Underwriter - C14 - DUBAI

Citi; Dubai; On-site; AED 200,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial institution in Dubai is looking for an ICM Underwriter to manage and execute credit risk activities across wholesale credit businesses. The successful candidate will leverage over 10 years of experience in corporate banking and credit risk, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards while cultivating strong client relations. This role demands analytical expertise, outstanding communication skills, and a collaborative approach to drive the firm’s credit approval process effectively.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of corporate banking, credit risk, and/or corporate finance experience required.
• Senior Credit Officer designation preferred.
• Strong integrity and ethical standards.

Responsibilities

• Execute underwriting responsibilities and manage client relationships effectively.
• Conduct detailed financial analysis and stress testing.
• Support leadership in strategic initiatives and manage junior analysts.

Skills

Analytical Thinking

Financial Analysis

Risk Identification and Assessment

Communication

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor’s/University degree

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Citi continues to enhance its business control and governance framework by building out Institutional Credit Management (ICM), a function in the 1st Line of Defense, to house and consistently manage credit risk activities performed across its wholesale credit businesses. ICM’s objective is to provide integrated “end-to-end” credit underwriting, identification, measurement, management, and monitoring for wholesale credit risk. Within ICM, the Credit Underwriting function (ICM-UW) provides analysis, greenlight, underwriting, 1st Line of Defense credit approval and subsequent credit monitoring across all wholesale credit businesses including Banking, Markets and Services.

ICM Underwriters cover large and complex relationships with corporates, financial institutions and public sector clients within the Middle East and Central Asia, being responsible for all underwriting activities, in partnership with Business and Risk (2nd Line of Defense). This role reports directly to the ICM Underwriting Sub-Cluster Head for the Middle East and Central Asia.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Executes, aligned with global and regional strategies, all responsibilities regarding underwriting, including, but not limited to:

• Adoption of leading practices in credit analysis, underwriting, and monitoring, including the end-to-end underwriting process, from early origination discussions, to development of credit approval memos, and senior approval forums
• Ensure Credit Approval Memo (CAM) packages are complete and accurate
• Detailed reviews of financial data, projection modelling, stress testing, and other in-depth analysis performed by more junior analysts in the team
• Balance business opportunities within Citi’s Risk appetite framework
• Facilitate relationships with key clients in Banking and Risk and with key Regulators, Internal Audit, and control functions
• Support the ICM-UW leadership on strategic initiatives/projects
• Support Voice of the Employee initiatives
• While this role does not have formal direct reports, there are many people management opportunities, including coaching and developing the analysts, volunteering as a mentor for ICM colleagues and supporting formal and informal training programs.

SPECIFIC RISK EXPERIENCE:

• Senior credit approval authority (or similar designation) covering large and complex underwritings, capital commitments, and derivatives with multi-industry experience
• Experience in and exposure to global credit risk management standards
• Ability to understand capital markets products and complex financing and product structures
• Ability to implement change and develop best practices throughout an organization.
• Ability to provide strategic insights and strong sensitivity to macro and regulatory issues, and impact of such issues on the various Risk families, including operational and franchise risks
• Able to discuss and address issues associated with the allocation of risk assets and risk capital in partnership with banking and product organizations
• Proven ability to effectively engage with regulators and internal control functions including Internal Audit and Banking & International Credit Review as well as with external audit

CLIENT RELATIONSHIPS / BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP:

• As part of the 1st Line of Defense, the ability to find the right balance that achieves the aims of the business while managing Citi’s risk appropriately
• Understands the nuances of local markets, local regulation, and the capabilities and practices of competitors
• Navigate organizational complexity and break silos
• Create and sustain a network of strong partnerships with the business in all segments & geographies and risk functions
• Provide well-reasoned, balanced assessments of risk/return trade-offs associated with transactions and client relationships
• Proven track record of partnering with global peers in leveraging and implementation of best practices.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 10+ years of corporate banking, credit risk and/or corporate finance work experience at banks/financial institutions
• Senior Credit Officer designation (or similar) is preferred
• Demonstrates strong ethics and integrity
• Ability to see the ‘big picture’ in a complex environment
• Can make decisions under pressure and short timeline
• Excellent verbal & written communication skills in English.
• Active listening skills.
• Demonstrated influencing and negotiating ability, resolve conflicts
• Excellent presentation skills – adept at presenting effectively to audiences of various sizes and various constituencies

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s/University degree, master’s degree preferred.

This job description provides a high-level review of the types of work performed. Other job-related duties may be assigned as required.

------------------------------------------------------

Job Family Group:

Risk Management

------------------------------------------------------

Job Family:

Credit Decisions

------------------------------------------------------

Time Type:

Full time

------------------------------------------------------

Most Relevant Skills

Analytical Thinking, Constructive Debate, Escalation Management, Financial Analysis, Policy and Procedure, Policy and Regulation, Product Knowledge, Risk Controls and Monitors, Risk Identification and Assessment.

------------------------------------------------------

Other Relevant Skills

Credible Challenge, Data Analysis, Laws and Regulations, Management Reporting, Referral and Escalation, Risk Remediation.

------------------------------------------------------

Citi is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you are a person with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to use our search tools and/or apply for a career opportunity review Accessibility at Citi.

View Citi’s EEO Policy Statement and the Know Your Rights poster.