Head of Central Operations

Madison Pearl is partnering with a leading UAE Bank to appoint a Head of Central Operations to join its Operations function, based in Abu Dhabi.This is a strategic leadership opportunity for an experienced banking operations professional to lead the bank's Central Operations function while driving operational transformation, automation, and process excellence across the organisation. The successful candidate will be responsible for centralising operational activities, improving service delivery, implementing technology-driven efficiencies, and ensuring a robust operational control framework that supports the bank's long-term growth strategy.The ideal candidate will come from a Central Operations background within a bank and have a proven track record of leading transformation initiatives, digitising operational processes, and delivering measurable improvements in efficiency, governance, and customer service.Key Responsibilities:Provide strategic leadership across the bank's Central Operations function, driving operational excellence and supporting the organisation's wider transformation agenda.Lead initiatives that simplify, standardise, and optimise operational processes to improve efficiency, scalability, and customer outcomes.Champion automation and digitisation programmes, identifying opportunities to reduce manual intervention through technology and workflow enhancements.Partner with Technology, Risk, Compliance, and business stakeholders to deliver process improvements and successfully implement new operating models.Develop performance metrics and operational governance frameworks that enhance productivity, service quality, and operational resilience.Build a culture of continuous improvement by introducing best practices, Lean methodologies, and operational excellence initiatives.Ensure strong operational controls are embedded across the function while maintaining compliance with internal governance and regulatory expectations.Provide leadership to a diverse operations team, developing talent and fostering a collaborative, high-performance environment.Support strategic business initiatives, acquisitions, and change programmes by ensuring operational readiness and seamless execution.Key Requirements:Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Banking, Operations Management, or a related discipline.12+ years' experience within banking operations, with significant exposure to Central Operations, Shared Services, Operations Excellence, or Business Transformation.Demonstrated success leading large-scale automation, digitisation, or operational transformation initiatives within a banking environment.Strong understanding of operating model design, process optimisation, workflow automation, and service delivery management.Experience delivering measurable improvements in operational efficiency, customer experience, and cost optimisation.Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and lead cross-functional transformation and change initiatives.Strong leadership, project management, analytical, and communication skills.Experience with continuous improvement methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, or Business Process Re-engineering (BPR) would be advantageous.Fluency in English is essential. Arabic speakers are highly preferred.Interested candidates please apply to this advertisement directly or send your CV to rayhaan.hajat@madisonpearl.com *Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted*