Program Manager

Adecco; Abu Dhabi Emirate; On-site; AED 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Adecco is seeking a Senior Program Manager in the United Arab Emirates to lead large-scale banking transformation programs, drive international expansion (Rep Office → Branch → Subsidiary), and ensure alignment with regulatory and governance standards across multiple jurisdictions.

You will interact with ExCo and the Board, manage significant investments, and deliver strategic outcomes while balancing growth with risk and capital constraints.

Qualifications

• 15+ years delivering large-scale banking transformation.
• Proven international expansion experience across branches, subsidiaries, rep offices.
• Strong exposure to multi-jurisdiction regulatory environments.
• Experience working across three lines of defence (1st, 2nd, 3rd).
• Track record engaging regulators and passing audits.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex, multi-country programs with strong governance discipline.
• Provide clear reporting and assurance to ExCo and Board.

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Job description

Before you click on Apply button, please note that this role requires a total of 15+ Years of experience and at least 10+ Years into Banking Transformation, working with top investment banks.

The Program Manager is accountable for delivering the bank’s strategy, including the establishment and scaling of Products, SOP & Systems across multiple jurisdictions.

The role ensures expansion is executed in line with regulatory requirements, risk appetite, and governance standards, while enabling sustainable business growth.

This is a senior hands-on delivery role where you'll be expected to interact and influence at the ExCo level, with direct accountability for material investment, regulatory exposure, and strategic outcomes. You'll have to work across all business lines and functional areas of the bank to enable successful execution and delivery.

International Expansion Delivery

• Lead end-to-end delivery of international expansion programs across jurisdictions
• Define and execute entry strategies (Rep Office -> Branch -> Subsidiary progression)
• Align expansion with business growth, product capability, and market strategy

Regulatory & Compliance Leadership

• Own regulatory engagement across jurisdictions (licensing, approvals, supervision)
• Ensure compliance with local regulators and international standards
• Deliver regulatory commitments and remediation where required
• Operate in line with fitness and propriety expectations

Three Lines of Defence Alignment

• 1st Line: Business & delivery ownership
• 2nd Line: Risk & Compliance oversight
• 3rd Line: Internal Audit assurance

Delivery & Governance

• Lead complex, multi-country programs with strong governance discipline
• Provide clear reporting and assurance to ExCo and Board

Financial & Strategic Oversight

• Manage investment cases for international expansion (ROI, payback, capital impact)
• Balance growth ambitions with regulatory and capital constraints

Required Experience

• 15+ years delivering large-scale banking transformation
• Proven experience in international expansion (branches, subsidiaries, rep offices)
• Strong exposure to multi-jurisdiction regulatory environments
• Experience working across three lines of defence
• Track record engaging regulators and passing audits

Qualifications (Mandatory)

• Bachelor's Degree
• PMP, PRINCE2, or SAFe certification (Any 2 are required)