Head of Treasury — Crypto Exchange (UAE)

Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE (on-site)
Timezone: GMT+3
Employment Type: Full-time
Level: Senior Management

About the Opportunity

We are a recruitment agency partnering with a fintech company that is launching a regulated cryptocurrency exchange in the United Arab Emirates.

Our client is currently in the final stages of obtaining a Capital Markets Authority (CMA) license and is building out its core leadership team as part of the regulatory approval process.

The business is backed by founders with a proven track record of building and scaling a profitable crypto exchange operating in the CIS region. The new platform will leverage an already tested technology stack and operational model, with a clear 5-year growth strategy and an ambition to reach IPO.

We are now looking for a Head of Treasury — a key senior management function holder who will be responsible for liquidity, client asset safeguarding, and treasury operations, with direct accountability to the regulator.

Role Overview

This is a critical regulatory and operational leadership role, responsible for ensuring:

• Full protection and segregation of client assets

• Strong liquidity management across fiat and digital assets

• Compliance with CMA requirements and regulatory standards

You will act as a designated senior manager accountable to the regulator and play a key role in building the treasury function from the ground up.

What You Will Be Doing

Treasury Strategy & Liquidity

• Define and execute treasury strategy aligned with regulatory and business requirements

• Manage liquidity across fiat and digital assets

• Design liquidity buffers for normal operations and stress scenarios

• Implement stress testing and contingency funding plans

Client Asset Safeguarding & Custody

• Design and implement client asset segregation frameworks (client vs company funds)

• Oversee custody setup, wallet structures, and banking arrangements

• Ensure accurate reconciliation between:

  • on-chain vs off-chain balances

  • internal ledgers vs external custodians/banks

Treasury Operations

• Oversee daily treasury activities:

  • cash management

  • crypto asset transfers

  • settlements

• Implement dual control, approval workflows, and access controls

• Manage relationships with banks, custodians, PSPs, and liquidity providers

Governance, Policies & Reporting

• Establish and maintain treasury-related policies:

  • Treasury Policy

  • Client Asset Safeguarding Policy

  • Liquidity Risk Management Policy

• Ensure policies are CMA-compliant and board-approved

• Provide regular reporting to senior management and the Board on liquidity position, asset balances, and treasury risks

Risk Management

• Identify and manage treasury-related risks:

  • liquidity

  • counterparty

  • custody and operational risks

• Define risk appetite and exposure limits

• Monitor counterparties and financial partners

Regulatory & Compliance

• Act as a key point of contact with the CMA

• Support regulatory inspections, audits, and reporting

• Ensure compliance with client asset protection and operational control requirements

Must-Have Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in treasury, finance, or asset management

• 5+ years in a leadership role (Head / Director level)

• Experience in a regulated financial environment:

  • banking

  • fintech / payment providers

  • brokerage (FX / CFD)

  • crypto exchange

• Strong experience with:

  • liquidity management

  • client asset safeguarding / client money

  • treasury operations and settlements

• Experience working under financial services regulation (CMA, FCA, MAS, DFSA, or equivalent)

• Hands-on approach with strong ownership and accountability

Nice to Have

• Experience in crypto exchanges or digital asset platforms

• Familiarity with custody solutions (wallets, MPC, custodians)

• Experience interacting directly with regulators

• Arabic language skills

Not a Fit

This role is not suitable for candidates with:

• purely corporate treasury background (e.g. internal cash management, FX hedging)

• accounting-focused roles without exposure to client funds

• no experience in regulated financial environments

Location & Relocation

• This is an on-site role in Abu Dhabi due to regulatory requirements

• Candidates should either:

  • already be based in the UAE

  • or be open to relocation

• Our client provides:

  • relocation support

  • visa sponsorship

  • assistance with housing

Compensation: Competitive, discussed individually. Relocation candidates will receive additional support, including relocation assistance, visa sponsorship, and housing assistance

Why This Role

• Opportunity to join a regulated crypto exchange at launch stage

• Direct exposure to regulator and executive leadership

• Build treasury function from scratch

• Join a business with a clear 5-year growth plan and IPO ambition