Head of Trading Platform - Crypto Exchange (UAE)
On-site | UAE | Crypto/Fintech | Senior Leadership | UAE Residence is a must
About the Opportunity
We are a recruitment partner supporting a fintech company in the final stages of launching a regulated cryptocurrency exchange in the UAE (CMA licence).
The company is building a fully compliant trading platform designed to serve both retail and institutional clients under the UAE regulatory framework.
As part of the licensing process, they are assembling a core leadership team and are looking for a Head of Trading Platform - a critical role responsible for the performance, resilience, and regulatory compliance of the exchange’s trading infrastructure.
Why This Role Is Unique
Own and build the trading platform function in a regulated crypto exchange.
Act as a key senior management role accountable to the UAE regulator (CMA).
Join at an early stage with strong growth ambitions.
High level of ownership over trading systems, performance, and market integrity.
Direct impact on platform scalability, stability, and regulatory compliance.
What You Will Be Doing
Trading Platform Strategy & Leadership
Define and execute the trading platform strategy aligned with business and regulatory requirements.
Build and lead the trading platform function, including operations and market controls.
Collaborate with Compliance, Risk, Operations, and Technology teams.
Ensure strong governance focused on market fairness, stability, and transparency.
Platform Performance & Infrastructure
Oversee the design, scalability, and performance of trading systems (matching engine, OMS, APIs).
Ensure platform resilience, latency management, and high availability under peak conditions.
Participate in technology roadmap decisions, including vendor selection and integrations.
Maintain high standards for system reliability and operational efficiency.
Market Integrity & Surveillance
Ensure fair, orderly, and transparent market operations in line with CMA requirements.
Implement and oversee market surveillance frameworks to detect:
-market manipulation.
-abusive trading practices.
-suspicious activity
Define procedures for trading halts, circuit breakers, and trade corrections
Escalate and report market integrity issues to Compliance and regulators
Operational Resilience & Incident Management
Own incident management processes, including outages and root cause analysis.
Ensure Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery (BCP/DR) frameworks are in place and tested.
Lead response during critical incidents and ensure proper escalation.
Conduct regular stress testing and failover exercises.
Risk & Regulatory Compliance
Identify and manage risks related to trading platform operations.
Work with Risk teams on KRIs, thresholds, and risk frameworks.
Ensure compliance with CMA requirements related to trading systems, audit trails, and change management.
Support audits, inspections, and regulatory reviews.
Regulatory Interaction & Reporting
Act as the main point of contact with the CMA on trading platform matters.
Ensure timely reporting of incidents, system changes, and market disruptions.
Maintain accurate records of orders, executions, and system activity.
Ensure full transparency and auditability of platform operations.
What We Are Looking For
10+ years of experience in trading platforms, exchanges, or fintech.
5+ years in a senior leadership role managing trading systems or infrastructure.
Strong experience in regulated financial environments (CMA or equivalent).
Deep understanding of trading systems, market structure, and execution models.
Experience with market surveillance and market abuse prevention.
Proven ability to manage high-impact incidents and operate under pressure.
Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills.
Fluent English (Arabic is a plus).
Nice to Have
Experience with regulated exchanges or trading venues.
Background in crypto markets or digital asset trading.
Experience with market surveillance tools and technologies.
Involvement in regulatory inspections or incident reporting.
Location & Conditions
📍 Abu Dhabi, UAE - on-site role.
🏠 UAE residency required (or willingness to relocate).
💰 Competitive compensation, discussed individually.
Why Join Us
Opportunity to build and own a critical trading function from day one.
Direct exposure to regulators and executive leadership.
Join a high-growth crypto business entering a regulated market.
Work in a high-impact role with real ownership and decision-making power.
Please note: this role is subject to regulatory approval. Certain restrictions may apply based on regulatory requirements.