firms carrying out regulated activities in relation to Virtual Assets and Fiat-Referenced Tokens.
• Translate the FSRA and ADGM requirements into tailored policies and procedures for supervised entities.
• Conduct regular desk-based reviews, on-site inspections, and monitoring activities.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of compliance, governance, systems and controls for mitigating risks for supervised intermediary firms.
• Undertake supervisory reviews and handle regulatory queries.
• Maintain accountability and ensure alignment with ADGM's supervisory approach and objectives.

Reporting and Analysis

• Support reporting duties, including analysis of regulatory returns and coordination of risk mitigation strategies in partnership with higher management.
• Contribute to monthly, quarterly and annual reporting by Fintech.
• Maintain ability to interpret financial and operational data, design monitoring plans, and implement corrective actions.

Compliance Oversight

• Assign authority, responsibility, and oversight to ensure intermediary firms comply with prudential and conduct risk standards, including financial crime, governance, and operational resilience.
• Ensure appropriate management oversight for risks inherent in supervised activities and compliance with the FSRA's regulatory obligations.
• Coordinate with firms' compliance functions and oversee regulatory reporting.
• Manage external service providers to support supervisory oversight responsibilities.

Strategic Development

• Continuously improve intermediary supervision practices to ensure that ADGM takes a leading role in virtual asset and stablecoin-related market developments.
• Actively engage with local, regional, and international stakeholders, regulatory bodies, and senior industry figures.
• Keep up to date and advise Line Management on changes to regulations and policy that will impact Fintech functions.
• Coordinate with other FSRA units for holistic oversight.

People Management

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

Information Security

• Understand, adopt, adhere to and practice responsibilities and controls as per ADGM Information Security policy and as per best practices explained in induction and awareness sessions.
• Maintain confidentiality, integrity and availability of ADGM information at all times, both within and outside ADGM.

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum Bachelor's degree.
• Professionally qualified in one of the following disciplines: Finance, computer science/engineering, business, or related field.
• 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.
• Detail-oriented, with an ability to assess governance and control frameworks.

Skills & Competencies

• Effective team management, interpersonal, and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to interpret financial and operational data, design monitoring plans, and implement corrective actions.
• Ability to coordinate with firms' compliance functions, oversee regulatory reporting, and manage external service providers.

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.