Summary
First Abu Dhabi Bank is hiring an Associate Director to manage and grow a portfolio of corporate clients in the education sector in Abu Dhabi. The role covers financial analysis, credit structuring and documentation, risk assessment, KYC reviews, renewals, and day-to-day client and transaction management. The Associate Director will also pursue new-to-bank business and cross-selling opportunities, particularly in transaction banking and Treasury/FX, while coordinating with internal risk, legal, and compliance teams. Applicants need a bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline, 5–7 years of corporate banking, structured finance, or investment banking experience, and proven education-sector client experience; the role is Emiratized.
The posting
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JOB SUMMARY / INTRODUCTION
To drive the financial analysis, structural execution, and day-to-day management of an account portfolio within the Education sector. The Associate Director acts as the execution engine for the department, collaborating closely with product partners to structure credit facilities, support completion of regular KYC reviews and STRs raised, navigate internal risk and compliance grids, and identify cross-sell opportunities. While supporting the Director on mega-mandates, the AD is independently responsible for managing mid-market client relationships and delivering targeted revenue and New-to-Bank (NTB) growth.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead detailed financial analysis conducted on clients and their respective sub-sectors (K-12, Higher Ed, Nurseries) to identify commercial opportunities and mitigate structural risks.
- Prepare end-to-end transaction documentation including complex credit applications, term sheets, information memoranda, and mandate letters.
- Assess and address credit, market, and operational risks in active collaboration with risk and product enablement teams.
- Take ownership of coordinating with the KYC team to ensure the timely completion of periodic KYC reviews for all clients within the portfolio.
- Ensure all credit reviews and annual renewals are submitted promptly and comply with agreed covenant conditions.
- Maintain excellent credit quality, compliance and AML approvlas across the assigned portfolio in strict compliance with bank standards and regulatory targets.
- Identify and secure New-to-Bank (NTB) business with targeted educational corporate clients.
- Drive maximum cross-selling velocity across WBG products, heavily focusing on Global Transaction Banking (tuition collection infrastructure, cash management, liquidity) and Treasury/FX.
- Construct and maintain proactive client account plans to map institutional wallet share.
- Own the day-to-day transaction administration, client communications, onboarding pipelines, and account opening procedures.
- Ensure full execution compliance with mandatory KYC, AML, and regulatory frameworks.
- Maintain satisfactory internal and external audit outcomes for the assigned portfolio by keeping pristine client documentation.
- Credit Technical Ownership: Serves as the primary financial modeler and technical underwriting writer for the education book to accelerate decision-making turnarounds.
- Internal Stakeholder Coordination: Acts as the primary liaison navigating the internal bank matrix (Risk, Legal, Compliance) to clear transactional bottlenecks and fast-track deal approvals.
- Functions within the framework and boundaries of Group policies as well as overall organisational and governance frameworks.
REQUIREMENTS / QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Business Management, or a related quantitative discipline.
- Strong knowledge of Wholesale Banking credit structures, market solutions, and corporate strategies.
- Direct Sector Experience: Must have a proven track record handling corporate clients in the Education sector (understanding their seasonal enrollment cash flows, Capex needs, and regulatory limits).
- Deep proficiency in financial modeling, corporate risk analysis, and Treasury/FX hedging concepts.
- Exceptional communication and internal diplomacy skills to influence internal committees.
- 5–7 years of experience in Corporate Banking Coverage, Structured Finance, or Investment Banking.
Preferred / Beneficial
- Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) or Finance is highly preferred.
- Formal bank credit training or CFA certification is highly advantageous.