Head of Credit Risk - Special Assets & Remedial

Head of Credit Risk - Special Assets & Remedial

Location: United Arab Emirates

Confidential Mandate - Exclusive Search

We are exclusively partnering with a well-established and highly respected UAE-based banking institution to appoint a Head of Credit Risk - Special Assets & Remedial.

This is a critical second line leadership role reporting directly to the Chief Risk Officer. The successful candidate will lead the Bank's enterprise-wide credit risk framework, portfolio oversight, and stressed asset strategy across corporate, business banking, financial institutions and retail.

Arabic language capability is strongly preferred due to the nature of stakeholder engagement and portfolio exposure.

We are seeking either:

• A current Head of Credit Risk with oversight of Special Assets / Remedial portfolios; or
• A strong Deputy / Senior Credit Risk Leader currently operating as a "number two" who is ready to step into a broader enterprise leadership mandate.

The Role

The position combines strategic oversight with hands-on leadership across:

• Portfolio analytics and risk reporting
• Special Assets Management (SAM)
• Corporate & Retail Remedial / Recoveries
• Distressed restructuring and NPL strategy
• Regulatory engagement and audit oversight

The mandate includes strengthening governance, enhancing early warning mechanisms, optimising capital allocation, and actively managing stressed and non-performing portfolios.

Key Responsibilities Strategic Credit Risk Leadership

• Develop and enhance the Credit Risk Management Framework aligned to Risk Appetite and regulatory standards.
• Provide portfolio-level insights to Executive Management and Board Risk Committees.
• Advise the CRO and senior leadership on material credit exposures and emerging risks.
• Monitor concentration limits and portfolio performance across segments.
• Oversee IFRS9-related activities and provisioning adequacy.
• Drive improvements in risk-based pricing and early warning systems.
• Ensure robust Basel parameter governance and model oversight.

Special Assets & Remedial Leadership

• Lead Special Assets, Corporate Remedial and Retail Recoveries teams.
• Drive reduction of non-performing loans and maximise recovery outcomes.
• Oversee distressed restructuring and compliance with regulatory credit standards.

Governance & Regulatory Engagement

• Lead interactions with regulators, external auditors and internal audit.
• Ensure full compliance with central bank credit risk standards.

Candidate Profile

• Minimum 20 years' banking experience with deep credit risk exposure.
• Strong experience in Special Assets / Stressed Asset Management / Remedial.
• Background across credit approvals, underwriting, portfolio analytics and governance.
• Proven regulatory engagement experience.
• Strong knowledge of IFRS9 and Basel frameworks.
• Demonstrated leadership capability managing specialist teams.
• Arabic speaker (strongly preferred).

Education

Postgraduate degree in Business, Economics, Finance or related field.

MBA, CFA, CA, CPA or equivalent professional qualification preferred.

Why Consider This Role?

This is a rare opportunity to shape and elevate the credit risk function within a respected regional banking platform. The role offers Executive and Board exposure, strategic influence, and leadership of a sizeable specialist function.

For a strong number two, this represents a natural progression into a full enterprise credit leadership mandate.