Executive Director & Head of Investment Advisory

Role Overview

Executive Director & Head of Investment Advisory at First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), based in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Company Overview

First Abu Dhabi Bank is the largest bank in the UAE and one of the world's largest and safest financial institutions. FAB offers a comprehensive range of personal and private banking services, including credit cards, Islamic banking, investments, loans, and mortgages. The bank is committed to excellence and innovation, delivering top-tier financial solutions to clients globally. FAB fosters a performance-based culture with unique career choices, learning and development initiatives, and structured progression for all talent levels.

Role Purpose

The Investment Advisory function forms a key pillar of Global Private Banking's investment services offering. This role leads the delivery of complex cross-asset class active investment advisory services and solutions directly to select clients of the Private Banking and Key Client Group segments. The position combines senior management responsibility for investment advisory teams across Dubai and Abu Dhabi with direct client-facing advisory work, requiring deep financial markets expertise, strong interpersonal skills, and proven people management capability.

Key Responsibilities

Team Leadership & Talent Management

• Manage the Investment Advisory teams in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
• Attract and retain talented investment professionals.
• Act as a player/coach managing a portfolio of key clients whilst supporting team members.
• Proactively lead the team to ensure maintenance of up-to-date records of investment proposals and portfolio reviews.

Client Advisory & Portfolio Management

• Work on a day-to-day basis directly with clients to advise them on the management of their investment portfolios in line with their stated goals and investment objectives.
• Generate investment ideas tailored to market trends, customer profile, and FAB investment views, and deliver those ideas to clients in a suitable and appropriate manner.
• Advise clients on building investment portfolios in line with both the bank's house view and clients' respective risk profiles and investment objectives.
• Ensure advice is delivered in a suitable and appropriate manner in line with all local regulations and international standards.
• Take a holistic view of the overall investment relationship across Advisory, Discretionary, and Execution only portfolios.

Portfolio Execution & Risk Management

• Conduct robust and detailed portfolio management, execution, and follow-up of Investment Advisory mandates in adherence with the Bank's policies and procedures.
• Perform day-to-day risk management and monitoring of Investment Advisory mandates.
• Actively manage risk and investment performance, and suggest required changes in portfolio structure to clients.
• Suggest portfolio rebalancing as appropriate.
• Ensure that the team's portfolios are tailored to the client's risk profiles and objectives, and communicate to clients any deviation.
• Maximize the performance of portfolios in adherence with the client's investment objectives and profile.
• Implement portfolio strategies by choosing appropriate investment products from the list of selected securities (Focus List).

Mandate Acquisition, Retention & Marketing

• Partner with the coverage teams in the acquisition and retention of new Investment Advisory mandates.
• Pitch Investment Advisory services directly to select clients of the Private Banking and Key Clients Group.
• Jointly own the Advisory KPIs in terms of AuMs and Revenues and apportion them amongst the team.
• Proactively partner with Relationship Managers in Business Development activities by preparing and delivering client pitches, providing portfolio advice at client meetings, and resolving client investment-related issues.
• Ensure that the relevant process is followed when marketing investment solutions and that each relevant policy is respected.

Client Interaction & Operations

• Conduct daily interaction with clients on their portfolio and resolution of client-related issues in the management of the client's investment assets.
• Ensure the proper processing of client instructions from idea sharing to booking a trade.
• Actively promote investment opportunities across the full spectrum of asset classes in line with FAB investment views and Tactical Allocation whilst monitoring the investments of advisory clients.
• Participate in publishing and maintaining Focus Lists on equities, fixed income, and managed investments.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Finance, or Master's Degree, or an industry qualification.
• At least 10+ years of experience in a similar environment.
• Excellent knowledge of the financial markets and financial tools.
• Deep understanding of the global economy and capital markets, equity and fixed income analysis, asset allocation, portfolio construction, and risk management for client portfolios.
• Solid understanding of investments business, asset classes, fund structures, and investment processes.
• Knowledge of and experience in products sourcing and management in the investment industry.
• Experience in various asset classes.
• CPA/CFA or equivalent will be an advantage.

Skills & Competencies

• Excellent knowledge of the financial markets and financial tools.
• Deep understanding of the global economy and capital markets.
• Equity and fixed income analysis.
• Asset allocation.
• Portfolio construction.
• Risk management for client portfolios.
• Solid analytic and communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and people management skills.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written).
• Team player with a positive attitude.
• Ability to work to tight deadlines.