Unit Head - Contracting & Real Estate

UBL UAE; Dubai; On-site; AED 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

UBL UAE is seeking an experienced Unit Head - Contracting & Real Estate to lead our corporate banking efforts for contracting, construction, real estate, and property development sectors in the UAE.

You will drive growth, manage relationships with major UAE corporates, structure financing solutions, and ensure disciplined credit risk across the portfolio, while collaborating with risk, product, and legal teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business, Economics, or related field.
• 10–12 years of corporate banking with contracting/real estate exposure.
• Mandatory UAE market experience with strong local knowledge.
• Proven track record in origination, relationship management, and revenue generation.
• Senior relationships with UAE contractors and developers desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Contracting & Real Estate Corporate Banking Unit, driving sustainable growth in assets, liabilities, deposits, fee income, and overall profitability.
• Develop and execute business strategies for contracting, construction, real estate, and property development sectors.
• Build and maintain senior-level relationships with major UAE contractors, developers, and real estate groups.
• Lead acquisition of new-to-bank clients and deepen relationships to increase wallet share.
• Originate and structure corporate banking solutions including working capital, project finance, trade finance, guarantees, LC, and cash management.
• Review and guide credit proposals ensuring sound structuring, pricing, risk mitigation, and compliance.
• Maintain oversight of portfolio quality, customer performance, utilisation, and covenant compliance.
• Identify early-warning indicators and deteriorating exposures with Credit and Risk teams.
• Provide sector expertise on contracting and real estate dynamics and market conditions.
• Lead, motivate, and develop the Corporate Banking team with high client service standards.
• Collaborate with Credit, Risk, Product, Treasury, Legal, Compliance, and Operations for transaction execution.
• Adhere to Group Credit Policy, risk appetite, authorities, and KYC/AML standards.
• Monitor performance and provide strategy reports to senior management.
• Represent the Bank at client meetings and industry forums to strengthen position.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Relationship management

Credit structuring

Portfolio management

Financial analysis

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance/Business/Economics

Job description

Position Summary

The Unit Head - Contracting & Real Estate will lead the Bank's corporate banking business for the contracting, construction, real estate, and property development sectors in the UAE. The role will be responsible for business growth, client acquisition and retention, portfolio profitability, relationship management, credit origination, and overall portfolio quality.

The incumbent will develop and execute sector strategies, build relationships with key UAE corporates and business groups, identify new business opportunities, and ensure delivery of comprehensive banking solutions while maintaining disciplined credit and risk standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Contracting & Real Estate Corporate Banking Unit, driving sustainable growth in assets, liabilities, deposits, fee income, and overall profitability.
• Develop and execute business strategies for the contracting, construction, real estate, and property development sectors in line with the Bank's strategic objectives.
• Build and maintain senior-level relationships with major UAE contractors, developers, real estate groups, property companies, and related corporates.
• Lead acquisition of new-to-bank clients and deepen relationships with existing customers to increase wallet share and cross-selling opportunities.
• Originate and structure corporate banking solutions including working capital, project/development finance, trade finance, guarantees, letters of credit, cash management, and other appropriate products.
• Review and guide the preparation of credit proposals, ensuring sound transaction structuring, appropriate pricing, adequate risk mitigation, and compliance with the Bank's credit standards.
• Maintain close oversight of portfolio quality, customer financial performance, utilisation, repayment capacity, covenant compliance, and emerging risks.
• Ensure timely identification and escalation of early-warning indicators and deteriorating exposures in coordination with Credit and Risk teams.
• Provide sector expertise on contracting and real estate dynamics, including order books, project pipelines, receivables, retention, presales, valuations, construction progress, project cash flows, and market conditions.
• Lead, motivate, and develop the Corporate Banking team, setting clear business objectives and ensuring high standards of client service, credit quality, and performance.
• Work closely with Credit, Risk, Product, Treasury, Legal, Compliance, Operations, and other stakeholders to ensure efficient execution of transactions and customer requirements.
• Ensure adherence to the Bank's Group Credit Policy, risk appetite, delegated authorities, regulatory requirements, KYC/AML standards, and internal governance.
• Monitor unit performance against agreed financial and business targets and provide regular reporting and strategic recommendations to senior management.
• Represent the Bank at senior client meetings and relevant industry and market forums, strengthening the Bank's profile and market position.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business Administration, Economics, Accounting, or a related discipline; relevant professional qualification is an advantage.
• Minimum 10–12 years of corporate/commercial banking experience, with substantial exposure to contracting, construction, real estate, and/or property development.
• Mandatory UAE market experience with strong knowledge of the local corporate and business environment.
• Proven track record in business origination, relationship management, credit structuring, portfolio management, and revenue generation.
• Established senior relationships with major UAE corporates, contractors, developers, and real estate groups is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of contracting and real estate financing and associated sector risks.
• Strong financial analysis, credit assessment, negotiation, and commercial decision-making skills.
• Demonstrated leadership experience with the ability to manage and develop a high-performing corporate banking team.
• Excellent communication, presentation, stakeholder management, and relationship-building skills.
• Strong commercial orientation combined with sound risk awareness and professional integrity.