Associate Vice President - Group Strategy & Corporate Development

About the Role

As an AVP – Group Strategy & Corporate Development, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and executing RAKBANK's strategic agenda. Working closely with the Executive Vice President & Head of Group Strategy & Corporate Development, you will help drive enterprise-wide transformation initiatives, strategic planning, and decision-making across the Bank.

This is a high-impact role for a commercially minded strategist who thrives on solving complex business challenges, influencing senior stakeholders, and translating strategy into measurable business outcomes.

What You'll Be Doing:

Strategic Planning & Execution

• Support the development and execution of the Bank's strategic roadmap and transformation agenda.
• Partner with business and enablement functions to ensure strategic priorities are translated into actionable initiatives.
• Drive strategic planning activities and monitor progress against key objectives.
• Ensure alignment between corporate strategy, business plans, and execution priorities.

Enterprise Transformation

• Manage and monitor the delivery of key bank-wide strategic initiatives.
• Track progress, identify risks, and ensure timely execution of transformation programs.
• Collaborate with initiative owners across the organization to drive accountability and outcomes.
• Support change management and execution governance across major strategic projects.

Strategic Analysis & Decision Support

• Conduct market, industry, competitor, and macroeconomic analysis to identify growth opportunities and strategic risks.
• Develop business cases, financial models, and strategic recommendations for senior management.
• Provide analytical insights that support long-term planning and business decision-making.
• Challenge assumptions and contribute to strategic discussions across the organization.

Performance & Business Planning

• Support the annual strategic planning and budgeting process in partnership with Group Finance and business leaders.
• Help define and cascade KPIs across the organization to align with strategic objectives.
• Monitor strategic performance and recommend corrective actions where necessary.
• Assist in evaluating the effectiveness of strategic initiatives and business performance.

Stakeholder Management

• Work closely with senior management, business leaders, and cross-functional teams across the Bank.
• Coordinate stakeholder engagement activities and drive alignment on key strategic initiatives.
• Prepare executive presentations, committee materials, and strategic updates.
• Communicate complex strategic concepts in a clear and compelling manner.

What We're Looking For:

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Economics, or a related field.
• MBA or other postgraduate qualification preferred.

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of experience in Corporate Strategy, Management Consulting, Banking, Financial Services, Corporate Development, or a related field.
• Proven experience supporting strategic initiatives and transformation programs.
• Strong track record of working with senior stakeholders and cross-functional teams.

Industry Exposure

• Experience within banking, financial services, consulting, or highly analytical corporate environments.
• Understanding of banking business models, value drivers, financial performance metrics, and strategic planning.
• Experience conducting market research, competitor analysis, and financial modelling.

What’s In It For You:

• Competitive, performance-linked compensation.
• Medical coverage for you and your family.
• Comprehensive life insurance.
• Exposure to executive leadership and enterprise-level decision-making.
• Opportunity to influence the future strategic direction of one of the UAE's leading banks.
• Involvement in high-profile transformation and growth initiatives.
• A collaborative, high-performance culture focused on innovation and continuous improvement.

Skills:

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to evaluate complex business issues and develop actionable recommendations.
• Analytical Excellence: Strong financial modelling, business analysis, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Stakeholder Management: Ability to influence and engage senior stakeholders across the organization.
• Communication: Exceptional presentation and executive communication skills.
• Project Management: Strong ability to manage multiple strategic initiatives simultaneously.
• Commercial Acumen: Understanding of banking economics, business performance drivers, and market dynamics.