Executive Director, Aviation

Join the UAE’s largest bank and one of the world’s largest and safest financial institutions. Our focus is to create value for our employees, customers, shareholders and communities to grow through differentiation, agility and innovation. We are looking for top talent and your success is our success. Accelerate your growth as you help us reach our goals and advance your career. Be ready to make your mark a top company, in an exciting & dynamic industry. 

Job Purpose:

To originate, grow, and manage FAB’s global aviation portfolio—including airlines, lessors, airports, OEMs, MROs, cargo operators, and aviation service providers across global markets (excluding the UAE). The role is responsible for deepening strategic relationships, structuring complex cross‑border aviation financing transactions, ensuring portfolio credit quality, and driving revenue growth. The Executive Director will also guide and support team members to maintain high service levels and ensure best‑in‑class aviation expertise.

Key Accountabilities:

Client and Market Analysis

• Conduct financial analysis on clients and their respective geographies/ industries/ markets to identify potential opportunities and risks.

Business Origination

• Originate new business opportunities with Global aviation clients across banking and structured finance products. 
• Leverage FAB’s global network to drive cross‑border aviation transactions and international market penetration. 
• Develop aviation-focused proposals such as Term Sheets, Information Memoranda, and Mandate Letters for non‑UAE clients. 
• Prepare Account Plans for international portfolios, aligning them with FAB’s global aviation strategy. 
• Support annual and periodic reviews for Global aviation credit facilities, including asset-specific assessment.
• Ensure high returns with satisfactory yields 
• Maintain the credit quality of the client's relationships within the Portfolio to an acceptable level set by the

• Bank's management.

  
  
• Pitch, review, negotiate and conclude deals.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key decision makers in other banks to originate business.

• Up to date with the latest market, competitors, regulatory and industry and amend accordingly the account plans as when applicable.

  
  

• Ability to handle sophisticated transactions and engage assigned team members.

  
  

• Recommend policy amendments as when required to match with the latest business trends.

  
  

Client Relationship Management

• Manage and expand relationships with Global aviation clients across key global markets. 
• Prepare Account Plans for international portfolios, aligning them with FAB’s global aviation strategy. 
• Support annual and periodic reviews for Global aviation credit facilities, including asset-specific assessment.
• To achieve assigned financial and non-financial objectives by meeting all borrowing & non borrowing needs of customers with target segments (E.g., borrowers, transactors, depositors).

• Prepare and Maintain Account Plans for all clients with support from relevant partners (e.g., products, international banking, Employee banking, Asset Management, etc.).

  
  

• Support on the conduct of annual/periodic credit facility reviews in the existing portfolio in a timely manner and support on the recommendation of appropriate credit facilities in line with the banks credit. policy to maximize earnings while containing risks to an acceptable level and identifying candidates for downgrades/ upgrades.

  
  
• Develop, Implement and maintain complete control aspects i.e., documentation, periodical client visits / call reports, stock inspections and formal credit checks / informal market feedback to monitor the assigned portfolio effectively. 
• Organize client meetings with relevant partners/ seniority to deepen FAB relationship within the portfolio.
• Identify & develop cross selling opportunities and increase cross-sell ratio and returns with clients.
• Support client on their day-to-day banking requirements with support from the team (as applicable).
• Ensure customer satisfaction remains high and meets the targeted NPS score.
• Keep abreast of market trends and manage a disciplined marketing process by identifying steps/strategies necessary to effectively initiate relationships with prospects.

• Onboard new clients as and when required.

  
  

Collaboration

• Work closely with Transport & Logistics and international banking teams to build FAB’s global aviation footprint and capture opportunities outside the UAE.
• Collaborate with other business divisions to drive cross-BU collaboration. Develop proposition strategy, competition analysis, focused group approach, service delivery model, customer experience, internal & external campaigns and alignment with other Products & proposition including Risk policies, Payment & Cash management, Trade products, collaboration with Retail banking including Private Banking, etc.

• Align with International banking to support client in FAB network locations.

  
  

• Support Unit/Divisional/Bank-wide initiatives (as required or assigned).

  
  

Operational

• Follow all relevant policies, processes, standard operating procedures, and instructions so that work is carried out in a controlled and consistent manner.
• Conduct periodic reviews of risks (credit, operational, compliance etc.) within the portfolio on a regular basis.
• Drive day-to-day administrative and transactional activities for the team such as client calls, documentation follow up, pipeline updates, and any other activities in the unit/team to ensure continuity of work and delivery of effective/high quality output.
• Ensure that internal processes for existing portfolio/ NTBs are in-line with the Bank's policies & procedures.
• Manage and follow up on KYC and compliance requirements to ensure consistency with the Bank's KYC and AML policies and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure all credit reviews are submitted on time and agreed conditions are met.
• Ensure all clients' files [documents] are maintained.
• Maintain a satisfactory audit on the portfolio.
• Adhere to process KPl's and, ORM, BCP & Internal Audit requirements

• Prepare timely and accurate statements and reports to meet the unit's requirements, policies, and standards.

  
  

Leadership

• Act as Role Model for the entire Transport & Logistics group and Aviation team 

  
  

• Lead, Mentor, Motivate, Develop and Coach team members to ensure career growth and short & long term successors 

  
  

• Establish high-performance culture and ensure high engagement levels.

  
  

• Encourage ownership through rightful assignments to team members.

  
  

• Achieve individual and team's financial performance targets.

  
  

• Learning & Development Attend appropriate on and off-the-job training programs and ensure development and skill upgradation of team members.

  
  

• Involvement in team members new hirings.

  
  

Qualifications & Experience:

Minimum Qualification

• Bachelor’s degree in finance or related discipline.

  
  

• Master’s degree in business administration is preferred.

  
  

Minimum Experience

• 12+ years of experience in banking or investment banking, including 5 years in Global aviation finance, aircraft leasing, airline corporate finance, or aviation asset management.

  
  

Knowledge, Skills, and Attributes:

• Deep Knowledge of Wholesale Banking or investment banking.

  
  

• Understanding of FAB's product offering and business strategy.

  
  

• Ability to collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders to drive business.

  
  

• Strong relationship management skills both internally and externally.

  
  

• Sound communication skills (written and verbal).

  
  

• Ability to analyse and research information.

  
  
• Deep Financial and credit analysis ability with an aptitude to identify opportunities and close business deals.

• Data analysis and financial modelling skills.

  
  

• Ability to work under pressure and adjust quickly to changing priorities.

  
  
• Proficient in MS Office (excel, word and Power-point).

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 globaly that rewards your hard work and dedication.
Join our team and be part of a journey to shape the future of banking.