Financial Institution Partnership Director

XTransfer; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 80,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dynamic Financial Institution Partnership Director to enhance B2B trade payment solutions in the Middle East. This pivotal role involves building strategic partnerships with local financial institutions and licensed NBFIs, driving collaborative initiatives, and ensuring compliance with regulations. The successful candidate will leverage their extensive experience in the payments or Fintech industry to navigate complex commercial agreements and optimize operational processes. If you are passionate about fostering relationships and driving innovation in financial services, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in strategic partnerships in payments or Fintech.
• Strong understanding of trade payments and compliance regulations.

Responsibilities

• Establish and manage partnerships with local financial institutions.
• Lead implementation of partnership projects ensuring quality and timeliness.

Skills

Partnership Development

Regulatory Compliance

Negotiation Skills

Analytical Skills

Project Management

Cross-Cultural Communication

Job description

Job Summary:

We are looking for a dynamic and experienced Financial Institution Partnership Director to build and nurture key partnerships with local financial institutions (FIs) and licensed Non-Banking Financial Institutions (NBFIs) in the Middle East. The ideal candidate will play a pivotal role in enhancing our B2B trade payment solutions and related services for SMEs by fostering long-term, collaborative relationships and driving the execution of strategic initiatives.

Key Responsibilities:

Partnership Development & Management: Establish and manage strategic partnerships with local financial institutions and licensed NBFIs to enhance our product offerings for B2B trade payments and related services targeted at SMEs.

Market Analysis & Product Strategy: Gain in-depth knowledge of the local banking and Fintech ecosystems, aligning market demand with the company's strategic goals. Identify, evaluate, and onboard the right partners to co-develop new products, negotiate commercial terms, and manage partnership execution from start to finish.

Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with internal teams such as Sales, Operations, Product, Risk, and Compliance to ensure customer-centric product development, smooth operational workflows, and compliance with regulations.

Project Management & Delivery: Lead the implementation of partnership projects, ensuring timely delivery with high-quality standards. Oversee the coordination of legal agreements, product rollouts, and post-launch optimization.

Process Optimization: Continuously assess and identify areas for improvement in payment processes and collaborate with partners to drive operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Compliance & Regulatory Engagement: Maintain ongoing communication with local regulators to stay informed about regulatory changes and compliance requirements related to trade payments and cross-border fund movements, and actively engage with regulators to navigate any regulatory challenges and ensure smooth operations.

Performance Monitoring: Track the performance of partnerships, review success metrics, and hold regular meetings with partners to assess progress and identify opportunities for improvement.

The Successful Candidate:

Experience: Minimum of 8 years of experience working with local financial institutions, licensed NBFIs, or in a similar strategic partnership role in the payments or Fintech industry.

Regulatory Expertise: Strong understanding of local financial regulations and compliance requirements, particularly in the areas of trade payments, cross-border transactions, and payment processing.

Negotiation & Commercial Acumen: Proven experience in negotiating partnership terms, creating proposals, and managing complex commercial agreements.

Cross-Cultural & Cross-Country Efficiency: Ability to manage partnerships across different countries and cultures, ensuring high levels of efficiency, collaboration, and communication.

Problem-Solving & Analytical Skills: Excellent interpersonal skills with a strong ability to think critically, analyse data, and drive solutions in a fast-paced environment.

Organizational Skills: Highly organized and capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously, with an ability to prioritize effectively and work under tight deadlines.

Customer & Compliance Focused: A customer-centric mindset, with a keen eye on ensuring compliance and mitigating risks in every partnership and product implementation

Language Skills:

Fluency in both Mandarin and English (speaking and writing) is required. Proficiency in Arabic is a plus, as it will enhance communication and relationship-building within the Middle East market