Chief Business Officer

Our client is seeking a Chief Business Officer (CBO) to join its Executive Leadership Team.

Based in the UAE, the CBO will be responsible for driving the overall commercial strategy of a well-established banking institution, performance, and sustainable growth across all business segments and product lines. This is a high-impact role overseeing multiple revenue-generating divisions and distribution channels, with full accountability for strategic execution and P&L performance.

Responsibilities:

- Develop and execute the bank’s integrated business strategy across all segments and product lines.

- Drive profitable growth by identifying new market opportunities, partnerships, and innovative business models.

- Oversee performance and strategy across Corporate and SME banking, FI, Priority banking, Treasury, Branches, and Islamic Banking

- Delivers sustainable revenue and margin growth, maintains disciplined risk and credit governance, and enhances customer experience and retention

- Lead end-to-end product lifecycle management and drive product innovation through digital transformation and data-driven insights

- Oversee and optimise relationship management teams, branch network strategy and strategic partnerships and alternative distribution models

- Streamline processes to improve efficiency, reduce cost-to-income ratio, and enhance service delivery

- Build and develop high-performing leadership teams and foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and customer-centricity

Requirements:

- 20+ years of progressive leadership experience within banking or financial services.

Significant executive-level experience overseeing multiple business lines.

- Proven track record of leading multi-segment banking operations

- Ability to translate vision into executable strategies with measurable outcomes

- The ideal candidate is a commercially astute, forward-thinking banking leader who combines strategic vision with operational discipline

- Strong commercial acumen and deep understanding of financial markets and banking dynamics

- Strong P&L management experience with a focus on sustainable profitability