Head of Contracting & Real Estate Banking

UBL UAE; Dubai; On-site; AED 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

UBL UAE is seeking an experienced Unit Head - Contracting & Real Estate to lead our corporate banking efforts for contracting, construction, real estate, and property development sectors in the UAE.

You will drive growth, manage relationships with major UAE corporates, structure financing solutions, and ensure disciplined credit risk across the portfolio, while collaborating with risk, product, and legal teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business, Economics, or related field.
• 10–12 years of corporate banking with contracting/real estate exposure.
• Mandatory UAE market experience with strong local knowledge.
• Proven track record in origination, relationship management, and revenue generation.
• Senior relationships with UAE contractors and developers desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Contracting & Real Estate Corporate Banking Unit, driving sustainable growth in assets, liabilities, deposits, fee income, and overall profitability.
• Develop and execute business strategies for contracting, construction, real estate, and property development sectors.
• Build and maintain senior-level relationships with major UAE contractors, developers, and real estate groups.
• Lead acquisition of new-to-bank clients and deepen relationships to increase wallet share.
• Originate and structure corporate banking solutions including working capital, project finance, trade finance, guarantees, LC, and cash management.
• Review and guide credit proposals ensuring sound structuring, pricing, risk mitigation, and compliance.
• Maintain oversight of portfolio quality, customer performance, utilisation, and covenant compliance.
• Identify early-warning indicators and deteriorating exposures with Credit and Risk teams.
• Provide sector expertise on contracting and real estate dynamics and market conditions.
• Lead, motivate, and develop the Corporate Banking team with high client service standards.
• Collaborate with Credit, Risk, Product, Treasury, Legal, Compliance, and Operations for transaction execution.
• Adhere to Group Credit Policy, risk appetite, authorities, and KYC/AML standards.
• Monitor performance and provide strategy reports to senior management.
• Represent the Bank at client meetings and industry forums to strengthen position.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Relationship management

Credit structuring

Portfolio management

Financial analysis

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance/Business/Economics

Job description

UBL UAE is seeking an experienced Unit Head - Contracting & Real Estate to lead our corporate banking efforts for contracting, construction, real estate, and property development sectors in the UAE.

You will drive growth, manage relationships with major UAE corporates, structure financing solutions, and ensure disciplined credit risk across the portfolio, while collaborating with risk, product, and legal teams.