Transformation Portfolio Lead

Role overview

This position is for a Transformation Portfolio Lead based in Dubai, supporting a wholesale banking group’s transformation agenda. The role focuses on portfolio management, business analysis, and oversight across a set of Tier 1 projects, along with supervision of selected Tier 2 initiatives.

The role sits within a banking environment and involves coordinating change across areas such as investment and transaction banking, institutional banking, corporate banking, treasury, asset management, and global markets. The successful candidate will work closely with senior leaders and external partners to keep strategic initiatives aligned, well governed, and progressing effectively.

Key responsibilities

• Define and help shape the change priorities for wholesale banking areas, including investment and transaction banking, institutional banking, corporate banking, treasury, asset management, and global markets, in coordination with group heads and their direct reports.
• Oversee a portfolio of multiple initiatives, including their links, dependencies, resource requirements, and any changes that could affect delivery priority.
• Monitor all Tier 1 projects and provide oversight for selected Tier 2 projects across the wholesale banking portfolio.
• Build strong working relationships with senior business stakeholders and relevant vendors, while ensuring clear and timely portfolio communication.
• Identify and plan resourcing requirements based on the overall portfolio roadmap.
• Lead steering committee discussions, including those involving executive committee members, to help ensure strategically important changes stay on course.
• Review project charters, change impact assessments, project plans, business requirement documents, and project review materials for completeness and accuracy.
• Advise business units and group heads on business cases and UAT approaches, and review their alignment with delivery needs.
• Convert business analysis outputs, requirement definitions, and business case work into workable implementation plans.
• Support senior stakeholders in resolving disagreements or priority conflicts related to portfolio initiatives.
• Design and encourage change adoption approaches such as training and communication plans.
• Make sure portfolio resources are aligned to support both operational and strategic capability needs.
• Coach and guide business units or departments to improve project and change management effectiveness and strengthen governance practices.
• Protect sensitive bank information and maintain strict confidentiality for current and future project activity.
• Follow the latest Central Bank of UAE guidelines.
• Support successful internal audits and ensure audit observations are closed within the required timelines through process realignment where needed.

Experience and qualifications

• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree is required; a postgraduate qualification in business management is considered an advantage.
• At least 8 years of banking experience is required.
• Preferably 10 or more years of relevant experience in projects or change management within financial institutions.
• Strong understanding of project management fundamentals; PRINCE2 or PMP certification is an added advantage.
• Practical experience delivering and managing complex cross-functional banking projects across support and control teams.
• Excellent skills in organization, planning, and time management.
• Comfortable managing multiple priorities and working under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical ability and attention to detail.
• Able to adapt priorities quickly when business needs change.
• Demonstrated ability to translate business analysis, requirements, and business cases into real implementation outcomes.
• Proven success in managing stakeholders at all levels and maintaining effective working relationships.

Additional information

This position is based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and is a full-time onsite role. No salary, vacancy count, start date, or application deadline was specified in the source information.