CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER (EMIRATI)

Confidential Company; Dubai; On-site; AED 900,000 - 1,700,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential Company in the UAE seeks a Chief Operating Officer to shape and drive the operational strategy across banking activities, ensuring regulatory compliance and strong service delivery.

The role requires extensive banking operations experience, transformation expertise, and a track record of leading teams in UAE or international environments; you will oversee onboarding, payments, clearing, and risk controls while advancing digital initiatives.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8–10 years of banking experience, with at least 3 years in a senior leadership role in UAE.
• Proven experience in banking operations, transformation and process improvement.
• Strong experience interacting with regulators, auditors and senior management.
• Experience with foreign banks or multinational banking groups is preferred.
• Mandatory Bachelor's Degree in Business Management, Banking, Finance or related discipline.
• Preferred Master's Degree / MBA; PMP certification desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the Bank's operational strategy in alignment with business objectives, regulatory requirements, and group standards.
• Lead and oversee banking operations including customer onboarding, deposits, payments, clearing and settlement.
• Drive digital transformation, automation, process re-engineering, and implementation of new banking technologies.
• Ensure regulatory compliance; lead inspections, reviews, and remediation activities.
• Oversee outsourcing, vendor management, and service delivery relationships.
• Support growth initiatives, new product launches, expansion, and cross-functional projects.
• Lead talent development, succession planning, leadership coaching, and Emiratization efforts.
• Maintain strong operational risk management, internal controls, and business continuity.

Skills

Banking operations

Transformation

Regulatory interaction

Vendor management

Digital banking

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Business Management, Banking, Finance

Master's Degree / MBA

PMP certification

Job description

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

EMIRATI Industry Banking Financial Services Location UAE Employment Type Full-time Nationality UAE National Emirati with Family Book Khulasat Al Qaid Maximum Age 50 Years

A leading financial institution in the UAE is seeking experienced Emirati banking professionals for senior leadership positions within its UAE operations

Position Overview

The Chief Operating Officer will be responsible for developing and executing the Bank s operational strategy driving operational excellence ensuring regulatory compliance leading transformation initiatives and strengthening service delivery across banking operations

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the Bank s operational strategy in alignment with business objectives regulatory requirements and Group standards Lead and oversee banking operations including Customer onboardingDeposit acquisitionPaymentsClearing settlementRegulatory projectsDrive operational excellence productivity and cost efficiency through process optimization and continuous improvement Ensure compliance with UAE banking regulations internal policies and governance frameworks Lead regulatory inspections reviews and related remediation activities Drive digital transformation automation process re-engineering system enhancements and implementation of new banking technologies Monitor operational performance and service quality ensuring continuous improvement in customer experience and issue resolution Manage relationships with regulators government authorities vendors and outsourced service providers Support business growth initiatives new product launches business expansion and strategic cross-functional projects Lead talent development succession planning leadership coaching and workforce capability building Support and contribute to the Bank s Emiratization initiatives Ensure effective operational risk management internal controls and business continuity practices

Minimum Requirements

• Minimum 8–10 years of banking experience.Minimum 3 years in a senior leadership position within the UAE banking industry.
• Proven experience in banking operations, transformation and process improvement.
• Strong experience interacting with regulators, auditors and senior management.
• Experience with foreign banks, multinational banking groups or international banking environments will be preferred.

Technical & Functional Knowledge

• UAE banking regulations and operational requirements
• Banking operations and transaction processing
• Operational risk management
• Business continuity and disaster recovery
• Digital banking and operational technologies
• Outsourcing and vendor management
• Internal controls and governance
• AML, KYC, sanctions and customer due diligence
• Project and change management

Educational Qualification

Mandatory: Bachelor's Degree in Business Management, Banking, Finance or a relevant discipline.

Preferred: Master's Degree / MBA

Desirable Professional Certifications: Certified Banking Professional Project Management Professional (PMP)