Business Planning Manager

About the job Business Planning Manager

Job Title: Business Planning Manager

Term: 12 months

Location: Riyadh, KSA

Division: Banking & Technology

Relevant experience: 10-15 years

Mandatory requirements: Proficient with leading strategic and transformation initiatives, program management, supporting financial planning and analysis, performance management against targets.

PURPOSE OF JOB
The Business Planning Manager will support the Head of Business Management in driving strategic, financial, and operational effectiveness across the retail and consumer banking portfolio. The role is central to ensuring the business
management unit operates with strong governance, strategic clarity, disciplined performance tracking, and seamless cross-functional coordination with functions such as Finance, IT, HR, Marketing, Risk and Operations. The role requires strong analytical abilities, excellent communication skills, and hands on program management experience to successfully execute strategic initiatives, prepare executive-level materials, and ensure business targets are met.

TASKS
Core Responsibilities and Accountabilities

1. Strategy & Business Planning

• Support development, refresh, and tracking of Consumer business strategy, including portfolio growth plans and yearly operating plans.
• Conduct market, competitive, and internal performance analysis to guide strategic decisions.
• Develop business cases for new initiatives, products, and customer value propositions.

2. Transformation & Program Management

• Lead and manage cross-functional transformation initiatives and strategic projects end-to-end functional transformation initiatives and strategic projects end-to-end.
• Develop and maintain project plans, ensure milestones are achieved, manage risks and dependencies, and ensure alignment with business objectives-like responsibilities outlined in card program manager roles.

• Facilitate project governance, prepare steering committee content, track progress, and ensure timely decision-making.

3. Performance Management & Financial Planning

• Support annual budgeting, quarterly forecasting, and ongoing financial performance tracking.
• Perform P&L analysis, identify revenue opportunities and cost-saving measures, and track key metrics such as spend, activation, attrition, profitability, and card portfolio KPIs.
• Lead in reporting and reconciliation tasks: work with Finance and Analytics teams to ensure accurate reporting and insights.

4. Stakeholder Management & Cross-Functional Coordination-Functional Coordination

• Serve as the key liaison between key stakeholders such as Finance, HR, IT, Digital, Risk, Operations, Compliance, and Marketing.
• Drive alignment across the business, ensuring stakeholders have clarity on priorities, deliverables, and timelines.
• Ensure timely cascading of decisions, follow-ups, and issue resolutions.

5. Executive Presentations & Governance

• Prepare high-quality executive presentations for monthly steering committees, senior leadership meetings, and regulatory reviews.
• Consolidate and simplify complex data into clear, decision-ready material
• Develop dashboards, management reports, and KPI scorecards.

6. Operational Support

• Act as a thought partner to the business partner, supporting prioritization, planning, and frontline decisionmaking.
• Manage communication flows, track departmental actions, and coordinate leadership routines.

Knowledge and Experience
Education & Experience

• Bachelors degree in business, Finance, Economics, Engineering, or related field; MBA preferred.
• 10-15 years of experience in Cards, Payments, Retail Banking, Strategy, PMO, or Financial Planning roles.
• Experience in strategy development, business planning, and/or program management within financial services.

Technical & Functional Knowledge

• Strong understanding of credit card business drivers, P&L components, customer lifecycle metrics, and regulatory environment.
• Familiarity with digital banking, cards platforms, and operational processes.
• Financial modeling and analytical skills (budgeting, forecasting, business case development).

Skills & Competencies

• Excellent project management, structuring, and prioritization capabilities.
• Strong communication and executive presentation skills.
• Ability to work with senior stakeholders and influence cross-functionally.
• High proficiency in PowerPoint, Excel, and data visualization tools.
• Detail-oriented with strong problem-solving skills.