Chief Technology Officer

We are establishing a next-generation financial services group in the United Arab Emirates comprising a licensed Money Services Operator (MSO) and Investment Dealer. Our vision is to build one of the region’s most advanced digital financial platforms, delivering seamless customer experiences through secure, scalable, and innovative technologyResponsibilities* Define the enterprise technology roadmap and digital strategy.* Design the architecture for mobile applications, web portals, APIs, cloud infrastructure, and enterprise systems.* Lead end-to-end vendor selection, RFP preparation, technical evaluation, contract negotiations, and delivery governance.* Ensure technology solutions are scalable, secure, and compliant with regulatory requirements.* Oversee development of customer mobile applications (iOS and Android), web portals, internal administration platforms, and partner integration portals.* Design and oversee API integrations with banking systems, payment gateways, AML/KYC providers, identity verification platforms, CRM, ERP, accounting systems, and third-party financial services.* Define cybersecurity standards, cloud infrastructure, disaster recovery, business continuity, and information security policies.* Establish technology governance, architecture standards, and software development lifecycle processes.* Build and lead the internal technology team while managing external development partners.* Report directly to executive management and provide regular updates on project progress, risks, and technology investments.Qualifications* Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Software Engineering, or related discipline.* Master’s degree preferred.* 15–20 years of overall technology experience.* At least 8 years in senior technology leadership roles.* Proven experience delivering large-scale digital banking, fintech, payments, securities trading, investment platforms, or cryptocurrency exchange systems.* Experience managing enterprise software vendors and offshore development teams.* Strong knowledge of cloud-native architecture, cybersecurity, API ecosystems, and enterprise integration.* Experience working with regulated financial institutions is highly desirable.Preferred Certifications* AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional* CISSP* CISM* PMP* TOGAF* ITIL