Senior Manager, External Affairs - UAE

About the Company

Checkout.com powers payment solutions for globally recognized brands like eBay, Spotify, Klarna, Uber, and Sony. Facilitating over 10 billion transactions annually for over a billion shoppers worldwide, it supports seamless digital experiences such as booking holidays, ordering food, or renewing subscriptions. Headquartered in London with 20 offices across six continents, Checkout.com is a fast-growing fintech leader dedicated to impactful innovation.

Role Overview

As the Senior Manager for External Affairs in the UAE, you will lead Checkout.com's engagement with regulators, governments, and external partners in one of its key regions. This inaugural role in the MENA area offers a unique opportunity to shape the company's public policy and reputation within a strategic growth market. You will collaborate closely with various business units and influence perceptions among government and regulatory bodies while sitting alongside local executives.

Key Responsibilities

• Forge and nurture robust relationships with government agencies, regulators, and strategic third parties to establish Checkout.com as a trusted partner.
• Collaborate with Legal and Compliance teams to manage regulatory inquiries, emphasizing effective narrative and positioning.
• Design and implement advocacy initiatives to advance Checkout.com's regulatory priorities, ensuring favorable commercial results.
• Monitor and assess legislative developments, influencing fintech-related policies in the MENA region before enactment.
• Develop and communicate a tailored external narrative for the UAE market that clearly conveys Checkout.com's story.
• Represent the company at industry associations, forums, and conferences to advocate its interests.

Required Qualifications and Skills

• Extensive experience in external affairs, public affairs agencies, trade bodies, in-house roles, or roles within government or financial regulators.
• Deep knowledge of the UAE's political and regulatory environment, with strong navigation skills of the local landscape.
• Proven ability to cultivate meaningful relationships and influence key decision-makers.
• Capability to interpret complex technical policies and develop actionable strategic plans rapidly, even without prior financial services expertise.
• Demonstrated composure under pressure combined with a pragmatic, solutions-driven mindset.
• Exceptional written communication skills for delivering clear, concise messaging.
• Comfort with employing data to support decisions is highly beneficial.
• Fluency in Business Arabic (both spoken and written) is a significant advantage.
• Experience in FinTech, payments, software, e-commerce, or banking sectors is desirable but not mandatory.
• Background in startup or fast-paced environments is preferred but not essential.

Additional Information

Checkout.com fosters an inclusive environment where high performers receive ownership, minimal obstacles, and meaningful work from day one. The company encourages ambition met with opportunity and supports all employees equally to succeed. They promote accessibility and flexibility, including a hybrid work model requiring three days in-office weekly to bolster collaboration.