Executive Director Finance

Job Description

Executive Director, Head of MENA, Real Estate Finance

Senior role within the Real Estate Finance team with the purpose of originating and executing Real Estate Finance transactions for CIB clients of the Bank and to support the real estate transactions of wider REF team globally. Develop strategic relationships with banks and real estate professionals to identify REF opportunities that are aligned to FAB’s client and credit appetite. Work closely with the Corporate and Financial Institutions coverage teams and product teams of FAB.

To act as a centre of excellence for Real Estate financing in the Bank. To ensure an environment and culture of origination and creative thinking and solutions are fostered at all times

Work closely with all departments of the Bank to ensure deal opportunities are activated and communication is harmonised.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

The role encompasses, enhancing the bank’s capabilities in the real estate finance covering all forms of RE finance structures in addition to identifying opportunities for equity origination and deal placement. This will involve:

• Meeting clients/sponsors.
• Originating, structuring and executing new deals along with the coverage & credit team.
• Thoroughly review the existing CRE loan book and identify opportunities to secure existing loans business through a combination of refinance and restructuring.
• Build a platform for growth to support new business initiatives across the FAB footprint.
• Working with other market leaders on transactions and further enhancing FAB’s international profile.
• Taking the lead in pricing discussions with clients.
• Working on internal reporting, MIS requirements and support the Head of REF in strategic initiatives.
• Help contribute to the GCF budget in addition to being alive to opportunities in our GM, Agency & DCM businesses.
• The person will be responsible for buildingassets and achieving budget via P&L both on a shadow income (hedging income) perspective for deals bookedand a hard cash basis for underwriting skim, structuring & participation fees.

Budgets and Plans:

• Contribute to the preparation of the sub-departmental budget and monitor the section’s cost ratio and make the Head of Real Estate Finance aware of performance gaps with suggestions to rectify and improve performance.

Internal Collaboration:

• Maintain strong internal relations and collaborate with Coverage partners (IBG, FIG, Corporate Banking, New Client Acquisition) in order to maximise product development & revenue generation opportunities.
• Develop service level targets and manage the coordination of the section with other departments to meet service expectations.

Policies, Systems, Processes, & Procedures:

• Implement departmental policies, systems, and procedure so that all relevant procedural/ legislative requirements are fulfilled while delivering a quality and cost-effective service.

MIS and Reports:

Supervise and provide inputs in the preparation of timely and accurate sub-departmental statements and reports (esp. the Underwriting & Sales Report) to meet FAB’s and departmental requirements, policies, and standards.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

Knowledge & Experience:

• Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business or a related discipline.
• 10+ years of experience in managing and facilitating real estate loans business in a banking environment.
• In-depth knowledge of the Real Estate sector, and FAB’s products and business strategies.
• Deep understanding and working knowledge of international real estate debt markets and syndicated loan & debt capital market.

Skills:

Ability to build and develop strategic relationships.
 

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Ability to understand financing structures based on the current & expected market conditions.

Ability to multi-task with strong credit, structuring and LMA documentation, expertise required.

Strong negotiating skills and ability to exercise good judgment which balances needs of client, investors and FAB.

Solid understanding of accounting and financial statements.

Ability to work under pressure and adjust quickly to changing priorities.

About the job

Job Purpose

This role “AVP, Financial Control” supports the implementation and ongoing monitoring of the financial control policies across the Group, and ultimately contributes to strengthening the Group’s control environment by ensuring that all balance sheet substantiation activities are conducted in an effective and appropriate manner.

Key Accountabilities

Generic Accountability

• Ongoing monitoring to ensure compliance with all the financial control policies across the Group, which include the Account Ownership and Verification policy.
• Oversight and management of the various control and governance activities (e.g., Account Ownership and Verification, Internal Accounts Review, GL mapping, etc.) to ensure integrity of the group’s balance sheet.
• Timely reporting and escalation to senior management, and follow-up on the resolution of identified issues.
  

Job Context

Specific Accountability

• Assist with the proper implementation of all financial control policies in the Group and ensure oversight over the smooth functioning of such activities thereafter.
• Review and ensure the accuracy of all data and conduct required checks prior to loading the account information into OneFC, the tool used to manage the balance sheet substantiation activities.
• Ensure coordination and completion of the monthly Account Ownership and Verification (AOV) exercise across the Group. Monitor and review submissions to ensure the same is in line with the established standards and appropriately captures the results of the embedded controls.
• Liaise with account owners and ensure all self-identified issues reported through the RAG and IAR have a corrective action plan with an action owner and a target resolution date. Follow-up for the timely resolution of all such issues.
• Prepare the monthly Account Ownership and Verification pack for management.
• Update the Account Ownership Inventory table with the risk rating and nature / purpose of accounts to have a central repository of these details in the OneFC tool.
• Carry out conformance testing as per the approved standards for all the accounts owned by Business and Operations teams with full documentation.
• Support units with resolving issues highlighted through this exercise.
• Enhance the monthly substantiation and conformance testing processes to improve efficiencies and strengthen the control framework.
• Participate in the annual RCSA exercise and ensure key processes relating to the team with residual risks have effective mitigating controls.
• Provide training and / or guidance to the relevant staff members to ensure they are well versed with the requirements of the Account Ownership and
• Verification (AOV) policy and other financial control activities.
• Independent testing of the governance and controls environment across the group, ensuring gaps are remediated timely.
• Support with ensuring that all audit issues highlighted by external and internal auditors and regulators are properly resolved, in addition to all the self-identified issues.
• Involvement in all finance-related systems implementation and assist in preparing relevant business requirement documents, UAT and trainings.
  

Qualifications & Experience

Minimum Qualification

• Accounting qualification (Preferably ACA, CPA, ACCA)
• Banking or Finance Degree.
  

Minimum Experience

• 5-7 years of experience garnered across accounting and internal controls. Good understanding of accounting standards (IFRS/IAS). Previous working experience with Big 4 or in the banking sector is preferred. Good working experience in Excel with strong analytical skills.