Job Description
Job Purpose
The Chief of Staff & Head of Governance is a pivotal leadership role that shapes, orchestrates, and safeguards the entire Retail Banking Group's (RBG) strategic and governance agenda. The position exists to drive execution of RBG's most important priorities while ensuring a world-class governance environment that meets regulatory expectations and strengthens organisational discipline.
This role serves as the strategic partner to the Head of RBG, enabling enterprise-wide alignment, informed decision-making, and seamless collaboration across all segments, functions, and markets. It is a central, high-impact role that directly influences performance, risk culture, strategic delivery, and the long-term success of the Retail Bank.
Key Results Area
Strategy Execution & Delivery
- Translate the Group and RBG strategy into clear programmes, milestones, and measurable outcomes.
- Drive seamless execution across retail segments, product lines, digital squads, ecosystem partners, and new geographic markets.
- Ensure alignment between business, technology, finance, risk, operations, and Group teams on all major initiatives.
- and Group frameworks.
- Oversee RCSA, NPPA, product governance, policy management, and regulatory submissions.
- Proactively surface emerging risks and embed a culture of accountability, escalation, and disciplined decision-making.
Leadership Office
- Act as the strategic right hand to the Head of RBG, enabling focus, clarity, and effective leadership.
- Manage senior leadership forums, board submissions, ExCo packs, and Group-level communication.
- Own the business rhythm scorecards, townhalls, performance reviews, and executive reporting.
Stakeholder Management
- Serve as primary liaison with Group CEO Office, Risk, Compliance, Finance, HR, Technology and other corporate functions.
- Represent RBG in enterprise-wide committees, governance reviews, and regulatory interactions.
- Ensure consistent communication, transparency, and alignment across all internal and external stakeholders.
Performance & Portfolio Oversight
- Oversee RBG performance dashboards, KPIs, P, and delivery of critical metrics.
- Provide constructive challenge and strategic insight to senior leaders on operational, financial, and risk performance.
- Track health of key programs and ensure timely escalation and issue resolution.
Governance, Risk & Controls
Lead and continuously strengthen the RBG governance ecosystem in line with CBUAE rulebooks
- Operates in a complex, high-growth retail and digital banking environment spanning UAE, Egypt, Pakistan, and other markets.
- Ensures RBG delivery remains in full compliance with Group policies, regulatory expectations, governance mandates, and risk standards.
- Holds enterprise-wide visibility across all RBG initiatives, reviews, and strategic decisions.
- Influences across diverse teams product, segments, digital squads, technology, finance, operations without direct reporting lines.
Decision Making Authority & Responsibility
- Works in close partnership with Group functions (Risk, Compliance, HR, Finance, Technology, Operations, Audit) while maintaining objective and independent judgement.
- Acts as the custodian of business discipline, structured execution, and governance quality for RBG.
- Authority to shape the governance agenda for RBG and enforce compliance with frameworks and regulatory standards.
- Empowered to prioritise key initiatives, allocate focus, and drive sequencing of major transformation programs on behalf of the Head of RBG.
- Responsible for preparation and quality assurance of all decisions presented at ExCo, Board Committees, governance councils, and regulatory engagements.
- Sign-off authority on governance artefacts, submissions, leadership communication, policy documents, and RBG-wide reporting.
- Delegated decision-making authority to represent the Head of RBG in senior forums and cross-functional engagements.
- Recommends decisions related to operating model design, resource allocation, strategic trade-offs, and program prioritization.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Knowledge:
- Deep understanding of retail banking, digital banking, governance ecosystems, risk frameworks, and regulatory standards.
- Strong grasp of operating models, digital transformation, program delivery, and organisational effectiveness.
- Working knowledge of data governance, AI governance, technology enablement, and emerging digital market models.
Skills:
- Exceptional leadership presence and ability to influence at senior levels.
- Advanced problem-solving, analytical, and structured thinking capabilities.
- Outstanding communication, executive writing, and storytelling skills.
- High emotional intelligence, judgement, and political acumen.
- Ability to navigate ambiguity, drive alignment without authority, and manage multiple priorities in a high-pressure environment.
- Strong capability in stakeholder engagement, governance management, and cross-functional orchestration.
Experience
- 1218 years in banking or financial services with strong exposure to governance, strategy, transformation, or COO/Chief of Staff responsibilities.
- Proven track record of leading cross-functional programs or enterprise governance initiatives.
- Experience interacting with CEOs, Board members, regulators, and senior executives.
- Demonstrated ability to elevate organizational discipline and drive strategic outcomes at scale.
