Project Manager Open Banking

Role Overview

A leading retail bank in the GCC is seeking a highly experienced Senior Open Banking Project Manager to lead strategic Open Banking and API-driven transformation initiatives across Digital Channels, Payments,Customer Journeys and Ecosystem Partnerships. The role requires strong delivery leadership, deep retail banking domain expertise, and hands-on experience working within GCC regulatory environments, particularly SAMA frameworks and banking governance standards. The successful candidate will operate across business, technology, operations, compliance, architecture, vendors and external fintech partners to

deliver complex digital banking programmes with measurable commercial impact.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead end-to-end Open Banking programmes including API enablement, customer consent journeys, fintech integration and ecosystem partnerships.

• Manage large-scale delivery across Retail Banking, Digital Channels, Payments, Core banking and customer Experience functions.

• Drive programme governance, RAID management, executive reporting, financial tracking and delivery assurance.

• Work closely with architecture, cybersecurity, risk, legal and compliance teams to ensure regulatory alignment.

• Ensure adherence to SAMA Open Banking Framework requirements, PDPL considerations and applicable GCC banking regulations.

• Manage third-party vendors, fintech partners, system integrators and cross-functional delivery teams.

• Support business case development, prioritisation and value realisation for digital initiatives.

• Drive Agile delivery practices including sprint governance, backlog management, release planning and stakeholder alignment.

• Coordinate testing, UAT, operational readiness, production deployment and post-go-live stabilisation activities.

• Provide leadership updates to senior stakeholders, steering committees and executive management.

Required Experience:

• Minimum 10 years’ experience within Retail Banking and Digital Banking transformation programmes.

• Strong GCC banking experience with direct exposure to Saudi banking environments.

• Hands-on knowledge of SAMA Open Banking standards, governance and regulatory expectations.

• Proven track record delivering large-scale banking technology or digital transformation programmes.

• Experience managing API programmes, fintech integration and customer-facing digital platforms.

• Strong understanding of Payments, Mobile Banking, Online Banking and Customer Journeys.

• Experience operating within Agile and hybrid delivery environments.

• Excellent stakeholder management and executive communication skills.

• Experience working with international consulting firms, system integrators and technology vendors is advantageous.

Core Skills & Competencies:

Domain Expertise: Open Banking, APIs, Digital Channels, Payments, Retail Banking

Regulatory Knowledge: SAMA, PDPL, GCC Banking Regulations

Methodologies: Agile, Scrum, Waterfall Hybrid Delivery

Tools & Governance: Jira, Confluence, RAID, Steering Committees, Portfolio Reporting

Leadership Senior: stakeholder engagement, programme governance, vendor management

Qualifications & Certifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, Business or related discipline.

• Agile Certification required (e.g., Scrum Master, SAFe, Agile PM or equivalent).

• PMP, Prince2 or equivalent programme management certification preferred.

• Banking or fintech transformation experience within Saudi Arabia strongly preferred.

Ideal Candidate Profile:

The ideal candidate is commercially aware, delivery-focused and capable of operating confidently with senior banking executives, regulators, vendors and delivery teams. They should bring a strong balance of strategic thinking, execution discipline, regulatory awareness and stakeholder management capability.