Senior Product Manager, Lending & Strategic Alliances

Operating in the UAE for over 50 years, CBD manages the financial requirements of some of the largest corporates and businesses operating in the country, driving the UAE economy.

Over the years, CBD has transformed into a progressive and modern banking institution winning multiple awards for its digital initiatives, credit cards, bank accounts, mobile app features and services.

CBD has been recognized as the number one bank in the UAE on the Forbes list of The World’s Best Banks 2022.

As we continue to build upon our successes, we are looking for ambitious individuals who are passionate about the banking and finance industry and the markets in which CBD operates.

Just as important to us is your ability to demonstrate a talent for dealing with people - your colleagues and our customers and delivering service that really goes the extra mile.

The role holder will have dual responsibility. 70% Lending and 30% Trade.

Responsible for driving the P&L for the lending products business, designing lending products, managing costs, and building digital solutions.

Aswell as ongoing support to the Trade and SCF function, in a hybrid capacity.

Develop product opportunities across lending and trade & working capital by preparing robust business cases, highlighting financial benefits, costs, risks, regulatory considerations, product roadmaps, and implementation plans aligned to client needs and the Bank’s strategy.

Ensure business stability, growth, strategic alignment, and enhanced profitability across the lending portfolio, while driving targeted revenue and balance sheet optimisation from trade finance and working capital solutions (funded and unfunded).

Act as a subject matter expert and primary point of contact for internal stakeholders on lending products, and as a recognised product authority for trade finance and working capital structures, including guarantees, letters of credit, import/export financing, and supply chain solutions.

Lead the management and strategic oversight of **external partnerships** supporting lending propositions, ensuring alignment with the Bank’s overall strategy and enhancement of wholesale client value propositions.

Monitor and evaluate the performance of partnership agreements and outsourced services, identifying opportunities to improve commercial outcomes, operational efficiency, digitisation, and client experience across lending and trade processes.

Coordinate with internal stakeholders including Legal, Compliance, Risk, Operations, Technology, Finance and Credit to streamline processes, resolve issues, and ensure that lending and trade products are delivered in a compliant, scalable and operationally efficient manner.

Manage, document and maintain changes to product policies, procedures, and operating models to improve the Bank’s operational efficiency and ensure compliance with local regulatory and trade rules (e.g. guarantees, documentary credits, sanctions, AML).

Develop detailed business and functional requirements for new or enhanced product capabilities across lending and trade, working closely with IT, Operations, Risk, Compliance and Audit to drive product launches, delivery schedules, testing, and implementation from concept through go‑live.

Analyse, plan and execute pilots and proof‑of‑concept initiatives for product innovation, including digital trade, working capital optimisation, and automation of lending and trade workflows.

Serve as a product SME for Coverage and Relationship Managers, supporting deal structuring, client solutioning, implementation of complex lending and trade structures, and acting as liaison with internal and external service providers to resolve complex client issues.

Ensure compliance with internal and external audit requirements, regulatory reporting obligations, and governance standards, maintaining consistency and high standards across lending and trade products.

Develop a strong understanding of the Bank’s technology and operational infrastructure to ensure systems can support lending and trade products, working with Technology and Operations to ensure functionality, scalability, and straight‑through processing where possible.

Communicate new product launches, enhancements, pricing updates, and market trends to Sales and Coverage teams; actively monitor product performance across volumes, utilisation, income and profitability, ensuring robust MIS and management reporting is in place

Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree or equivalent

Previous experience in lending & Trade products, P&L management, and driving portfolio growth.

At least 8 years of experience gained from P&L management, product development and portfolio build-up.

Previous experience in transaction banking trade finance and lending products including syndication.