Risk Director / Chief Risk Officer (Regulated Financial Services)

Risk Director / Chief Risk Officer (Regulated Financial Services) – Bahrain Function: Risk Management Location: Bahrain DCS Card Centre is a financial institution founded in 1973 and formerly known as Diners Club Singapore. We bring decades of expertise and commitment to payments, and innovative digital solutions to DeCard. With a strong heritage rooted in the space, our expertise in delivering secure, reliable, and cutting-edge payment solutions is licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and governed under the Banking Act. Reporting Line Functionally to the Board of Directors and Board Risk Committee Administratively to the CEO Regulatory Status CBB-approved Senior Management / Controlled Function covering: Payment Service Provider (PSP) Crypto-Asset Service Provider (CRA) Role Overview The CRO will lead the Company's independent Risk Management function across its regulated PSP and crypto-asset businesses in Bahrain. The role is responsible for establishing and maintaining the enterprise risk management framework, risk appetite, policies, controls, monitoring, reporting, and governance processes. The CRO will advise and challenge senior management on all material risks while ensuring compliance with Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) requirements. Key Responsibilities Enterprise Risk Management Develop and maintain the enterprise-wide risk management framework. Identify, assess, monitor, mitigate, and report material risks. Maintain risk registers, KRIs, risk limits, and escalation processes. Drive a strong risk culture across the organization. Risk Governance & Oversight Recommend and monitor risk appetite and risk limits. Independently challenge business decisions that may create excessive risk. Escalate material risk issues directly to the Board and Risk Committee when required. Ensure independence from revenue-generating activities. PSP Risk Management Oversee risks relating to: Operations and transaction processing Safeguarding and client money Liquidity and settlement Banking partners and counterparties Merchant and card scheme relationships Fraud and financial crime Cybersecurity and information security Business continuity and operational resilience Third-party and outsourcing arrangements Regulatory and reputational risk Crypto Risk Management Oversee risks relating to: Market and liquidity risk Custody and safeguarding Wallet and private key management Counterparty and settlement risk Cybersecurity and technology risk Liquidity providers and trading counterparties Outsourcing and concentration risk Crypto regulatory and operational risk New Products & Change Management Conduct risk assessments for new products, services, markets, technology changes, and outsourcing arrangements. Provide independent risk review and approval recommendations. Monitor post-implementation risk performance. Capital, Liquidity & Stress Testing Support capital and liquidity planning. Develop risk limits and stress-testing frameworks. Monitor financial resilience and counterparty exposure. Present stress-testing results and recommendations to senior management and the Board. Regulatory & Board Engagement Maintain compliance with CBB risk management requirements. Support regulatory inspections, reviews, and licensing matters. Prepare Board and Risk Committee reports on risk exposures, incidents, emerging risks, and remediation activities. Risk Function Leadership Lead and develop the Risk Management team. Ensure adequate resources, systems, governance, and expertise. Collaborate with Compliance, MLRO, Internal Audit, Finance, Operations, and Technology teams. Requirements Experience 8+ years of risk management experience within regulated financial services. Experience in payments, fintech, banking, capital markets, digital assets, or crypto businesses. Previous experience leading a risk management function. Direct exposure to PSP, electronic payments, card payments, acquiring, issuing, or crypto businesses is highly preferred. Education & Certifications Bachelor's degree or above in Finance, Risk Management, Economics, Accounting, Mathematics, Business, or related discipline. Professional certifications preferred: FRM PRM CFA ARM IRM qualifications Knowledge & Skills Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Risk Appetite Frameworks & KRIs Operational, Liquidity, Market, Counterparty and Cyber Risk PSP and payment ecosystem risk Crypto and digital asset risk Stress testing and scenario analysis Corporate governance and three-lines-of-defense model Strong Board and regulator-facing communication skills Knowledge of Bahrain regulatory environment and CBB requirements Key Success Factors Strong stakeholder management skills with the confidence to influence executive decision-making Strong regulatory and governance mindset. Proven leadership and team management capability. Experience working with both payments and digital asset businesses. Capable of engaging effectively with Boards Learn more on LinkedIn Decard & website: DCS Card Centre Show more Show less