Associate Director, Corporate Origination and Business Development

Job Purpose

The Associate Director – Corporate Banking plays a critical role in expanding Mashreq Bank’s footprint in Saudi Arabia by originating new-to-bank corporate deals, overseeing cross-border exposure to Saudi Arabia, and ensuring the smooth coordination of the Saudi Arabia portfolio across Mashreq. Focus on identifying and onboarding Saudi-based corporate groups with operations across Mashreq’s footprint countries, identifying and pursuing outbound business opportunities that align with the bank’s strategic objectives.

The role requires coordination among different business units, ensuring the bank’s services meet the requirements of Saudi clients, while also adhering to regulatory and risk management standards. The role/ team member has to develop a strong pipeline and ensure the Saudi Arabia framework remains aligned with evolving market conditions and regulatory changes.

Key Result Areas

• Client Origination: The Associate Director is responsible for driving the origination of new-to-bank corporate relationships in Saudi Arabia. This includes identifying key growth opportunities, structuring financing solutions, and onboarding clients. The individual has to increase Mashreq’s strategic market share in Saudi Arabia.
• Cross-Border Exposure Oversight: The director coordinates with the Enterprise Risk Management team to manage Mashreq’s cross-border exposure to Saudi Arabia, ensuring that all operations are in compliance with both regional regulations and internal policies. The director submits cross-border enhancement requests to senior management whenever required, ensuring the bank’s exposure proactively managed.
• Regional Portfolio Coordination: Acting as the central coordinator for the Saudi Arabia portfolio, the Associate Director facilitates collaboration across various bank departments—Corporate Banking, Risk, Compliance, Treasury, and more—to ensure the alignment of regional strategies with Mashreq’s corporate banking objectives. The director ensures that all teams work in tandem to deliver the best solutions to Saudi clients and maintain a unified approach across borders.
• Framework Development & Approval: The role involves maintaining and refining the dynamic Saudi Arabia framework, ensuring it is updated regularly to reflect market developments, regulatory changes, and business goals. The director works closely with business and risk to submit the revised framework for approval, ensuring alignment with Mashreq’s long-term strategy and risk appetite
• Business Development & Growth: The director is responsible for driving the growth of Mashreq’s asset book in Saudi Arabia, focusing on expanding the portfolio across various sectors and products. The role involves identifying and pursuing opportunities that contribute to revenue generation and growth
• Risk & Compliance Management: The director ensures that all transactions comply with Mashreq’s risk appetite and approved framework. They collaborate with the Credit Management & Control Unit (CMC) within Corporate Origination division to conduct due diligence and ensure the necessary approvals are obtained, providing a high level of assurance that all deals meet the bank’s standards for credit quality , policy and regulatory adherence
• Market Insight & Strategy Development: The director has to be knowledgeable of strategic insights including market trends, competitor activities, and regulatory changes in Saudi Arabia. This insight is used to inform long-term business strategies and ensure Mashreq remains competitive in the rapidly evolving market. 
• Stakeholder Reporting & Communication: Regularly reporting to senior leadership, the director communicates the performance of the Saudi Arabia portfolio, detailing cross-border exposure and providing updates on ongoing transactions. They keep stakeholders informed of significant developments or challenges, ensuring transparency and alignment across the bank.
• Cross-Functional Coordination: The role requires daily collaboration with internal teams across various functions, including Corporate Banking, Risk, Treasury, Legal, Operations, and Compliance, ensuring that client transactions are executed efficiently and in line with Mashreq’s standards. The director serves as a key liaison across departments, resolving any challenges that arise and ensuring a seamless client experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Client-Centric Approach: The director excels in building and maintaining strong relationships with different external and internal stakeholders. The client-first mentality shall contribute significantly to Mashreq’s expansion in the region.
• Adaptability: The director has to be able to adapt to a dynamic, fast-paced environment, always adjusting to new market conditions, evolving client requirements, and changing business priorities.
• Client Network: A well-developed network of client relationships across global locations with the ability to originate new to bank corporate clients
• Interpersonal Skills: Exceptional ability to build and maintain relationships with clients and internal partners.
• Proactive Approach: Ability to deliver results on time, foresee opportunities, and anticipate issues proactively, ensuring superior client delivery.
• Team Collaboration: Daily interaction with internal partners necessitates operating effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Analytical Thinking: Capacity to analyze market and client data, transforming insights into commercial opportunities.