Associate Director - CFIB

Role Overview

Associate Director - Corporate Finance and Investment Banking at ADIB, based in Dubai or Abu Dhabi.

Role Purpose

This role originates, structures and executes corporate finance transactions with Wholesale Banking Group and Financial Institutions clients. The role holder delivers Sharia-compliant financing solutions across ADIB's core markets, working closely with coverage teams, other CFIB teams, and internal stakeholders to support deal origination, build strategic relationships, and provide solutions aligned with ADIB's risk appetite and strategy.

Key Responsibilities

Deal Origination & Structuring

• Evaluate, structure and execute deals in collaboration with coverage and credit teams.
• Assume full responsibility for deal origination, structuring of financing solutions and execution of deals.
• Take ownership of financial modelling, due diligence, credit analysis, Sharia structuring, preparation of pitch decks and transaction materials.
• Lead idea generation, especially application of Sharia structuring, to secure lead roles for ADIB on financing transactions.
• Structure facilities that comply with approved risk appetite, credit policy and return thresholds.
• Demonstrate ability to integrate capabilities and expertise to manage deal dynamics and meet client requirements.

Documentation & Negotiation

• Take ownership of negotiation of facility documentation and financial closure.
• Prepare and negotiate terms sheets and mandate letters.
• Negotiate documentation for deals with clients, lawyers and syndicate banks in close consultation with Sharia.
• Prepare bank presentations and lead syndication strategy in consultation with clients.

Deal Execution & Lifecycle Management

• Conduct due diligence and perform in-depth credit analysis, including financial due diligence.
• Identify and address key risks during due diligence, transaction structuring, credit approval and documentation stages.
• Embed the "originate to distribute" model in origination of structured finance or syndicated transactions.
• Execute all aspects of the deal lifecycle independently with ability to engage with Head of CFIB, Division Heads, Regional Heads within WBG and credit approvers.

Team Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Supervise associates within CFIB and provide deal team leadership.
• Ensure regular communication with key stakeholders to position structured and syndicated finance business and address emerging issues proactively.
• Be a highly motivated team player with ability to manage deal teams.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with applicable Sharia requirements, relevant Central Bank regulations, other applicable regulations and ADIB's internal risk and compliance policies.
• Achieve successful Sharia and internal audit outcomes with no high risk or repeat findings.
• Review and ensure all audit files are maintained and achieve satisfactory audit reviews.
• Manage deal folders and support internal reporting and portfolio monitoring requirements on a timely basis.
• Demonstrate sound understanding of market and business trends and material risk factors that impact credit quality and business and financial conditions.
• Track and communicate relevant market and economic developments.

Business Development & Pipeline Management

• Develop robust deals pipeline in line with overall financial objectives.
• Review and update deals in pipeline reports on a regular basis to accelerate deal closure.
• Keep CFIB Head updated of major developments in relation to transactions under execution.
• Originate and convert new mandates and develop robust pipeline of transactions.
• Ensure fee revenue is met or exceeded in line with the annual budget.

Qualifications & Experience

• At least 7-10 years of experience in corporate finance, M&A, advisory or private equity resulting in direct experience in financial modelling, capital raising, business valuations and credit ratings.
• Experience preferably in the UAE and the GCC at a leading international, regional or UAE bank, or a combination thereof.
• Outstanding academic record, including a Masters degree, MBA, CFA, CA or equivalent from a reputed university.

Skills & Competencies

• Effective communicator with ability to present complex issues to senior audiences internally and externally.
• Strong track record and demonstrated ability to manage end-to-end structuring and execution of deals through the lifecycle.
• Strong project management skills and ability to manage complex transactions with multiple internal and external parties.
• Sophisticated understanding of financing considerations and experience in negotiation of facility documentation based on LMA standards.
• Sound understanding of credit and market risk.
• Strong analytical and financial modelling capabilities.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer relationship skills.
• Strong suite of relationships within MENA banks and financial institutions.
• Ability to work under pressure, stay calm, manage conflicts and adjust quickly to changing priorities.
• Ability and willingness to work longer hours beyond official working hours to ensure client satisfaction due to the time-sensitive nature of deal lifecycle and highly competitive business.

Additional Information

• The time-sensitive nature of the deal lifecycle and highly competitive nature of the business requires willingness to work extended hours to ensure client satisfaction.