Senior Vice President, Head of Strategy and Planning - Business Banking Group

National Bank of Ras Al-Khaimah PJSC; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 300,000 - 500,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial institution in the UAE is seeking a Head of Strategy & Planning to drive the strategic direction of the Business Banking division. The ideal candidate will have 10-15 years of experience in banking, strong leadership, and a proven track record in strategic planning. You will shape the bank’s medium- and long-term strategy, oversee planning and budgeting processes, and lead cost optimization initiatives.

Qualifications

• 10–15 years of banking or financial services experience.
• At least 5 years in strategy or planning leadership.
• Strong understanding of Business Banking products and market dynamics in UAE/GCC.

Responsibilities

• Define and drive Business Banking strategy.
• Monitor market trends and regulatory changes.
• Develop strategic and financial plans.
• Oversee planning and budgeting processes.
• Lead cost optimization initiatives.

Skills

Strategic planning

Business transformation

Analytical skills

Leadership

Commercial awareness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Economics

Master’s degree (preferred)

Job description

About the Role:

The Head of Strategy & Planning acts as a key strategic partner to the Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) – Business Banking, driving the strategic direction, commercial planning, and execution agenda of the Business Banking division. This role shapes the medium- and long-term strategy, aligns it with market opportunities and internal capabilities, and translates it into actionable plans. It leads Cost Management, Planning, and Customer Segmentation functions, supported by a Strategy Manager, forming the central strategy office for Business Banking, and reports directly to the Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) – Business Banking.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Define and drive Business Banking strategy in alignment with the bank’s overall direction.
• Monitor market trends, regulatory changes, and emerging technologies to identify opportunities and risks.
• Translate insights into strategic recommendations and initiatives.
• Develop annual and multi-year strategic and financial plans.
• Oversee planning and budgeting processes, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities.
• Track performance against plans and recommend corrective actions.
• Maintain dashboards and executive-level reporting for transparency.
• Lead cost optimization initiatives to improve cost-to-income ratio.
• Ensure efficiency and productivity while maintaining customer experience.
• Develop segmentation frameworks for targeted propositions and pricing strategies.
• Use analytics to shape product development and channel strategy.
• Drive transformation projects, process reengineering, and digital enablement.
• Act as business owner for cross-functional initiatives with clear success metrics.
• Lead and develop teams in Cost Management, Planning, and Customer Segmentation.
• Foster collaboration across Finance, Risk, Operations, and Digital functions.
• Represent Business Banking in strategic forums and committees.

What We’re Looking For:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Economics (Master’s preferred).
• 10–15 years of banking or financial services experience, with at least 5 years in strategy or planning leadership.
• Strong understanding of Business Banking products and market dynamics in UAE/GCC.
• Proven track record in strategic planning and business transformation.
• Exceptional analytical, commercial, and leadership skills.