Manager Business Continuity Management - Emirati Talent

Commercial Bank International; Sharjah; On-site; AED 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading bank in the UAE is seeking a Business Continuity Manager to ensure compliance with banking regulations while fostering a robust risk-aware culture. This role involves leading BCM initiatives, mentoring staff, and building the continuity framework aligned with international standards. Ideal candidates will have substantial experience in operational risk within financial services and possess strong leadership and project management skills.

Qualifications

• Minimum 6–8 years in Business Continuity or Operational Risk.
• 2–4 years in a managerial role.
• Industry certifications preferred.

Responsibilities

• Update and implement BCM framework aligned with ISO 22301.
• Lead and mentor team in BCM implementation.
• Develop Business Continuity Plans and conduct regular testing.

Skills

Crisis Management

Risk Management

Communication

Project Management

Leadership

IT Systems Understanding

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, Risk Management, or IT

Master’s degree (preferred)

Job description

Job Purpose:

The position is part of CBI ongoing commitment to strategic organizational growth while aligning with our vision to foster a robust leadership pipeline, the purpose of this role - aside from building a foundation of potential UAE Nationals Leaders for the future – is ensuring the Bank maintains adequate controls for BCM, thus ensuring the Bank is in full compliance with all relevant banking laws, regulations, and internal policies and procedures. Job holder shall manage Business Continuity Management across the Bank.

Reports directly to:

VP – Operational Risk, BCM & Fraud Prevention

Reported to by:

Senior Officer, BCM

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Continuously update and implement a robust enterprise-wide Business Continuity Management (BCM) framework aligned with international standards (e.g., ISO 22301) and regulatory expectations.

• Ensure full compliance with the CBUAE BCM Guidelines, CBUAE Standards for Operational Resilience, and relevant CBUAE circulars including the requirements under the CBUAE's Risk Management Regulations.

• Lead, manage, and mentor direct reports by setting a strong example and fostering a culture of risk awareness, accountability, and resilience

• Partner with senior leadership to embed business continuity into the organizational culture and strategic planning.

• Establish and lead the BCM governance committee and contribute to risk committees’ discussions as required.

• Maintain awareness of updates to CBUAE requirements and ensure timely incorporation into BCM frameworks, policies, and procedures.

• Oversee the development and maintenance of Business Impact Analyses (BIAs) across business units to identify critical functions, dependencies, and recovery priorities.

• Lead the creation and periodic update of Business Continuity Plans (BCPs), IT Disaster Recovery Plans (DRPs), and Crisis Management protocols.

• Establish recovery time objectives (RTO) and recovery point objectives (RPO) with IT and business units.

• Design, coordinate, and evaluate regular testing of BCPs and DRPs including tabletop exercises, simulations, and failover tests.

• Assess test results, document findings, and ensure continuous improvement of plans and capabilities.

• Serve as a key member of the Crisis Management Team; support leadership in making decisions during disruptions or emergencies.

• Maintain readiness for activation of continuity and crisis plans, ensuring smooth coordination among internal and external stakeholders.

• Ensure BCM policies, procedures, and reporting meet regulatory requirements

• Liaise with regulators and auditors during assessments and ensure timely resolution of findings and recommendations.

• Drive a bank-wide BCM awareness program including employee training, workshops, and executive briefings.

• Provide guidance and support to departmental BCM coordinators and recovery teams.

• Integrate BCM assessments into vendor due diligence and third-party risk management processes by ensuring continuity and resilience obligations are embedded in SLAs and contracts, and by conducting ongoing monitoring and testing of third-party and outsourced service providers' BCM capabilities

• Evaluate third-party continuity and recovery capabilities for critical service providers.

• Define, track, and report on (KPIs) and (KRIs) related to business continuity, recovery readiness, incident response time, test results, and compliance gaps to the Senior Management, Risk Committee, and the Board Risk Committee, where appropriate.

• Leverage tools and systems for BCM documentation, testing, tracking, and reporting

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in business, Risk Management, IT, or related field (master’s preferred).

Experience:

• Minimum 6–8 years of experience in Business Continuity, Disaster Recovery, or Operational Risk within financial services, with at least 2–4 years in a managerial role.

• Industry certifications preferred

• Deep understanding of banking operations, IT systems, risk management, and regulatory frameworks.

• Proven experience managing crises or large-scale incidents.

• Good experience in Operations related processes and concepts.

• Good regional and / or international experience in financial institution or banks.

• Ability to discuss and challenge technology concepts with senior management.

• Excellent oral & written communication skills.

• Project Management skills and ability to effectively liaise with teams across different levels and effectively co-ordinate delivery of services involving elements delivered by other internal/external teams.