Head of New Markets

**Job Requisition ID**:170052

Established in the 1930s as a trading business, Al-Futtaim Group today is one of the most diversified and progressive, privately held regional businesses headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Structured into five operating divisions; automotive, financial services, real estate, retail and healthcare; employing more than 35,000 employees across more than 20 countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa, Al-Futtaim Group partners with over 200 of the world's most admired and innovative brands. Al-Futtaim Group’s entrepreneurship and relentless customer focus enables the organization to continue to grow and expand; responding to the changing needs of our customers within the societies in which we operate.

By upholding our values of respect, excellence, collaboration and integrity; Al-Futtaim Group continues to enrich the lives and aspirations of our customers each and every day

**Overview of the role**:
The Head of New Markets will lead the strategic expansion into emerging territories by establishing strong partnerships with local banks and regulatory authorities. This role requires deep expertise in navigating diverse regulatory environments, building trust with key stakeholders, and designing adaptable business models tailored to each country’s unique market conditions. The incumbent will spearhead the launch and growth of finance companies in new markets such as Egypt and Kuwait, ensuring compliance, sustainable operations, and long-term profitability.

Through effective relationship management and market insight, the Head of New Markets will drive the company’s successful entry and establishment in targeted regions.

**What you will do**:

- ** Develop and execute market entry strategies**

Define and lead a comprehensive go-to-market strategy for launching financial services in new countries. This includes identifying viable markets, conducting feasibility studies, aligning with corporate goals, and securing internal approvals for market entry. The strategy should cover legal, financial, operational, and customer dimensions
- ** Establish and maintain strategic partnerships with banks**:
Identify, negotiate, and formalize partnerships with reputable local and regional banks to support operational needs such as lending, collections, distribution, and risk-sharing. Ensure that these partnerships align with the company’s commercial strategy and regulatory expectations
- **Build and maintain relationships with local regulators**:
Proactively engage with financial regulators, central banks, and other relevant authorities to ensure compliance with local laws. Develop mutual trust and open communication channels to support long-term licensing, auditing, and regulatory approval processes
- ** Lead cross-functional teams to deliver market expansion goals**:
Provide leadership and alignment across internal teams (product, legal, finance, operations, risk, etc.) to ensure cohesive execution of the market entry plan. Promote clear roles, milestones, and accountability for each function in the expansion timeline
- ** Design and implement country-specific business models**:
Create a locally optimized business model that reflects the economic conditions, customer behaviour, credit risk profiles, and regulatory framework of each new market. Ensure that the model is adaptable and scalable and aligns with long-term profitability goals
- ** Stakeholders’ management**:
Building and maintaining productive relationships with stakeholders to ensure alignment, support, and successful outcomes
- ** Team development and performance**:
Enhancing team cohesion, skills, and alignment to achieve high performance and organizational goals
- **Ensure financial performance and risk management**:
Oversee the financial health of new operations, including revenue generation, cost control, credit risk, and overall profitability. Put in place financial controls, risk policies, and performance monitoring tools tailored to the new market environment

**Required Skills to be successful**:
**Job-Specific Skills**:

- Market expansion and business development in emerging regions
- Strong knowledge of financial services and banking products
- Strategic planning and commercial analysis
- Regulatory compliance and risk management
- Cross-cultural negotiation and stakeholder engagement
- Data-driven decision-making and customer insight
- Operational execution and team leadership
- Proficiency in financial modelling, commercial analysis, and strategic planning
- Languages: Fluent English, Arabic
- In-depth knowledge of financial services and banking products
- Strong understanding of market entry strategies and business development
- Familiarity with regulatory frameworks across multiple regions

**What equips you for the role**:
Bachelor’s degree in business, Finance, Economics, or a related field (MBA preferred

**About Al-Futtaim Automotive**
A major division of the UAE-based Al-Futtaim Group of companies, **