Associate Director Education Sector - Emiratized Role

First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB); Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 500,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) seeks an Associate Director to drive financial analysis, structure credit facilities, and manage day-to-day relationships within the Education sector in Abu Dhabi. You will work with product teams to navigate risk, ensure KYC/AML compliance, and pursue NTB growth.

With 5–7 years in Corporate Banking or related fields, you will model financials, assess risks, and coordinate internal approvals while expanding cross-sell opportunities across banking products.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Business Management, or related quantitative field.
• Strong knowledge of Wholesale Banking credit structures, market solutions, and corporate strategy.
• Experience with Education sector clients (K-12, Higher Ed, Nurseries).
• Proficient in financial modeling, corporate risk analysis, and Treasury/FX hedging concepts.
• Excellent communication and internal diplomacy to influence committees.
• 5–7 years in Corporate Banking Coverage, Structured Finance, or Investment Banking.

Responsibilities

• Lead detailed financial analysis on clients and sub-sectors to identify opportunities and mitigate risks.
• Prepare end-to-end transaction documentation including credit applications, term sheets, and letters.
• Assess credit, market, and operational risks with risk and product teams.
• Coordinate with KYC for timely periodic reviews.
• Ensure credit reviews and renewals comply with covenants.
• Maintain credit quality and regulatory compliance across the portfolio.
• Identify NTB opportunities with education sector clients and cross-sell WB products.
• Own transaction administration, client communications, onboarding, and account openings.

Skills

Financial analysis

Credit structuring

Risk assessment

KYC compliance

Stakeholder management

Treasury/FX

Education

Bachelor's in Finance

Job description

Job Description:

JOB SUMMARY / INTRODUCTION

To drive the financial analysis, structural execution, and day-to-day management of an account portfolio within the Education sector. The Associate Director acts as the execution engine for the department, collaborating closely with product partners to structure credit facilities, support completion of regular KYC reviews and STRs raised, navigate internal risk and compliance grids, and identify cross-sell opportunities. While supporting the Director on mega-mandates, the AD is independently responsible for managing mid-market client relationships and delivering targeted revenue and New-to-Bank (NTB) growth.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead detailed financial analysis conducted on clients and their respective sub-sectors (K-12, Higher Ed, Nurseries) to identify commercial opportunities and mitigate structural risks.
• Prepare end-to-end transaction documentation including complex credit applications, term sheets, information memoranda, and mandate letters.
• Assess and address credit, market, and operational risks in active collaboration with risk and product enablement teams.
• Take ownership of coordinating with the KYC team to ensure the timely completion of periodic KYC reviews for all clients within the portfolio.
• Ensure all credit reviews and annual renewals are submitted promptly and comply with agreed covenant conditions.
• Maintain excellent credit quality, compliance and AML approvlas across the assigned portfolio in strict compliance with bank standards and regulatory targets.
• Identify and secure New-to-Bank (NTB) business with targeted educational corporate clients.
• Drive maximum cross-selling velocity across WBG products, heavily focusing on Global Transaction Banking (tuition collection infrastructure, cash management, liquidity) and Treasury/FX.
• Construct and maintain proactive client account plans to map institutional wallet share.
• Own the day-to-day transaction administration, client communications, onboarding pipelines, and account opening procedures.
• Ensure full execution compliance with mandatory KYC, AML, and regulatory frameworks.
• Maintain satisfactory internal and external audit outcomes for the assigned portfolio by keeping pristine client documentation.
• Credit Technical Ownership: Serves as the primary financial modeler and technical underwriting writer for the education book to accelerate decision-making turnarounds.
• Internal Stakeholder Coordination: Acts as the primary liaison navigating the internal bank matrix (Risk, Legal, Compliance) to clear transactional bottlenecks and fast-track deal approvals.
• Functions within the framework and boundaries of Group policies as well as overall organisational and governance frameworks.

REQUIREMENTS / QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Business Management, or a related quantitative discipline.
• Strong knowledge of Wholesale Banking credit structures, market solutions, and corporate strategies.
• Direct Sector Experience: Must have a proven track record handling corporate clients in the Education sector (understanding their seasonal enrollment cash flows, Capex needs, and regulatory limits).
• Deep proficiency in financial modeling, corporate risk analysis, and Treasury/FX hedging concepts.
• Exceptional communication and internal diplomacy skills to influence internal committees.
• 5-7 years of experience in Corporate Banking Coverage, Structured Finance, or Investment Banking.

Preferred / Beneficial

• Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA) or Finance is highly preferred.
• Formal bank credit training or CFA certification is highly advantageous.

About Us:

First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) is the largest bank in the UAE and one of the worlds largest and safest financial institutions. We offer a comprehensive range of personal and private banking services, including credit cards, Islamic banking, investments, loans, and mortgages. Our commitment to excellence and innovation drives us to provide top-tier financial solutions to our clients.

Life at FAB:

Working at FAB means being part of a team of talented and passionate individuals with a shared vision to support the ambitions of our stakeholders to "Grow Stronger." We embrace the needs of our customers across the globe with a sense of responsibility and confidence driven by extensive expertise that can only be delivered by an ambitious world-class organization

Career Development:

FAB offers unique career choices, a chance to innovate, craft solutions for the future, and express yourself in a performance-based culture that will unleash the best in you. Whether you are an experienced professional or just starting your career, FAB provides a range of learning and development initiatives to support all employees through training and skill development.

Our Values:

At FAB, we place our customers at the core of our activities, live our values each day in every way, celebrate achievements, and empower each other to deliver leading solutions. We have structured plans for the recruitment and career progression of Emirati talent to enable them to make a mark in the financial and banking sector both regionally and globaly that rewards your hard work and dedication.

Join our team and be part of a journey to shape the future of banking.