Head of Balance Sheet Management

Bank ABC seeks to recruit a Head of Group Balance Sheet Management at its Head Office in Bahrain.

To Manage the Group balance sheet strategy Asset & Liability Management framework to optimize liquidity, funding, capital efficiency and risk-adjusted returns in line with strategic and regulatory objectives. Monitor Realised RAROC results in conjunction with business units to drive portfolio management actions and to enhance return on capital. Support senior management in steering balance sheet strategy, governance, stress testing and external positioning with rating agencies and key stakeholders, and enforce capital, liquidity and IRRBB management disciplines across the Bank’s network.

Scope of the Job

Balance Sheet and ALM:

• Own the Active Balance Sheet Management framework, including policies, limits and governance across Capital, liquidity, IRRBB and structural risks
• Develop and steer the Group balance sheet management strategy covering asset and liability structure, funding mix, capital efficiency and balance sheet capacity to support strategic and financial objectives
• Drive optmisation of capital and liquidity to improve returns factoring in the risk appetite and regulatory constraints
• Lead forward-looking balance sheet forecasting and scenario modelling across business plans and strategic cycles with a view to assess impact on liquidity, funding, capital and regulatory metrics
• Collaborate in designing stress testing frameworks and sensitivity analysis aligned to risk appetite
• Identify constraints early and recommend pre-emptive management actions

Liquidity & Funding Strategy:

• Oversee structural liquidity and funding profile, ensuring resilience and diversification
• Define funding strategy across sources, tenor, currency and concentration limits
• Review Internal Fund Transfer Pricing Standards to ensure it is fit for purpose and driving organizational objectives on driving growth and ROE
• Monitor key liquidity metrics (LCR, NSFR, survival horizon) and drive corrective actions
• Partner with Treasury on funding execution, asset monetisation and contingency actions

Capital Efficiency & Return Optimisation:

• Drive optimisation of RWA, liquidity usage, leverage and cost of funds
• Own and champion the RAROC methodology to monitor and enhance risk-adjusted returns across assets and liabilities
• Embed FTP discipline to reflect cost of funds and liquidity in business decisions
• Challenge business plans from a risk-return and balance sheet perspective
• Guide portfolio actions to improve profitability, capital efficiency and balance sheet utilisation
• Establish frameworks for allocation of scarce resources (capital & liquidity)

Governance, Committees & Regulatory Interface:

• Act as a core contributor to GALCO and senior management forums in highlighting matters of strategic implications
• Provide guidance to Country ALCOs on industry / group best practices and ensure consistent implementation across the Group
• Ensure compliance with regulatory frameworks on ALM and liquidity
• Maintain oversight of policies, limits and governance frameworks

Rating Agency Management & External Positioning:

• Partner with GCFO in building the rating strategy and managing relationships with rating agencies
• Monitor rating sensitivities and drive actions to protect ratings. Proactively monitor evolving changes to rating agency methodologies to position group balance sheet in support of rating strategy.
• Ensure alignment between internal strategy and external messaging
• Contribute to rating reviews, investor communication and disclosures

Data integrity and availability:

• Collaborate with various stakeholders to ensure relevant and accurate data is available
• Develop and maintain controls to validate data accuracy
• Improvise / Build workarounds to fill data gaps.

Areas of Knowledge, Qualification and Experience

Knowledge

• Good understanding of Banking business, Capital and liquidity regulations, Treasury and the related market dynamics
• Good knowledge of credit risk mitigation strategies including enhanced structuring and/or CRD compliant credit insurance
• Advanced PC skills
• A good degree of analytical and problem-solving skills
• Awareness of Performance Management and project management tools

Education / Certifications

• A Professional accountant / Banking & Finance degree, preferably with CFA/FRM or equivalent

Experience

• 20 years of working experience in multi-disciplined background preferably a part with a big 4 or other professional services firm and 10 years of relevant work experience in a Bank.

Personal attributes

• Good level of people management skills and self-motivated
• High level of communications and interpersonal skills