Partner – Financial Services

Company Description

Roland Berger, founded in 1967, is the only leading consultancy with German heritage and European origin. By joining Roland Berger, you choose an employer who has supported diversity of cultures, mentalities, and perspectives since its founding. We believe that great ideas and new perspectives are inspired by diverse teams from a variety of backgrounds. That's why we want you to be authentic, be yourself. Be the Original You.

Job Description

We are seeking a Partner to grow our Banking business within the Financial Services practice in the Middle East. Financial Services is a key business line for Roland Berger globally, and banking represents a significant growth opportunity for the firm in the region, particularly in Saudi Arabia.

Role purpose

• Grow Roland Berger’s relationships and consulting business with commercial banks and other banking-sector stakeholders across the Middle East, with a particular focus on Saudi Arabia.
• The Partner will originate and lead high-impact strategy and transformation mandates, deepen relationships with senior banking executives, and contribute to the continued development of Roland Berger’s Financial Services practice in the region.Key responsibilities

• Originate and lead banking mandates across strategy, growth, transformation, operating model, digital and technology, cost and productivity, and other CEO-level strategic priorities
• Develop and manage senior client relationships with CEOs, board members, business heads, and other C-suite executives across leading banks in the Middle East, particularly in Saudi Arabia and UAE
• Shape bank-wide strategies and transformations, including corporate strategy, business portfolio and growth strategy, customer and distribution strategy, digital transformation, operating model, and performance improvement.
• Build Roland Berger’s banking franchise in the region, developing priority accounts, building a strong pipeline, and converting senior relationships into sustainable client partnerships and revenues.
• Bring deep banking sector expertise, combining an understanding of regional market dynamics with relevant global trends and best practices across retail, corporate and wholesale banking.
• Provide senior oversight and quality assurance on complex banking engagements, ensuring rigorous problem solving, practical recommendations, and tangible client impact.
• Build and mentor a high-performing Financial Services team, developing banking capabilities and supporting the attraction, development, and retention of strong consulting talent.
• Collaborate across practices and geographies, working closely with Roland Berger’s global Financial Services network and relevant functional and sector practices to bring the best capabilities to Middle East clients.
• Support building Roland Berger’s external profile in banking, representing the firm with clients, regulators, industry forums, and other ecosystem stakeholders and contributing to relevant thought leadership.

Qualifications

Required experience

• 15+ years of professional experience, with substantial experience in strategy consulting serving banks and financial institutions.
• Strategy consulting experience is essential, ideally with a leading international strategy consulting firm.
• Currently based and working in the Middle East, with at least 3-5 years of recent Middle East experience.
• Deep banking experience in the Middle East, with particular strength in Saudi Arabia/UAE and a demonstrated understanding of its banking market and competitive landscape.
• Proven track record of originating and leading large strategic and transformation engagements for banks, with strong senior client relationships and commercial credentials.
• Broad exposure to key banking topics such as corporate and growth strategy, retail and corporate banking, customer strategy, digital transformation, operating models, productivity, and performance improvement.
• Experience working with CEOs, boards, and senior banking executives, with the ability to operate as a trusted strategic adviser.Arabic language capability is an advantage but not mandatory.

Skills and attributes

• Strong commercial and entrepreneurial mindset, with the ability to originate business, build senior relationships, and develop major accounts over time.
• Deep banking expertise and strategic judgment, with the ability to engage credibly with bank CEOs and senior executives on their most important strategic issues.
• Exceptional C-suite communication and relationship skills, combining intellectual credibility with the ability to build long-term client trust.
• Strong problem-solving capabilities, with the ability to translate complex banking issues into clear strategic choices and executable solutions.
• Senior leadership presence, with the ability to lead large, complex engagements and multidisciplinary teams in demanding client environments.
• Inclusive people leadership, with a strong track record of developing senior consulting talent and collaborating effectively across practices and geographies.
• Entrepreneurial and collaborative approach, with the ambition to help build Roland Berger’s Financial Services franchise rather than simply manage an existing portfolio.