Manager - Priority Banking Relations

First Abu Dhabi Bank; Al Ruways Industrial City; On-site; AED 180,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

First Abu Dhabi Bank is seeking a Manager – Priority Banking Relations in Abu Dhabi, responsible for acquiring new high-value clients and deepening existing relationships. This role is integral in expanding the bank's liability book and delivering client-focused banking solutions.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in business banking and relationship management, along with excellent sales abilities and risk awareness. Candidates with proven sales achievements in priority banking sectors will excel in this role.

Qualifications

• Strong experience in business banking and relationship management.
• Proven record of achieving sales targets and driving customer and financial objectives.
• Ability to build, retain, and grow customer relationships through strong service.

Responsibilities

• Acquire new high-value clients and strengthen existing relationships.
• Engage regularly with customers to understand their banking requirements.
• Cross-sell and upsell relevant banking solutions.

Skills

Relationship management

Priority banking

Business banking

High-value client acquisition

Sales management

Education

University degree in Business, Finance, Banking, Accounting or Economics

Postgraduate qualification in Business Management

Job description

Job Snapshot

Role: Manager – Priority Banking Relations
Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Industry: Banking
Function: Account Management – Non‑Commissioned
Experience: Relevant business banking and relationship management experience
Job Type: Full‑time

Overview

Manager – Priority Banking Relations in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates is a banking role focused on acquiring new‑to‑bank high‑value clients, deepening existing relationships, growing the liability book, increasing revenue, and delivering client‑focused business banking solutions.

This opportunity is suited for a commercially driven relationship management professional with strong sales ability, SME banking knowledge, credit assessment skills, risk awareness, and the confidence to manage high‑value customer relationships across deposits, trade, FX, cash management, and lending products.

Role Context

The Manager – Priority Banking Relations will be responsible for building and expanding a portfolio of high‑value business banking clients while improving wallet share, revenue margins, customer satisfaction, and market presence. The role requires active acquisition of new clients, disciplined management of existing relationships, coordination with global transaction banking and global markets partners, and close attention to credit, compliance, operational, and money laundering risks.

Key Responsibilities

• Acquire new‑to‑bank high‑value clients and strengthen existing high‑value relationships to grow the bank's liability book and revenue base.
• Engage regularly with customers to understand their banking requirements, business priorities, service expectations, and growth plans.
• Increase the bank's wallet share by identifying customer needs and offering suitable banking products and services.
• Cross‑sell and upsell relevant bank solutions across deposits, cash management, trade, foreign exchange, financing, and other business banking products.
• Drive increased sales volumes and market share within the assigned target segment.
• Ensure timely response and turnaround for customer requests, business applications, and internal processing requirements.
• Negotiate pricing and product structures with internal teams to align global markets and cash products with customer needs.
• Establish a customer‑focused relationship approach that supports service quality, retention, and competitive differentiation.
• Expand the share of high‑end and quality business within the assigned portfolio segment.
• Build and maintain strong customer rapport by identifying financial needs and deploying suitable bank products and services.
• Provide customers with accurate and timely product information and explain how banking solutions can support their business.
• Keep customers and prospects updated on new products, services, market solutions, and relevant banking propositions.
• Actively source business from prospects and follow up on sales leads within assigned market segments.
• Plan timely client visits and introduce global transaction banking and global markets partners where relevant.
• Identify cross‑sell leads and refer suitable opportunities to other areas of the bank.
• Coordinate with product managers and specialists to promote bank products and deliver stronger client solutions.
• Ensure timely KYC updates and maintain accurate customer information in line with policy requirements.
• Work with internal departments to manage compliance risk, operational risk, and credit risk exposure where applicable.
• Prepare credit applications, analyze financial statements, and submit complete proposals for approval.
• Ensure credit applications for new clients and renewals are prepared correctly according to bank policies and regulatory requirements.
• Identify early warning signals of unsatisfactory account conduct and follow up on past‑due loans where required.
• Assess business and financial risks by reviewing competitive position, industry outlook, strategic direction, management quality, and financial profile.
• Analyze customer creditworthiness and recommend appropriate credit limits.
• Proactively manage portfolio risk by ensuring timely renewal of accounts where required information is available.
• Comply with bank policies, business banking standards, governing regulations, and internal procedures for structuring and pricing limits.
• Support internal audit and risk management reviews by addressing gaps and responding to audit observations within agreed deadlines.
• Monitor potential money laundering activities and coordinate remedial actions with management.
• Maximize profitability through effective utilisation of approved limits and stronger revenue margin management.
• Monitor MIS reports for foreign exchange and trade revenue performance through available dashboards.
• Maintain high‑quality customer service standards through coordination with customer service groups and processing units.
• Strictly follow bank policies to reduce fraud exposure, operational risk, and control breaches.

Ideal Profile

• University degree in Business, Finance, Banking, Accounting, Economics, or a related discipline.
• Strong experience in business banking, priority banking, SME banking, corporate relationship management, or high‑value client acquisition.
• Proven record of achieving sales targets and driving customer and financial objectives.
• Strong understanding of general banking, business banking, SME propositions, competitor offerings, and market dynamics.
• Ability to build, retain, and grow customer relationships through strong service, product knowledge, and commercial insight.
• Good knowledge of trade finance, foreign exchange, cash management, deposits, lending products, and working capital solutions.
• Strong credit awareness with the ability to prepare credit applications, analyze financial statements, and assess business risk.
• Ability to manage more complex business structures and facilities, including relationships with an international dimension.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to inspire, influence, negotiate, and work effectively with customers and colleagues.
• Strong business assessment skills and the ability to develop practical recommendations for client needs.
• Leadership ability with a performance‑driven approach and commitment to team collaboration.
• Strong analytical ability, planning discipline, and tenacity to deliver results.
• Good communication skills, including written communication, verbal presentation, and stakeholder interaction.
• Awareness of KYC, AML, compliance, operational risk, credit risk, audit requirements, and fraud prevention controls.
• Postgraduate qualification in Business Management or Business Administration is an advantage.
• Innovative mindset with strong problem‑solving capability and enthusiasm for continuous performance improvement.

Skills Set

• Relationship management
• Priority banking
• Business banking
• SME banking
• High‑value client acquisition
• New‑to‑bank acquisition
• Liability book growth
• Customer portfolio management
• Wallet share growth
• Cross‑selling
• Upselling
• Sales management
• Client visits
• Product coordination
• Global transaction banking
• Global markets products
• Cash management
• Foreign exchange
• Trade finance
• Credit application preparation
• Financial statement analysis
• Creditworthiness assessment
• Credit limit recommendation
• KYC updates
• AML monitoring
• Compliance risk awareness
• Operational risk control
• Credit risk management
• Early warning signal review
• Past‑due loan follow‑up
• MIS monitoring
• Revenue margin improvement
• Customer service standards
• Stakeholder management
• Negotiation
• Business acumen
• Team collaboration
• Fraud risk awareness

Why Join Us

This role offers a strong opportunity to manage high‑value business banking relationships within Abu Dhabi's banking sector while contributing to revenue growth, liability expansion, customer retention, and portfolio quality. The position provides exposure to priority banking clients, SME propositions, trade and cash products, foreign exchange opportunities, credit structuring, and cross‑functional banking collaboration. It is a strong fit for a commercially focused relationship manager who can combine sales performance, credit discipline, client service, and risk awareness in a competitive banking environment.