Head of Sales & Distribution Channels – All Products & Services

First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB); Riyadh; On-site; SAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) seeks a senior leader to drive Sales and Distribution across all products and customer segments in Saudi Arabia. You will define the strategy, integrate branches, direct sales, digital channels, and partnerships to optimize market reach and revenue growth.

The role requires 12–15 years in banking, with 5–7 years in senior leadership, and a proven track record in revenue growth, channel optimization, and regulatory governance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Finance, Economics, or a related discipline.
• Master’s degree is preferred.
• 12–15 years of progressive experience in banking, with a strong track record in Sales, Distribution, and Commercial leadership roles.
• Minimum of 5–7 years in senior leadership positions with full accountability for revenue growth, sales performance, and distribution strategy.

Responsibilities

• Own and drive end-to-end Sales and Distribution performance across all banking products, services, and customer segments, ensuring consistent delivery of growth and market share objectives.
• Lead the design and execution of an integrated omni-channel distribution model, balancing physical and digital channels to maximize reach, productivity, and customer experience.
• Spearhead the bank’s transition toward a digital-first sales model, including the expansion of digital acquisition, ecosystem partnerships, and data-driven distribution capabilities.
• Establish and scale strategic distribution partnerships and external ecosystems to accelerate customer acquisition and enhance market presence.
• Drive advanced sales analytics and performance intelligence, leveraging data to optimize channel mix, improve conversion, and enable proactive decision-making.
• Ensure full alignment with regulatory requirements, internal governance, and risk frameworks, while enabling business growth in a controlled and sustainable manner.
• Act as a key member of the leadership team in shaping the bank’s commercial strategy, go-to-market approach, and transformation agenda.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Finance, Economics, or a related discipline.

Master’s degree (e.g., MBA or equivalent) is preferred.

Job description

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

To drive the bank’s revenue growth and market leadership by leading Sales and Distribution across all products, customer segments, and channels, ensuring full alignment with the bank’s strategic priorities.

Accountable for building and scaling a high-performance sales ecosystem that seamlessly integrates physical and digital channels, the role champions customer-centricity, data-driven decision‑making, and optimized distribution models. It also leads the bank’s transformation into a digital‑first organization by embedding advanced analytics, innovative sales capabilities, and strategic partnerships to enhance growth, efficiency, and customer experience.

Strategic Contribution

Define and execute the bank-wide Sales and Distribution strategy across all products, customer segments, and channels, ensuring alignment with overall business and growth objectives.

Drive an integrated omni‑channel distribution model (branches, direct sales, digital, and partnerships) to maximize market penetration, revenue growth, and customer reach.

Identify and capitalize on new distribution opportunities, including digital ecosystems and strategic partnerships, in line with evolving market dynamics and customer expectations.

Lead and develop high-performing Sales and Distribution teams by setting clear objectives, driving performance management, and building critical capabilities.

Strengthen leadership bench across channel heads and sales leaders to ensure scalability and succession readiness.

Foster a performance‑driven culture anchored in accountability, productivity, collaboration, and customer‑centricity.

Oversee sales and distribution budgets across all channels, ensuring optimal resource allocation aligned with strategic priorities and return on investment.

Drive revenue growth while maintaining strong cost discipline, improving channel profitability and efficiency.

Ensure robust implementation of sales and distribution policies, processes, and controls in line with regulatory requirements and internal governance standards.

Standardize and optimize operating models across channels to ensure consistency, scalability, and control.

Digital Transformation & Enablement

Lead the transformation toward a digital‑first distribution model by embedding digital channels, automation, and advanced analytics into the sales ecosystem.

Enhance digital sales capabilities, including lead management, customer journeys, and straight‑through processing to improve speed, efficiency, and conversion.

Oversee end‑to‑end sales performance across all channels, ensuring achievement of business targets, productivity improvement, and conversion optimization.

Establish data‑driven sales management practices, including pipeline management, performance tracking, and actionable insights.

Customer Experience & Growth

Drive customer acquisition, engagement, and retention strategies through optimized channel utilization and targeted segmentation.

Ensure a seamless, consistent, and high‑quality customer experience across all physical and digital touchpoints.

Internal & External Collaboration

Partner with Product, Marketing, Digital, Risk, Operations, and other key functions to ensure alignment of sales and distribution strategies.

Build and manage strategic partnerships and external distribution ecosystems to expand market reach and capabilities.

Identify and implement initiatives to enhance sales productivity, channel effectiveness, and cost optimization.

Champion innovation in distribution models, leveraging technology, data, and new market practices.

Reporting & Insights

Ensure accurate and timely reporting of sales performance, channel productivity, and key business metrics.

Provide actionable insights to senior management to support decision‑making and strategic direction.

Job Context:

Specific Accountability

• Own and drive end-to-end Sales and Distribution performance across all banking products, services, and customer segments, ensuring consistent delivery of growth and market share objectives.
• Lead the design and execution of an integrated omni‑channel distribution model, balancing physical and digital channels to maximize reach, productivity, and customer experience.
• Spearhead the bank’s transition toward a digital‑first sales model, including the expansion of digital acquisition, ecosystem partnerships, and data‑driven distribution capabilities.
• Establish and scale strategic distribution partnerships and external ecosystems to accelerate customer acquisition and enhance market presence.
• Drive advanced sales analytics and performance intelligence, leveraging data to optimize channel mix, improve conversion, and enable proactive decision‑making.
• Ensure full alignment with regulatory requirements, internal governance, and risk frameworks, while enabling business growth in a controlled and sustainable manner.
• Act as a key member of the leadership team in shaping the bank’s commercial strategy, go‑to‑market approach, and transformation agenda.

FRAMEWORKS, BOUNDARIES, & DECISION‑MAKING AUTHORITY:

• Operates within the framework of Group policies, regulatory requirements, and the bank’s overall governance structure, ensuring full compliance while enabling business growth and innovation.
• Holds decision‑making authority over Sales and Distribution strategies, channel models, and go‑to‑market approaches across all products, services, and customer segments, within the approved strategic and financial parameters.
• Empowered to allocate resources across distribution channels, optimize channel mix, and implement initiatives to enhance revenue, productivity, and customer experience, in line with approved budgets and performance targets.
• Exercises authority in establishing and managing strategic partnerships and distribution ecosystems, subject to governance and approval frameworks.
• Contributes to executive‑level decision‑making as part of the leadership team, providing insights on market dynamics, customer behavior, and commercial performance to shape the bank’s strategic direction.
• All decisions are executed in alignment with the approved delegation of authority matrix and internal control standards.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Finance, Economics, or a related discipline.
• Master’s degree (e.g., MBA or equivalent) is preferred.
• 12–15 years of progressive experience in banking, with a strong track record in Sales, Distribution, and Commercial leadership roles.
• Minimum of 5–7 years in senior leadership positions with full accountability for revenue growth, sales performance, and distribution strategy.

Experience & Competencies

• Proven leadership in managing bank‑wide or large‑scale multi‑channel distribution models, including branches, direct sales, digital platforms, and strategic partnerships.
• Demonstrated success in driving revenue growth, market expansion, and customer acquisition across multiple products and segments.
• Strong experience in digital transformation, including building digital sales capabilities, leveraging data and analytics, and enabling omni‑channel customer journeys.
• Deep understanding of banking products and services across retail and/or broader segments, with strong awareness of market dynamics, particularly within KSA.
• Track record in performance management, sales productivity enhancement, and channel optimization at scale.
• Experience in building and leading high‑performing teams, with a focus on leadership development and succession planning.
• Strong commercial acumen combined with sound understanding of regulatory frameworks, risk management, and governance.