Head of Finance - CIBG.Injaz-Wholesale Banking Finance & Planning.Corporate Affairs

This is a critical senior leadership role which sits within the Corporate Affairs function, part of the GCFO Office, and supports the Group’s strategic finance agenda through close alignment with CIBG leadership. 

This role is responsible for managing the financial performance of Mashreq’s Corporate and Investment Banking Group - a core pillar of the bank contributing to nearly half of the Group’s total revenue. The CIBG Finance function spans multiple strategic and high-impact sectors including Real Estate, Trading, Services & Manufacturing, Public Sector & Energy, and Contracting Finance, as well as key product groups like Investment Banking, Global Transaction Banking (GTB), Corporate Origination, Mashreq Al Islami, and Digital Studio. 

The incumbent acts as the first point of contact and day-to-day finance partner for the Group Head of CIBG, ensuring alignment on financial strategy, performance, and decision-making.

The role is designed to provide proactive financial advisory to the Head of CIBG and Head of Finance - Wholesale Banking Groups, enable strategic business decision-making, and drive transformation across the finance function.

The incumbent will ensure rigorous performance management, real-time financial insight, and robust governance to support growth, profitability, and enterprise-wide initiatives.

This position will also play a pivotal role in driving digital and AI-led transformation across the CIBG finance domain, championing standardization, automation, and predictive analytics. 

The incumbent will play a strategic role in supporting the GCFO’s leadership agenda and contribute to Group-wide finance initiatives through the Wholesale Banking Finance leadership platform

Lead business advice, strategic financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and performance management processes for CIBG, ensuring alignment with Group strategy and enabling data-driven decision-making.

Oversee the financial processes to ensure risks and opportunities are identified and addressed in a timely manner.

Serve as the single point of contact for the Finance Head of Wholesale Banking and Group Head of CIBG on all CIBG finance-related matters.

Drive standardization, digitalization, and alignment across CIBG finance processes and systems.

Ensure robust financial governance, risk management, and compliance in coordination with Country CFOs.

Oversee and ensure financial controls are in place across CIBG Finance, supporting the integrity of financial reporting and compliance with Group policies and regulatory standards.

Lead implementation of finance transformation initiatives and adoption of emerging technologies including AI tools for planning and performance tracking.

Represent Finance in CIBG and Group-wide steering committees and strategic forums.

Prepare the consolidated MBO for the Group Head of CIBG, including performance data related to the Financial Institutions (FI) segment, and provide this to the Head of Wholesale Banking Finance to enable an enterprise-wide view.

Critically review business initiatives, challenge assumptions, and provide actionable recommendations to senior leadership.

Supervise and develop a high-performing finance team, driving a culture of agility, integrity, and innovation.

Champion Emiratization, talent development, and succession planning.

Consolidate CIBG strategic plans into financials and monitor KPIs to ensure performance delivery.

Operating Environment, Framework and Boundaries, Working Relationships

• Operates in a dynamic, high-growth business landscape across complex regulatory environments.
• Interacts daily with the Head of Finance - Wholesale Banking, Group Head of CIBG, product heads, segment heads, operations, and risk.
• Provides day-to-day financial oversight to CIBG business segments and works closely with segment/product finance teams, ensuring alignment with Wholesale Banking governance under the Head of Finance - WB.
• Collaborates extensively with Transformation, Digital, Risk, and Operations to drive financial integration and performance initiatives.
• Coordinates with external auditors, regulators, and strategy consultants on key business and financial matters.
• Represents CIBG Finance in senior forums and cross-functional committees at the Group level.

Problem Solving

• Navigates complex financial and commercial challenges across sectors and geographies.
• Evaluates and responds to rapidly evolving regulatory and accounting standards.
• Integrates business strategies with digital, risk, and operations inputs to align financial decisions with enterprise goals.
• Continuously enhances MIS systems and data analytics to support forward-looking financial decisions.
• Provides strategic alternatives and fact-based recommendations for new product launches, partnerships, and growth markets.

Decision Making Authority & Responsibility

• Approves and oversees financial plans, performance targets, and resource allocations for CIBG.
• Jointly approves major capital and operating expenditures alongside Group Head of CIBG and Head of Finance – Wholesale Banking Groups.
• Owns CIBG’s financial governance and drives accountability for business unit performance.
• Leads performance evaluation of segment finance leads and supports MBO rating calibrations.
• Contributes to bank-wide strategic decisions through active engagement in key working committees.
• ACA / MBA or equivalent qualification.
• 15+ years of experience in financial leadership roles within Corporate/Wholesale Banking.
• In-depth knowledge of sectoral finance including Real Estate, FI, Public Sector, and Investment Banking.
• Proven ability to lead finance transformation, build scalable systems, and manage cross-border teams.
• Strong analytical and commercial acumen with hands-on financial modeling skills.
• Effective communicator with a strategic mindset and executive-level presence.
• Deep understanding of banking regulations, risk frameworks, and compliance standards.
• Demonstrated commitment to developing talent and building a high-performing finance culture.