Vice President Asset Management Governance and Products

QNB Group’s presence through its subsidiaries and associate companies extends to more than 31 countries across three continents providing a comprehensive range of advanced products and services. The total number of employees is more than 28,000 serving up to 20 million customers operating through 1,000 locations, with an ATM network of 4,300 machines.

QNB has maintained its position as one of the highest rated regional banks from leading credit rating agencies including Standard & Poor’s (A), Moody’s (Aa3) and Fitch (A+). The Bank has also been the recipient of many awards from leading international specialised financial publications.

Based on the Group’s consistent strong financial performance and its expanding international presence, QNB currently ranks as the most valuable bank brand in the Middle East and Africa, according to Brand Finance Magazine.

QNB Group has an active community support program and sponsors various social, educational and sporting events.

Job Summary :The incumbent will be responsible for identifying and developing new products and services related to Asset Management in Doha and in any Branches and Subsidiaries, evaluates and maintains viability of current product offerings, and contributes insight into Asset Management in a product area or region. The incumbent is responsible for the achievement of the set budget targets for the Product Development Function in compliance with established policies, procedures, standards and regulatory requirements and overseas Branches and Subsidiaries for the Asset Management Divisions. They will monitor compliance with the policies and procedures with prevailing practices and regulations pertaining to Funds Management promulgated by the respective regulators (Qatar Central Bank as well as other regulators particularly in the UCITS regulation).

Main Responsibilities:

• Prepares the strategic and business development plans for the Product Development Function.
• Manages the implementation of the strategy and business plan of the Product Development Function to achieve the set volume, revenue, and profit targets.
• Manages the implementation of Product Development best practices across all activities/ operations to promote efficiencies in work processes, ultimately resulting in increased customer satisfaction.
• Recommends appropriate pricing structures/ policies for the Product Development Function.
• Identifies new business opportunities in conjunction with the respective unit heads and thereby facilitate growth of business.
• Maintain viability of existing products by monitoring market trends, identifying areas to improve or expand the Divisions product line, and pursuing necessary product and rule modifications where required.
• Implements KPI’s and best practices for “VP, Asset Management Governance & Products”.
• Promote cost consciousness and efficiency and enhance productivity, to minimize cost, avoid waste, and optimize benefits for the bank.
• Act within the limits of the powers delegated to the incumbent and delegate authority to the respective staff and monitor exercise of the same.
• Demonstrate clear understanding of the important factors behind the bank’s financial & non-financial performance.
• Develops the overall policies and procedures pertaining to Product Development Function activities/ operations.
• Monitors compliance with the policies/ procedures with prevailing practices/ regulations pertaining to Funds Management promulgated by the respective regulators (viz. Qatar Central Bank as well as other regulators particularly in the UCITS regulation).
• Responsible for implementing the overall action plans for addressing control weaknesses or compliance issues noted by the Group Internal Audit t, external auditors, regulators, or the Group Compliance.
• Creation of policy and procedures for the funds governance: Minimum Profit, Funds Jurisdiction, Product Launch Process and monitor the Branches and Subsidiaries to assert they follow group policy.
• Monitor and oversight the Vendors of Asset Management including Branches and Subsidiaries in order to assure the boarding process.
• Reviews/ analyzes the Product Development Function management accounts (product profitability, product turnover time, and product penetration) on monthly basis and address adverse variances of QNB Doha and Branches and Subsidiaries.
• Develops Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) prepared, for the purpose of performance monitoring, quality measurement and monitor their achievements on periodic basis.
• Conduct review of the Vendors (Custodians, Brokers, Index Providers and IT providers) regularly and present the review for approval in the Product Management Committee.
• Ensure the invoices of other Branches and Subsidiaries are paid according to Group FCD limits and as well as ensure that the invoices reflect the contractual agreement fees.
• Bring the Products performance and products changes / opening and closure – managed outside Qatar by Branches and Subsidiaries are discussed and approved in the Product Management Committee.
• Ensures the provision of value added products and services to existing/ potential clientele who seek asset management relationships with the Group and meeting/ exceeding their service expectations.
• Develop those products into viable, working markets by actively engaging externally with market participants as Asset Managers, government regulatory agencies, and other market participants: Index Providers, Custodians and Funds Administrators, MANCOs (UCITS) technology vendors and other service providers as well as information licensors.
• Coordinate product launches internally with, Sales teams including Branches and Subsidiaries, regulatory entities, Back Office and Operational areas, and be in constant liaison with Legal and Compliance including Branches and Subsidiaries.
• Develop Market Intelligence by active solicit feedback from industry participants through various means including trade calls, surveys, industry events, trade shows and conferences to stay abreast of changing demands and market needs and report back intelligence gathered to all stakeholders in a systematic fashion.
• Ensures that the Product Development Function provides timely and accurate information to the external and internal auditors, the Group Compliance and Group Risk and Regulators.

Education and Experience Requirements :

• Bachelor Degree in Business, Commerce, Finance, Mathematics, or Economics.
• CISI certification is a requirement with minimal MCSI level.
• CFA (or equivalent) is an advantage.
• 12 years Investment Product Development experience, of which 5 years should have been in a leading role in a similar department, preferably in the Arabian Gulf.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills (including report writing) in English with Arabic an added advantage.
• Excellent interpersonal and presentation skills.
• Good knowledge of the Investment Product development business.
• Superior ‘people relationship’ skills and awareness of risk management concept and practices.
• Understanding of the relevant laws, regulations and practices pertaining to Financial Products particularly of International jurisdictions such as UCITS, Cayman and ESMA as well DIFC and QFC.
• Ability to make decisions and follow through with initiatives.
• Personal integrity and self-management.
• Outstanding problem solving and decision making skills.
• Planning, organizing and analytical ability.
• Results oriented.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to communicate both verbally and in writing with all levels of management.