Executive Director, Head of Real Asset Syndicate & Distribution

Role Overview

Executive Director, Head of Real Asset Syndicate & Distribution at First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), Abu Dhabi. This role leads the newly established Real Asset Syndicate & Distribution (RASD) vertical under Loan Syndicate & Distribution (LSD).

Company Overview

First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) operates a Global Commercial Finance (GCF) business that provides loan underwriting, syndication and distribution services. The Loan Syndicate & Distribution team delivers market intelligence, underwriting expertise and distribution capabilities to support GCF's loan businesses across multiple sectors including real estate, project and infrastructure financing, and asset-based financing.

Role Purpose

To lead the RASD vertical and leverage LSD's reputation and market knowledge to support FAB's growth ambitions in real asset financing globally. This includes identifying syndication opportunities, executing transactions, managing revenue and distribution, and developing the bank's real assets capabilities while building and maintaining relationships with key external and internal stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Underwriting & Syndication

• Identify loan underwriting and syndication opportunities in the real assets space
• Underwrite, bookrun and distribute syndicated loans
• Act as the go-to person for real assets transactions in FAB's underwriting book
• Take and extinguish underwriting risks within the bank's approved framework and policies
• Lead negotiations of key underwriting and syndication/distribution terms with strategic clients, banks and investors
• Review and supervise all market activity related to underwriting and primary syndication

Strategy & Development

• Develop FAB's RASD capabilities in coordination with the Head of LSD while adapting to competitive, regulatory and environmental factors
• Develop the overall strategy for RASD with emphasis on underwriting decisions and processes, primary syndication and secondary sale
• Develop an optimal coverage model for Loan Distribution, especially for key investors to real asset transactions
• Assist in the implementation of new products as required

Business Development & Growth

• Manage execution and support business development leading to revenue growth
• Assist in origination of new loan facilities covered by RASD through effective distribution
• Provide quality inputs into pitches to win major real asset financing mandates and lead subsequent execution and distribution
• Work with other LSD team members to support business plan, service existing clients and establish new relationships
• Establish new relationships while ensuring effectiveness in identifying business opportunities, addressing client needs and sustaining profitable business growth

Stakeholder Management

• Work with the Head of LSD to build and maintain relationships with senior management of banks, financial institutions, private credit funds and CLO managers
• Establish and foster strong working relationships with key internal stakeholders including IB&M, WB, PCG Coverage, Credit, CAD, Legal and Compliance

Secondary Markets

• Identify and execute secondary trade opportunities
• Review and supervise all market activity related to secondary purchase and sales

Leadership & Governance

• Manage revenue, expenses and KPI targets for RASD
• Provide mentorship to junior members of the team, especially the UAENs under the Ethraa program

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business or related discipline; MBA, CA and/or professional qualifications preferred
• 10–12 years of relevant experience in corporate and real asset financing in similar positions with progressively increasing managerial responsibilities in a senior function
• Good understanding of US and European real asset financing markets including real estate financing, project and infrastructure financing, aviation and shipping, and distribution liquidity pools
• Existing relationship network with banks and credit fund investors who would participate in real asset loan transactions
• Proven track record of delivery of critical projects
• Strategic thinker and agent for change
• Good coaching skills

Skills & Competencies

• Proficient in English oral and written communication
• Good interpersonal and motivation skills
• Resource management and marketing-oriented skills