Senior Executive Officer, DIFC

Bank ABC; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 600,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Bank ABC, DIFC Branch, seeks a Senior Executive Officer in Dubai to lead the DIFC operations, ensuring compliance with all DFSA regulations and internal policies while delivering shareholder value.

You will set the strategic direction with GCWBO and Head Office, oversee P&L, manage a high-caliber DIFC team, and drive growth across wholesale banking, Islamic banking, and capital markets.

Qualifications

• Experience in building a business/franchise in GCC/Middle East.
• Strong knowledge of wholesale banking, capital markets, financial markets, and treasury products, including Islamic banking.
• Experience in GCC/MENA region preferred.
• Prior management of a branch with P&L responsibility.
• Understanding of DFSA rules for Category 4 branch.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage Bank ABC (DIFC Branch) in line with DFSA regulations.
• Set strategy with GCWBO and Head Office and execute across DIFC.
• Oversee budgeting: Opex, Capex, and financial performance.
• Maintain corporate image and relationships with stakeholders.
• Develop and roll out wholesale banking and treasury product suites.
• Collaborate with RM teams to roll out products in DIFC/Dubai/UAE.
• Cross-sell products and identify opportunities in the secondary market.
• Ensure day-to-day operations and risk management are effective.

Skills

Wholesale banking

Capital markets

Islamic banking

P&L responsibility

Client relationship

Leadership

Education

BSc/BA in Finance

MBA or professional qualification

Job description

Bank ABC seeks to recruit a Senior Executive Officer, DIFC in the DIFC Branch based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The purpose of the role is to successfully lead, and manage Bank ABC (DIFC Branch) in accordance with all relevant regulations, policies & procedures, and to run the DIFC operations to maximize shareholder value, managing the DIFC operations to meet financial and non-financial targets set. The Senior Executive Officer will be responsible for the success of the DIFC branch, setting the strategy in coordination with GCWBO and the Head Office, successfully executing the agreed strategy, and providing leadership to the DIFC team (coverage, credit, products and control functions).

Responsibilities of the role:

• Reporting to the Gorup Chief Wholesale Banking Officer, the job holder will be responsible to:
  • Ensure appropriate Bank ABC (DIFC Branch) financial and management returns are up to date and submitted in a timely manner. Ensure proper internal controls with agreed delegations of authority and responsibility from the Head Office in Bahrain.
  • Ensure that Bank ABC (DIFC Branch) and DFSA's policies are uniformly understood, interpreted and implemented at all levels. Review and approve Bank ABC (DIFC Branch) policies and any amendments thereof.
  • Ensure that all activities of Bank ABC (DIFC Branch) are carried out in compliance with DFSA's framework and applicable license category.
  • Oversee the development of Opex and Capex budgets. Ensure that appropriate internal controls are in place and monitor all aspects of financial performance.
  • Review and approve all relevant financial, business plans, budget and monitor performance vs. approved budget.
  • Ensure that Bank ABC (DIFC Branch) develops and maintains an appropriate corporate image amongst all of its stakeholders.
  • Be conversant with the entire wholesale banking and capital & financial markets product suite and roll out the product suite in ABC’s target markets as applicable.
  • Work closely with the RMs to roll-out the products to their clients based in DIFC/Dubai/UAE
  • Work with Product Heads such as the Head of Islamic Banking, Head of Syndications, Head of Capital Markets, to cross fertilize the businesses and maximize revenues to Bank ABC Introduce new Bank ABC clients to wholesale banking and treasury products.
  • Cross-sell the Bank’s product range and introduce opportunities seen in the secondary market to relevant product area / relationship manager.
  • Develop a strong linkage with DFSA (DIFC regulator) and understand relevant trends and changes.
  • Maintain and manage pipelines for wholesale banking, capital & financial markets products. Convene regular pipeline meetings and build a robust pipeline
  • Develop and implement the strategic plan for Bank ABC (DIFC Branch) in close collaboration with GCWBO and wholesale banking leadership team.
  • Actively monitor the strategic plan and make amendments based on changes in the market and Bank ABC’s overall strategy
  • Coordinate and manage the proper functioning of DIFC Risk Committee as per approved Terms of Reference
  • Drive business momentum and exceed / meet budgeted financial targets
  • Principal point of contact with the local regulator, DFSA
  • Overall responsible for DIFC Branch P&L and credit worthiness of the portfolio.
  • Act as the principal point of contact pertaining to all significant matters and ultimately responsible for the day-to-day management, supervision and operations of Bank ABC (DIFC Branch).
  • Keep GCWBO informed of all material aspects of the operations of Bank ABC (DIFC Branch). Under the direction of GCWBO and ManCom, implement Bank ABC (DIFC Branch) strategy, business plan and review any additional tactical initiatives.
  • Hire and retain appropriate staff as part of an agreed organizational structure
  • Monitor staff productivity and morale in accordance with relevant benchmarks and appropriate policies.
  • Establish job descriptions and performance management goals for senior management and evaluate the performance of direct reports.
  • Overall, responsible for people management, i.e. retaining, and managing productive coverage, product, and support teams at the branch.
  • Manage and grow the wholesale banking including Islamic, treasury & financial businesses for DIFC branch.
  • Develop the team in DIFC to service the client base in DIFC /Dubai/UAE and increase penetration of the wholesale banking capital and financial markets products across the Bank ABC footprint.
  • Serve as a senior member of Wholesale banking leadership team.
  • To proactively communicate, cooperate and coordinate with all other areas within the bank, in particular coverage, products, Risk, Legal, Compliance and Operations to ensure transactions are executed and managed correctly, and all client business handled professionally.

Areas of Knowledge, Qualification and Experience

• Experience in building a business/franchise in the GCC/Middle East, for local, regional or global financial institutions.
• BSc or MA/BA in Finance related subjects, MBA or professional qualification (although not necessary) Experience in the GCC/MENA region (preferably Bank ABC's footprint).
• First class demonstrable knowledge of wholesale banking, capital markets, financial markets, and treasury products, including knowledge of Islamic banking
• Full understanding of wholesale banking and treasury framework including policies and procedures Complete understanding and experience of wholesale banking, capital markets, financial markets and treasury products. Managing client interaction/pitching, transaction origination and execution with tight timelines
• Have the ability to bring a number of key transactions to a successful close and building the business. Solid
• successful track record in originating and executing wholesale banking business
• Front line client experience and ability to deal with client demands
• Understanding of complex projects involving multiple products and/or geographic groups and able to help manage in a systematic and structured manner
• Prior experience in managing a similar office set-up with P&L responsibility
• Understand key DFSA rules and regulations pertaining to Category 4 branch
• Outstanding communication skills
• Capable of motivating and leading a team of professionals
• Mature and able to command respect
• Comprehensive understanding and experience of origination, structuring and distribution.
• Proven ability to establish and maintain strong relationships.
• Ability to work effectively at all levels in an organization.
• A team player and able to work collaboratively with and through others.