Requirements
Significant experience in loan portfolio management, credit risk or active asset management within wholesale banking or private credit. Demonstrated experience managing existing loan portfolios, including waivers, amendments, covenants, annual reviews and credit monitoring. Proven track record of executing portfolio actions and managing deteriorating or problem credits. Strong understanding of loan structures, credit risk, capital usage and portfolio trade-offs. Sound understanding of corporate financials, legal concepts and loan mechanics, with first-hand experience of documenting loan transactions. Excellent analytical skills with the ability to present clear, well-reasoned recommendations to senior stakeholders. Ability to work under pressure, manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality output to tight deadlines. Bachelor's degree in finance, business or a related discipline. 12+ years' relevant experience in the banking sector, including at least 5 years in corporate loan markets with portfolio management responsibilities. Fluent in English with strong written and verbal communication skills. Strong awareness of UAE, regional and international markets. P&L responsibility.
Description
Job description / Role
Job Type
Full Time
Job Location
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Nationality
Any Nationality
Salary
Not Specified
Gender
Not Specified
Arabic Fluency
Not Specified
Job Function
Finance, Business Analysis & Consulting
Company Industry
Banking & Financial Services
Job description
The director, loan portfolio management is responsible for the end-to-end management of a loan portfolio, combining active management of the underlying loan book (including all post-close activities such as waivers, amendments, covenant and credit health monitoring) and portfolio optimization with full ownership of ongoing loan portfolio management activities across the existing book.
The role is hands-on and execution-focused, with accountability for managing the asset quality, improving risk-adjusted returns, optimizing balance sheet usage, and ensuring robust monitoring, control and performance of the loan portfolio across the full loan life cycle.
The role requires independent judgment, hands-on execution, and escalation of complex or sensitive matters where appropriate.
Key responsibilities
Loan portfolio management - existing book
Lead and coordinate waiver and amendment processes in conjunction with coverage, credit, legal and agents/clients as applicable.
Oversee covenant monitoring, including covenant tracking and timely escalation of issues.
Act as a lead contributor from loan portfolio management in annual reviews and annual credit reviews, including preparation, analysis and challenge.
Ensure effective ongoing monitoring of the loan book, including early warning indicators, watchlists and risk grading.
Be responsible for the timely and accurate preparation of portfolio and credit reports for senior management and governance forums.
For loans against credit risk insurance, manage monitoring and coordination with the risk insurance provider for waivers, amendments and adverse risk events.
Attend client meetings, calls, site visits as appropriate.
Portfolio ownership and optimization
Personally manage a defined loan portfolio, maintaining name-level understanding of material exposures, returns, concentrations and risk profile.
Review and recommend portfolio actions including reductions, exits, restructurings, amendments and secondary loan transactions.
Identify and manage deteriorating or low-return exposures, taking timely and decisive mitigating action.
Evaluate the ongoing performance of existing loans and ensure alignment with portfolio and balance sheet objectives.
Manage concentrated exposures, anticipate and mitigate credit deterioration, and maximize risk-adjusted returns within economic and regulatory constraints.
Monitor deal/loan portfolio returns and flag low returning transactions, groups, sectors.
Establish and maintain strong working relationships with key internal stakeholders, including coverage, origination, credit risk, credit admin, loan agency, legal and compliance.
Support the head of loan portfolio management on portfolio-wide initiatives, KPI delivery, budgeting, reporting and business planning.
Monitor industry and sector developments and communicate implications for portfolio exposures.
Portfolio transformation, systems & strategic initiatives
Actively contribute to the transformation of the loan portfolio management function, including enhancement of portfolio processes, analytics, systems and controls.
Generate practical ideas and proposals to improve portfolio oversight, risk management, reporting and decision-making, drawing on hands-on portfolio experience.
Support the design, testing and implementation of enhancements to the loan portfolio management system and related tools, ensuring solutions are fit for purpose and embedded in day-to-day portfolio management.
Participate in project workstreams, initiatives and change programs sponsored by the head of loan portfolio management and senior management.
Act as a key delivery partner, helping translate strategic objectives into executable changes across the portfolio management framework.
Act as a role model for best in class loan portfolio management practices, helping uplift capability, discipline and execution standards across the wider LPM team.
Support the development of the broader team through knowledge sharing, coaching and leadership by example, ensuring consistent application of portfolio management frameworks and risk discipline.
Act as a change agent, helping embed new processes, tools and ways of working into day-to-day portfolio management activities across the team.
Frameworks, boundaries, & decision-making authority
Functions within the framework and boundaries of group policies as well as overall organizational and governance frameworks.
Authorized to take decisions as per the approved authorization matrix.
Requirements and qualifications
Significant experience in loan portfolio management, credit risk or active asset management within wholesale banking or private credit.
Demonstrated experience managing existing loan portfolios, including waivers, amendments, covenants, annual reviews and credit monitoring.
Proven track record of executing portfolio actions and managing deteriorating or problem credits.
Strong understanding of loan structures, credit risk, capital usage and portfolio trade-offs.
Sound understanding of corporate financials, legal concepts and loan mechanics, with first-hand experience of documenting loan transactions.
Excellent analytical skills with the ability to present clear, well-reasoned recommendations to senior stakeholders.
Ability to work under pressure, manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality output to tight deadlines.
Bachelor's degree in finance, business or a related discipline.
12+ years' relevant experience in the banking sector, including at least 5 years in corporate loan markets with portfolio management responsibilities.
Fluent in English with strong written and verbal communication skills.
Strong awareness of UAE, regional and international markets.
P&L responsibility.
Preferred / beneficial
MBA and/or professional qualification (e.g. CFA) advantageous.
Arabic language skills advantageous.
About us
First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) is the largest bank in the UAE and one of the world's largest and safest financial institutions. We offer a comprehensive range of personal and private banking services, including credit cards, Islamic banking, investments, loans, and mortgages. Our commitment to excellence and innovation drives us to provide top-tier financial solutions to our clients.
Life at FAB
Working at FAB means being part of a team of talented and passionate individuals with a shared vision to support the ambitions of our stakeholders to "Grow Stronger." We embrace the needs of our customers across the globe with a sense of responsibility and confidence driven by extensive expertise that can only be delivered by an ambitious world-class organization.
Career development
FAB offers unique career choices, a chance to innovate, craft solutions for the future, and express yourself in a performance-based culture that will unleash the best in you. Whether you are an experienced professional or just starting your career, FAB provides a range of learning and development initiatives to support all employees through training and skill development.
Our values
At FAB, we place our customers at the core of our activities, live our values each day in every way, celebrate achievements, and empower each other to deliver leading solutions. We have structured plans for the recruitment and career progression of Emirati talent to enable them to make a mark in the financial and banking sector both regionally and globally that rewards your hard work and dedication.
Join our team and be part of a journey to shape the future of banking.
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