Head of New Markets | Al-Futtaim Automotive | Financial Services, Rental and Leasing

Al-Futtaim; Dubai; On-site; AED 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A diversified regional business in Dubai seeks a Head of New Markets to spearhead strategic expansion into emerging territories, ensuring regulatory compliance and sustainable operations. The ideal candidate will possess extensive market expansion experience and financial services expertise, alongside strong commercial acumen. Responsibilities include developing market entry strategies, collaborating with banks, and leading cross-functional teams. Fluency in English and Arabic is required.

Qualifications

• Proven market expansion experience required.
• Experience in market expansion and business development in emerging regions essential.
• Regulatory compliance expertise needed.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute market entry strategies.
• Establish strategic partnerships with banks.
• Engage with local regulators for compliance.
• Lead teams to achieve market expansion goals.
• Design country-specific business models.
• Manage stakeholders to ensure alignment.
• Oversee financial performance and risk management.

Skills

Market expansion experience

Financial services expertise

Strategic and commercial acumen

Ethical leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Economics

MBA preferred

Job description

Job Requisition ID : 170052

Established in the 1930s as a trading business, Al-Futtaim Group today is one of the most diversified and progressive, privately held regional businesses headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Structured into five operating divisions: automotive, financial services, real estate, retail, and healthcare; employing more than 35,000 employees across more than 20 countries in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. Al-Futtaim Group partners with over 200 of the world's most admired and innovative brands. The organization’s entrepreneurship and relentless customer focus enable continuous growth and expansion, responding to the changing needs of customers within the societies in which we operate.

By upholding our values of respect, excellence, collaboration, and integrity, Al-Futtaim Group continues to enrich the lives and aspirations of our customers each day.

Overview of the role :

The Head of New Markets will lead the strategic expansion into emerging territories by establishing strong partnerships with local banks and regulatory authorities. This role requires expertise in navigating diverse regulatory environments, building trust with key stakeholders, and designing adaptable business models tailored to each country’s unique market conditions. The incumbent will spearhead the launch and growth of finance companies in new markets such as Egypt and Kuwait, ensuring compliance, sustainable operations, and long-term profitability.

Through effective relationship management and market insight, the Head of New Markets will drive the company's successful entry and establishment in targeted regions.

What you will do :

1. Develop and execute market entry strategies

Define and lead a comprehensive go-to-market strategy for launching financial services in new countries. This includes identifying viable markets, conducting feasibility studies, aligning with corporate goals, and securing internal approvals for market entry. The strategy should cover legal, financial, operational, and customer dimensions.

1. Establish and maintain strategic partnerships with banks

Identify, negotiate, and formalize partnerships with reputable local and regional banks to support operational needs such as lending, collections, distribution, and risk-sharing. Ensure that these partnerships align with the company’s commercial strategy and regulatory expectations.

1. Build and maintain relationships with local regulators

Proactively engage with financial regulators, central banks, and other relevant authorities to ensure compliance with local laws. Develop mutual trust and open communication channels to support long-term licensing, auditing, and regulatory approval processes.

1. Lead cross-functional teams to deliver market expansion goals

Provide leadership and alignment across internal teams (product, legal, finance, operations, risk, etc.) to ensure cohesive execution of the market entry plan. Promote clear roles, milestones, and accountability for each function in the expansion timeline.

1. Design and implement country-specific business models

Create a locally optimized business model that reflects the economic conditions, customer behavior, credit risk profiles, and regulatory framework of each new market. Ensure that the model is adaptable and scalable and aligns with long-term profitability goals.

1. Stakeholders’ Management

Build and maintain productive relationships with stakeholders to ensure alignment, support, and successful outcomes.

1. Team development and performance

Enhance team cohesion, skills, and alignment to achieve high performance and organizational goals.

1. Ensure financial performance and risk management

Oversee the financial health of new operations, including revenue generation, cost control, credit risk, and overall profitability. Implement financial controls, risk policies, and performance monitoring tools tailored to the new market environment.

Required Skills to be successful :

• Proven market expansion experience
• Financial services expertise
• Strategic and commercial acumen
• High integrity and ethical leadership

What equips you for the role :

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Economics, or a related field (MBA preferred)
• Experience in market expansion and business development in emerging regions
• Strong knowledge of financial services and banking products
• Strategic planning and commercial analysis skills
• Regulatory compliance and risk management expertise
• Cross-cultural negotiation and stakeholder engagement capabilities
• Data-driven decision-making and customer insight understanding
• Operational execution and team leadership skills
• Proficiency in financial modeling, commercial analysis, and strategic planning
• Languages: Fluent English and Arabic
• In-depth knowledge of financial services and banking products
• Familiarity with regional regulatory frameworks