Regional Area Head; Emiratization

Our client, a prominent bank in the UAE, is seeking an experienced Regional Head to lead all operational activities. You will oversee a team of 300+ people across the regional operations hub, service centres and branch offices. The role ensures seamless service delivery, operational excellence and regulatory compliance, while supporting corporate and investment banking clients and aligning regional initiatives with the bank’s strategic objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and develop a large team of 300+
• Oversee regional operations across branches, service centres and the operations hub
• Manage relationship management support for corporate and investment banking clients
• Drive SLA compliance, turnaround times and operational controls
• Lead risk management, business continuity and audit readiness
• Report on regional performance to senior management
• Partner with Retail, Corporate Banking, Credit, Risk, Compliance and Technology teams
• Represent the bank in community and CSR initiatives

Candidate Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance or a related field
• Minimum 9 years of experience in people management and leadership, preferably in financial services
• Strong knowledge of banking operations and systems
• Solid understanding of UAE and GCC regulatory and compliance requirements
• Proven ability to lead large, multi-site teams and drive engagement and performance
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at senior levels
• Strong project management, organisational and scheduling skills
• Experience in budgeting, administration and operational control