Assistant Manager Structuring & Deal Documentation

This role focuses on providing expert guidance on Shari’ah-compliant structures for various financial transactions, including bespoke bilateral deals, syndications, and Sukuk issuances. The incumbent will ensure all transactions adhere to relevant Shari’ah standards and regulatory requirements, working closely with internal teams, external legal counsel, and counterparts at other Islamic banks. The position also involves preparing and presenting documentation for approval to supervisory committees and maintaining accurate records of all Islamic banking deals within the organization. Additionally, the role includes delivering training programs to staff on Islamic banking products and compliance standards.

Key Responsibilities

- Advise on the most appropriate Shari’ah-compliant structure for transactions, taking into account the overall deal dynamics and adhering to Higher Shari’ah Authority UAE, Central Bank regulations, AAOIFI Shari’ah standards, ISSC guidelines, and supervisor instructions.
- Collaborate with internal and external legal counsel during the drafting of facility documents to ensure Shari’ah compliance is accurately reflected in relevant contractual clauses.
- Liaise with counterparts in other Islamic banks during syndications and club deals to resolve disagreements and finalize documentation.
- Manage Shari’ah compliance activities for bespoke bilateral transactions, syndications, and Debt Capital Market (DCM) Sukuk issuances across the bank.
- Assist the Line Manager in preparing presentations and documentation for the Islamic Shari’ah Supervisory Committee (ISSC) to secure necessary approvals on recommended solutions.
- Present concepts and documentation to Executive Members or the ISSC, obtain required approvals, and address any queries raised by the committee.
- Maintain an up-to-date deal tracker for all Islamic banking transactions related to Corporate and Investment Banking Group (CIBG) customers using the agreed template.
- Demonstrate strong knowledge of Shari’ah principles applicable to Islamic banking products and services.
- Ensure compliance with local and regional Islamic banking regulations in daily operations.

Training Responsibilities

- Conduct global induction training for newly onboarded staff, 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 implementation and compliance adherence.

Required Qualifications

- In-depth understanding of Shari’ah principles and their application within Islamic finance transactions.
- Strong familiarity with UAE Central Bank regulations, AAOIFI standards, and ISSC guidelines.
- Proven experience working with legal teams to draft and review Shari’ah-compliant financial documents.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with internal stakeholders and external counterparts in syndications and club deals.
- Excellent communication skills, with experience presenting to senior committees and executive members.
- Proficient in maintaining detailed records and deal trackers for complex financial transactions.

Preferred Qualifications and Benefits

- Prior experience in Islamic banking product training and development.
- Knowledge of regional regulatory frameworks governing Islamic finance.
- Exposure to Debt Capital Market (DCM) Sukuk structuring and issuance processes.
- Opportunity to work in a dynamic environment with exposure to a broad range of Islamic finance products and regulatory interactions.

This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the growth and compliance of Islamic banking transactions while playing a key role in staff development and regulatory adherence.