We are seeking a highly experienced and motivated Head of Project Office for a corporate banking & HNWI startup in the UAE (Dubai/Abu Dhabi). This role offers a unique opportunity to lead the development of a new financial institution, with a clear path to transitioning into an Operations Management role post-launch. The ideal candidate will bring extensive expertise in banking and payments, project management, and regulatory compliance, along with fluency in English and Russian.Responsibilities:

• Oversee all aspects of the startup project for a new financial institution in the UAE.
• Provide banking and payments expertise, leading the business and functional analysis team with the goal of transitioning into an Operations Management role upon launch and scale.
• Serve as the first full-time employee of the company, coordinating communication with regulators, and preparing/reviewing regulatory filings.
• Facilitate and draft regulatory policies and procedures.
• Prepare presentations for management and partners.
• Coordinate with the external technical team, defining functional specifications, roles, and procedures for the technology team and developers.

Experience:

• University degree, preferably in finance, economics, legal, or mathematics.
• Professional certifications such as CPA, CFA, PMP, or similar are advantageous.
• Minimum of 10 years of business experience in financial services, with a preference for banking operations in payments and technology.
• At least 5 years of experience in staff and project management positions.
• Proven experience as a Senior Product Manager in building payment systems.
• Project management experience leading a team of at least 5 members.
• In-depth understanding of banking products and process flows.
• Experience in drafting, reviewing, and approving policies and procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to manage relationships with regulators and government authorities, supporting a team of lawyers.
• Hands-on experience with financial modeling and process mapping.
• Proficiency in financial budgeting, forecasting, reporting, planning, and milestone tracking.
• Experience managing outsourced functions (operations, client services, etc.).
• Strong financial and data analysis skills.
• Expertise in business data gathering and research.
• Fluency in English and Russian.

Skills:

• Self-starter with a high level of energy, motivation, and a "can do" attitude.
• Experience in developing new products or lines of business, with a focus on operations and technology leadership.

Terms:

• Full-time position.
• Location: UAE (Dubai or Abu Dhabi).

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