Associate Analyst, ADIB Ventures

Role: Associate Analyst ADIB Ventures

Location: Abu Dhabi

This position is for UAE Nationals only.

Role Purpose:

ADIB Ventures a new strategic initiative launched in 2024 as part of ADIB Vision 2035 is designed to accelerate innovation and collaboration within the global financial technology (fintech) sector. The program aims to strengthen ADIBs position as a leader in digital transformation and create a robust ecosystem by connecting with fintech players and integrating emerging technologies such as Generative AI & Digital Assets & Currencies to enhance the banking experience for over 1.5 million customers in UAE and six strategic markets: Egypt KSA UK Sudan and Iraq.

ADIB Ventures seeks to introduce new offerings that cater to the rapidly evolving needs of tech-savvy customers by launching pilot programs and proof-of-value (POV) projects to test and implement cutting-edge technologies that can transform the future of Islamic banking. The initiative further strengthens our position as the worlds most innovative Islamic bank empowering us to drive growth across the region and beyond.

Were on a journey to build the bank of the future to become the go-to-bank for entrepreneurs building world class products & services using cutting edge platforms & experiences. We are seeking an entrepreneurial and strategic professional to drive our partnership and emerging technology implementation initiatives and investment program initiatives.

The Analyst ADIB Ventures will assist in the engagement model externally with early-stage startups and scale ups and also within ADIB working closely with all stakeholders across the Bank: Digital Technology Business Support & Control functions. This role will assist in the internal lifecycle of prioritizing and executing strategic partnership and investment opportunities aligned with our innovation roadmap. This person will help drive the delivery and implementation of new partners that can create new capabilities for ADIB and its customers facilitating internal communication and coordination and managing the overall portfolio workflow.

This is a strategic role for defining and optimizing the portfolio lifecycle engagement model efficiency with internal ADIB stakeholders and accelerating our ability to identify test and implement cutting-edge FinTech and emerging tech solutions while also exploring investments in innovative companies. The ideal candidate will become an agile practitioner with the ability to bridge business technology and external partner ecosystems.

Key Accountabilities of the role:

DISCOVER: Partnership Pipeline Management (10%)

• Assist the team to incubate startups to conduct proof of concepts (or Pilots) with clearly defined MVPs for business objective validations.
• Closely work with internal teams (Business Technology Digital) for taking the qualified ideas and prototypes to market
• Research and prepare relevant information and resources (e.g. market reports competitor analysis) to support the Partnerships and Investment pipeline with potential opportunities.
• Stay up to date on industry trends and developments within the fintech and disruptive or emerging technology landscape.

DEFINE: Collaboration and Facilitation (60%)

• Assist with the implementation and optimization of a structured operating model with business teams to funnel opportunities problem statements and needs by proposing potential partners or investment opportunities.
• Help the team to develop an objective scoring system to prioritize potential partners based on strategic alignment solution relevance market fit and risk assessment prioritizing high impact opportunities.
• Assist internal teams (Risk FCC VMCP etc.) to define governance process and risk management framework around fintech/ startup engagements.
• Assist with the development and implementation of program processes and workflows for efficient and effective partnership exploration to implementation.
• Facilitate internal discussions and information sharing to ensure a coordinated approach to evaluating and potentially onboarding fintech partners or investment considerations.
• Help drive internal alignment and secure cross-functional buy-in from business technology operations legal compliance Sharia and other key stakeholders.
• Manage knowledge sharing training and coordinate internally to help with change management activities related to new partner solutions.
• Build trusted relationships with internal teams and external partners to ensure successful delivery.

DELIVER: Product & Portfolio Management (30%)

• Assist in the development and maintenance of the strategic roadmap and backlog for partnership prospects in the Fintech portfolio accountable for program implementation budget and resource allocation.
• Track and document partnership progress throughout the evaluation and status of onboarding process including defining success metrics measuring results and reporting on status risks and issues to executive leadership.
• Coordinate communication and schedule meetings between our team and relevant internal stakeholders (e.g. Product Teams Risk Management Legal) based on potential partner alignment.
• Manage communication with clear direction on progress with external partners including scheduling meetings sending follow-up emails and maintaining a professional and timely response.
• Prepare pre-meeting materials and agendas including investment memorandums to ensure productive discussions with internal stakeholders and other investment committee members.

Skills required for this role:

Communication & People Skills

• Leadership qualities as a persons person managing their passion continuously motivating and empowering colleagues to come forward and develop out of the box thinking.
• Excellent at building and maintaining relationships with external partners/vendors and internal stakeholders working cross-functionally within an agile environment.
• Excellent stakeholder management negotiation and interpersonal skills to effectively influence people of all levels.

Attitude & Technical Skills

• Very strong problem-solving skills (analytical skills creativity and logical thinking) to tackle complex issues; will at times go beyond application of existing know-how.
• Self-driven high energy enthusiasm commitment courage and entrepreneurial excitement with a desire for ownership
• Strong work ethic and a proactive approach with the ability to think critically and strategically while challenging mindset pushing boundaries beyond status quo and comfort zone.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented with the ability to prioritize tasks manage multiple deadlines and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Industry & Market Knowledge
• Passionate about innovation and the potential of new solutions including startup discovery and early-stage investments.
• An understanding of the fintech landscape latest emerging technologies financial regulatory policies and business trends in the FinTech space (highly desirable).

Previous experience:

• Basic experience in customer-facing role with external and internal stakeholders (digital business and / or technology).
• An understanding of agile delivery product management or partnership program management or a related field.
• Interest in (or similar example) managing technology innovation initiatives product integrations or ecosystem partnerships.
• Passion for VC / fund management or participating in Fintech engagement for accelerators/enterprises
• Proven ability to bridge multiple personalities cultures and geographies and with external partners/vendors with a strong business acumen with ability to understand technical concepts and communicate clearly to all levels.