Assistant Manager Structuring & Deal Documentation

This role involves providing expert Shari’ah advisory services for Islamic finance transactions, ensuring compliance with relevant regulatory frameworks and Shari’ah standards. The incumbent will work closely with internal teams, external legal counsels, and counterparts in other Islamic banks to structure and document deals in line with Higher Shari’ah Authority UAE, CB regulations, AAOIFI standards, and ISSC guidelines. The position requires active participation in syndications, bilateral transactions, and Sukuk issuances, with a focus on delivering compliant and innovative financial solutions. Additionally, the role includes supporting training initiatives for staff across various Islamic banking products.

Key Responsibilities

- Advise on the most appropriate Shari’ah structures for transactions, taking into account deal dynamics and compliance with Higher Shari’ah Authority UAE, Central Bank regulations, AAOIFI Shari’ah standards, ISSC guidelines, and supervisory instructions.
- Collaborate with internal and external legal counsels during the drafting of facility documents to ensure accurate articulation of Shari’ah compliance concerns within relevant clauses.
- Liaise with counterparts in other Islamic banks during syndications and club deals to resolve disagreements and finalize documentation.
- Manage Shari’ah advisory activities for bespoke bilateral transactions, syndications, and Debt Capital Market (DCM) Sukuk issuances across the bank.
- Assist the Line Manager in preparing and delivering presentations to the ISSC to secure necessary approvals for recommended solutions and documentation.
- Present concepts and documentation to Executive Members or the ISSC, obtain required approvals, and respond to any queries raised by the ISSC.
- Maintain a comprehensive deal tracker for all Islamic banking transactions related to Corporate and Investment Banking Group (CIBG) customers, using the agreed template.
- Demonstrate thorough knowledge of Shari’ah parameters specific to Islamic banking products and services.
- Ensure strict adherence to local and regional Islamic banking regulations in daily operations and compliance activities.

Training Responsibilities

- Conduct global induction training for new staff members, including training on various Islamic banking products such as personal finance and credit cards.
- Maintain and update e-learning modules as required to ensure ongoing staff competency.
- Deliver wholesale banking-related training as part of the annual training plan.
- Provide training support for new product launches to ensure smooth adoption and compliance.

Required Qualifications

- Strong understanding of Islamic finance principles and Shari’ah compliance frameworks, including AAOIFI standards and UAE regulatory requirements.
- Proven experience in advising on Shari’ah structures for complex financial transactions, including syndications and Sukuk issuances.
- Ability to work collaboratively with legal teams and external stakeholders to draft compliant facility documentation.
- Excellent communication skills for presenting to senior committees and resolving technical queries.
- Proficient in maintaining detailed transaction records and compliance documentation.
- Familiarity with local and regional Islamic banking regulations and supervisory expectations.

Preferred Qualifications and Benefits

- Experience in training and developing staff within Islamic banking environments is advantageous.
- Exposure to a broad range of Islamic banking products and capital market instruments.
- Opportunity to work in a dynamic environment with cross-functional teams and regional counterparts.
- Engagement in strategic decision-making processes through interaction with senior management and regulatory bodies.

This position offers a critical role in ensuring Shari’ah compliance across the bank’s Islamic finance portfolio while contributing to knowledge sharing and capacity building within the organization.