Head of MEA Business Execution
Role Summary
The Head of Middle East and Africa (MEA) Business Execution is a senior management-level position responsible for driving business management, governance and controls, and the execution of the growth strategy of Citi's MEA Cluster. Reporting to the MEA Cluster & Banking Head, this role partners closely with the International Chief Operating Officer (COO) team and the MEA Senior Leadership Team to translate the cluster strategy into disciplined execution across a diverse and complex set of markets. The role carries significant accountability for the overall business management, risk and control oversight, regulatory coordination, and organizational effectiveness across the Cluster, ensuring Citi operates with best-in-class governance while capturing growth opportunities across the region. As a C16 Managing Director, the incumbent is expected to operate as a trusted strategic advisor and a visible leader, representing the Cluster across internal committees, regulatory engagements, and cross-functional forums. This individual will be instrumental in embedding a strong culture of accountability, control, and execution discipline throughout the MEA franchise.
Scope & Impact
This role carries Cluster-wide scope across the Middle East and Africa (26 presence countries and 33 Hub-Managed Countries) and partners with all business lines within Citi's International franchise. The role has direct influence over the MEA Cluster business management, governance, and control outcomes for a significant and strategically important cluster within Citi's Global network, with accountability for safeguarding Citi's reputation, regulatory standing, and operational resilience. The incumbent works in close coordination with global and cluster functional partners (Finance, Risk, Compliance, HR, Legal, Internal Audit) and senior business leaders, exercising cross-functional influence beyond direct reporting lines. Decisions and recommendations made in this role have material implications for the Cluster's financial performance, regulatory relationships, and long-term strategic positioning. The incumbent plays a key role in defining optimised target operating models for the MEA cluster countries and drives the adoption of Citi approved Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the design and execution of the MEA Cluster's business management agenda, translating strategic priorities into actionable operating plans and tracking delivery against key milestones
- Drive financial planning, resource allocation, and capacity management processes across the Cluster in partnership with Finance, ensuring alignment with overall Banking & International objectives
- Oversee the Cluster's governance architecture, including chairing or supporting key governance forums, ensuring consistent, well-documented decision-making and escalation protocols
- Coordinate and manage regulatory interactions and submissions across MEA jurisdictions, serving as a senior point of contact to support CCOBHs in local regulatory franchise-wide matters
- Partner with Risk, Compliance, Legal, and Internal Audit to maintain a robust risk and control environment, proactively identifying emerging risks and driving timely remediation of control gaps
- Sponsor high-priority strategic initiatives and lead special initiatives on behalf of the MEA Cluster & Banking Head, coordinating cross-business and cross-functional workstreams to ensure timely delivery
- Prepare Board, CEO, and senior management deliverables, including Cluster Performance reviews, business reviews, and ad hoc executive materials
- Drive process improvement and operational efficiency initiatives across the Cluster, identifying opportunities to streamline processes
- Manage competitive intelligence and market analysis processes, providing insights on market sizing, competitor positioning, and franchise performance to inform strategic decision-making
- Lead the coordination of internal and external audits, ensuring timely and comprehensive responses to findings and recommendations
- Drive the Cluster's workforce management agenda to build an agile, high-performing structure aligned to business priorities and regulatory expectations
- Serve as a trusted advisor to the MEA Cluster & Banking Head, providing perspective on organizational priorities, risks, and opportunities, and representing the Cluster on relevant cluster and global committees
Leadership & People Management
- Operate as a senior member of the MEA Senior Leadership Team, directly influencing strategic and operational decision-making at executive levels
- Build, lead, and develop a high-performing business execution team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement
- Establish and maintain deep, trusted relationships with senior stakeholders across Risk, Compliance, Finance, HR, Legal, and business lines
- Act as a role model for Citi's Leadership Principles, promoting a strong culture of conduct, control consciousness, and ethical decision-making across the Cluster
- Mentor and develop talent within the team and the broader Cluster, supporting succession planning and leadership pipeline development
- Effectively influence and align diverse stakeholder groups without direct authority, navigating a highly matrixed, multi-geography organization
- Demonstrate sound judgment and discretion when handling sensitive, confidential, or reputationally significant matters
Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor's degree required; MBA or equivalent advanced degree strongly preferred
- Extensive experience (typically 15+ years) in the financial services industry, with a strong track record in business management, strategy, or risk and control functions
- Demonstrated experience operating in or supporting emerging markets, with specific familiarity with the Middle East and Africa region strongly preferred
- Proven experience managing regulatory relationships and coordinating regulatory submissions across multiple jurisdictions
- Strong track record of execution in enhancing governance, risk, and control frameworks within a large, complex financial institution
- Significant experience in strategic planning, financial management, and resource/capacity planning
- Prior experience operating at or near Managing Director level, with direct exposure to senior management, Board, and regulatory stakeholders
- Experience managing or contributing to large-scale, cross-functional strategic initiatives
Skills & Competencies
- Strong analytical and financial acumen, with the ability to synthesize complex information into clear, actionable recommendations
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare Board- and CEO-ready materials
- Strong program and project management discipline, with the ability to manage multiple concurrent priorities under tight timelines
- Deep understanding of governance, risk, and control frameworks within a regulated Banking environment
- Sound judgment, discretion, and the ability to manage highly sensitive and confidential matters
- Strong relationship-building and influencing skills across a matrixed, multi-geography organization
- Resilience, adaptability, and comfort operating in ambiguous, fast-paced environments
- Cultural fluency and sensitivity to the diverse markets comprising the MEA Cluster
Reporting Structure
- Reports to: MEA Cluster & Banking Head
- Direct Reports: MEA Chief of Staff, MEA Cluster Business Execution Team
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Job Family Group:
Business Strategy, Management & Administration
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Job Family:
Business Management
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Time Type:
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Most Relevant Skills
Please see the requirements listed above.
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Other Relevant Skills
For complementary skills, please see above and/or contact the recruiter.
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