Managing Director – Corporate Banking Group

Managing Director – Corporate Banking Group

Organization: First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB)
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Employment type: Full-time
Work arrangement: On-site;

About First Abu Dhabi Bank

First Abu Dhabi Bank is the UAE's largest bank and one of the region's major international financial institutions. Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, it operates across five continents and has a presence in more than 20 markets.

Its business is organized around major areas including Investment Banking & Markets, Wholesale Banking, and Personal, Business, Wealth and Privileged Client Banking. The bank serves corporates, financial institutions, government-related entities, businesses and individual customers through a broad range of financial products and services.

FAB's wider strategic priorities include:

Strengthening its position in corporate and wholesale banking.

Supporting cross-border trade, investment and liquidity flows.

Expanding digital innovation and customer-focused banking solutions.

Supporting sustainable finance and economic diversification.

Developing long-term relationships with major corporate and institutional clients.

Role purpose and scope

The Managing Director will be responsible for growing and managing FAB's Corporate Banking business in Dubai. The position carries responsibility for leading a team of Unit Heads and Relationship Managers, overseeing client relationships and ensuring that the business achieves its financial and commercial objectives.

This is a senior commercial leadership position involving business origination, corporate client development, revenue growth, portfolio quality and team performance.

The successful candidate would be expected to combine strategic direction with direct oversight of business execution, ensuring that the corporate banking operation continues to expand while maintaining appropriate risk standards and customer service.

Full job responsibilities

1. Corporate client and market development

Analyze corporate clients, industries, markets and geographical exposure to identify business opportunities and potential risks.

Monitor market developments, competitors, regulatory changes and industry trends.

Develop and maintain client account plans that reflect changing market conditions and business priorities.

Identify opportunities to expand the bank's corporate client relationships and product offerings.

1. Business origination and revenue growth

Originate new business opportunities with target corporate clients across the bank's product offerings.

Develop business proposals and transaction documentation, including term sheets, information memoranda and mandate letters.

Work with internal stakeholders and governance teams to progress and close transactions.

Coordinate with product and risk teams to assess credit, market and operational risks.

Identify cross-border business opportunities through FAB's international network.

Develop strategic relationships with major UAE developers and relevant authorities.

Increase product penetration and improve portfolio returns.

Lead business pitches, negotiations and transaction execution.

Maintain relationships with key decision-makers in other banks and relevant institutions.

1. Corporate relationship and portfolio management

Deliver assigned financial and non-financial business objectives.

Address the borrowing and non-borrowing needs of corporate clients.

Develop account plans with support from product, international banking, employee banking and asset management teams.

Support periodic credit reviews and recommend appropriate credit facilities in line with bank policies.

Monitor portfolio quality, documentation, client visits, credit checks and market feedback.

Organize senior-level client meetings to strengthen relationships.

Identify cross-selling opportunities and improve client returns.

Support client onboarding and maintain high customer satisfaction.

1. Strategic collaboration

Work with Corporate Banking teams and other business units to identify and convert commercial opportunities.

Collaborate with Risk, Payments and Cash Management, Trade Finance, Retail Banking and Private Banking teams.

Coordinate with International Banking to support clients across FAB's international network.

Contribute to unit-level, divisional and bank-wide strategic initiatives.

Help improve customer propositions, service delivery and internal collaboration.

1. Risk, compliance and operational oversight

Ensure compliance with internal policies, procedures and operating standards.

Monitor credit, operational and compliance risks across the portfolio.

Ensure KYC and AML requirements are fulfilled.

Monitor credit reviews, facility conditions and client documentation.

Maintain accurate client records and satisfactory audit standards.

Oversee pipeline updates, client follow-ups and operational performance requirements.

Support business continuity and internal audit requirements.

1. Executive leadership and people management

Lead, mentor, motivate and develop Unit Heads, Relationship Managers and other team members.

Establish a high-performance culture and maintain strong employee engagement.

Set clear responsibilities and encourage accountability throughout the team.

Drive individual and collective financial performance.

Support succession planning, recruitment and professional development.

Build a capable leadership team that can deliver both immediate business objectives and longer-term growth.

Leadership expectations

The role requires a leader who can operate at both strategic and execution levels. The successful individual would be expected to:

Set the commercial direction for the Corporate Banking business in Dubai.

Lead senior banking professionals and hold teams accountable for performance.

Develop and maintain relationships with major corporate clients and decision-makers.

Drive revenue growth while protecting portfolio quality.

Work effectively with senior stakeholders across the bank.

Identify new business opportunities and translate them into sustainable commercial results.

Qualifications and experience

The published listing specifies:

A bachelor's degree in Finance or a related discipline.

An MBA is preferred.

At least 15 years of Corporate Banking and/or Investment Banking experience.

At least 10 years of team management experience.

Strong knowledge of Wholesale Banking.

Financial and credit analysis expertise.

Experience in relationship management, business origination and transaction development.

Financial modelling and data analysis capabilities.

Strong communication, stakeholder management and leadership skills.

Familiarity with banking products, business strategy and relevant regulatory requirements.

Location and working arrangement

The published position is based in Dubai, UAE, and is listed as a full-time, on-site role. The listing does not specify relocation assistance or flexible working arrangements, so those details would need to be clarified with the employer.

Compensation and benefits

The published vacancy does not disclose a salary range, annual bonus, executive incentives or benefits package. I would rather be transparent about that than provide an unverified compensation estimate.

If the opportunity is of interest, the compensation structure to clarify would include:

Base salary and executive-grade positioning.

Annual performance bonus and applicable incentives.

Long-term incentive arrangements, if available.

Medical coverage and other executive benefits.

Relocation or housing support, if applicable.

Strategic priorities of the position

At its core, this position is focused on growing FAB's Corporate Banking franchise in Dubai. The main priorities include expanding the corporate client portfolio, increasing revenue, strengthening client relationships, improving cross-selling, developing new business opportunities, maintaining sound credit quality and building a high-performing banking leadership team.