Regional Head of GCC, International Banking - Arabic Speaker

First Abu Dhabi Bank; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 400,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading banking institution in Abu Dhabi is seeking a Regional Head for the GCC to oversee Investment Banking and Wholesale Banking divisions. This role requires extensive banking experience, strong leadership, and solid regulatory knowledge. The ideal candidate should possess over 20 years in banking, with at least a decade in senior roles, and must be fluent in Arabic. This is a full-time position, emphasizing the management of client relationships and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• 20+ years of experience in banking with at least 10 in a senior role.
• Experience within an international bank with cross-border operations.
• In-depth knowledge of trade finance and debt markets.

Responsibilities

• Lead and grow Investment Banking & Markets & Wholesale Banking.
• Manage client relationships and drive revenue growth.
• Ensure compliance with all regulations while engaging with regulators.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Business development

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

The Regional Head GCC would be responsible for leading and growing the Investment Banking & Markets & Wholesale Banking businesses within the GCC Region. This includes managing client relationships driving revenue growth and ensuring the delivery of financial solutions to corporate government and institutional clients. The position requires strong leadership business development and stakeholder management skills with a focus on leveraging FABs international network and expertise.

The Regional Head is responsible for managing the wider GCC region including managerial oversight of offices in Kuwait Oman Bahrain FAB Capital KSA and Iraq Rep Office with the Country CEOs and Chief Representatives reporting to them.

Key Responsibilities:

GCC Strategy

• Transition the existing business to enhance geographic reach client diversification and product cross sell.
• Enhance collaboration and one bank philosophy working with global teams to enhance returns.
• Define regional strategy in line with FAB Groups ambition to further grow its GCC franchise capitalizing on areas where FAB has a competitive advantage particularly across trade and finance corridors.
• Define the GCC presence and non-presence strategy working with all stakeholders to ensure alignment and support.
• Define FABs product strategy across Global Corporate Finance Global Markets and Global Transactional Banking support the client franchise.
• Work with FAB HO and other locations to identify and capitalize on network client flows of business.
• Direct the effective implementation of approved FAB strategies and related strategic plans in accordance with the overall business plan in order to achieve the short medium and long term objectives.

Regulatory

• Ensuring effective compliance with all regulations; engaging with HO functions to ensure full and aligned support to effectively discharge this responsibility.
• Maintain regular and open dialogue with Regulators to ensure a no-surprises relationship is maintained at all times.
• Ensure compliance with prevailing regulations in non-presence countries where FAB seeks to originate business.

Leadership

• Manage the effective achievement of the business objectives through leadership of the GCC business; setting individual objectives recruiting qualified staff familiar with operating in a global bank operating model; managing performance developing and motivating staff to work as one team ensuring open and honest feedback through a transparent and open style in order to maximise employee and business performance
• Proven ability to operate effectively locally and internationally across internal and external borders
• Actively lives and practices the FAB values: Collaborative Knowledgeable Enterprising Responsible Adaptable and ensuring these are embedded within the culture of the GCC business

Budget and Plans

• Oversee the formulation of the regional budget
• Actively monitor performance and use MIS to enhance performance and aid strategic decision making manage areas of under-performance

Client Management

• Actively engage with the client relationship management to set the strategic direction of the client franchise; develop and maintain effective business relationships with all relevant internal and external stakeholders
• Engage with clients at a senior level to better position FAB for an enhanced share of wallet
• Embed the use of CRM to improve the preparation of account planning call reporting WIP management
• Build out a comprehensive IB&M and WBG Strategies with Coverage Heads

Policies Systems and Processes

• Working with Local and Global Heads direct the development and implementation of department policies procedures and controls covering all areas of the business across all Group activities
• Review approve and direct amendments to policies and procedures to ensure consistency of application with FAB Group
• Execute all actions required based on relevant internal and external audits

Organisation Structure

• Define an optimum organisation structure for the Branches/Rep office/Subsidiaries so that resources are used optimally and communication can take place in an optimal manner

Credit and Risk Management

• Plan direct and drive all initiatives to grow the asset portfolio and the liability base in accordance with approved plans and strategy
• Enhance profitability of the portfolio through targeted deployment of the balance sheet to enhance cross sell
• Direct the in-depth assessment and analysis of credit risk and take responsibility for the preparation of comprehensive limit applications at regular annual reviews in accordance with FAB Group policies and sector regulations
• Direct and ensure the development of credit proposals in alignment with prevailing policies
• Direct the proactive engagement of problem accounts at an early stage and recommend appropriate remedial action

Change Management

Lead and direct the management of change across the GCC business in line with the new operating model to ensure continuous improvement

Qualifications :

• Bachelors degree
• 20 plus years experience in banking with at least 10 years in a senior role in a Investment or Wholesale Banking environment
• Experience of working within an international bank operating across borders and within a matrix
• In depth knowledge of the banking sector and wholesale banking products particularly trade finance and debt markets
• Working knowledge of the GCC region with proven relationships
• Experience of working in a regulatory capacity with direct experience of interacting with Regulators
• A proven strategic thinker with the ability to clearly articulate and execute strategy
• Advanced skills in aligning goals with strategic direction
• Ability to define and lead organizational change
• Excellent interpersonal verbal and written skills across cultural boundaries
• Experience in coaching and mentoring
• Strong people management skills and visionary leadership

Additional Information :

Fluency in Arabic is a requirement for this role with a preference for UAE National candidates.

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time