Job Purpose

To lead the formulation, execution, and monitoring of Bank Nizwa’s corporate strategy, ensuring alignment with the Bank’s vision, Islamic banking principles, regulatory requirements, and shareholder expectations. The role is responsible for driving strategic planning, corporate performance management, market and competitive intelligence, and supporting the CEO and Executive Management in making data driven strategic decisions that enhance sustainable growth, profitability, and long-term value creation.

Main Tasks & Accountabilities

Corporate Strategy Development

• Lead the development and periodic refresh of the Bank’s multiyear corporate strategy in alignment with Board and CEO direction.
• Translate strategic objectives into clear strategic pillars, initiatives, and measurable targets.
• Ensure alignment between corporate strategy, business unit strategies, and annual business plans.
• Support the Board and Executive Management in defining long-term growth ambitions and strategic priorities.

Strategic Planning & Annual Business Planning

• Lead the annual strategic planning and business planning cycle across the Bank.
• Provide guidance to business units in developing their plans, ensuring consistency and alignment with corporate strategy.
• Review, challenge, and consolidate business plans before submission to Executive Management and the Board.
• Ensure financial and non-financial targets are clearly articulated, measurable, and linked to strategic priorities.

Corporate Performance Management

• Establish and maintain an enterprise-wide performance management framework and strategic scorecard.
• Track execution of strategic initiatives and business plan commitments across all business and support functions.
• Develop executive dashboards and periodic performance packs (financial, customer, operational, and strategic KPIs).
• Identify performance gaps, root causes, and corrective actions, and escalate key issues to Executive Management.

Market Intelligence & Competitive Analysis

• Conduct ongoing market, industry, and competitor analysis (Islamic and conventional banks) to support strategic positioning.
• Assess sector opportunities and macroeconomic trends impacting priority segments (retail, SME, corporate, treasury).
• Provide structured insights and recommendations to the CEO/ExCo on threats, opportunities, and strategic responses.

Strategic Initiatives & Special Projects

• Lead or support CEO sponsored strategic initiatives and cross bank special projects (as assigned).
• Define initiative scope, success metrics, milestones, interdependencies, and delivery governance in coordination with relevant stakeholders.
• Support strategic partnerships, ecosystem initiatives, and new capability build outs that enable growth or efficiency.

Business Case Development & Strategic Investment Evaluation

• Develop and review business cases for new products, services, distribution models, or strategic programs.
• Evaluate financial viability, risk considerations, strategic fit, and operational readiness of proposals.
• Support assessment of alliances, acquisitions, strategic investments, or divestments when applicable.

Governance, Regulatory & Shari’a Alignment

• Ensure strategic initiatives comply with CBO regulations, internal governance standards, and policy requirements.
• Coordinate with Shari’a Compliance to ensure strategic initiatives align with Islamic banking principles and product governance requirements.
• Support preparation of strategy related materials for the Board and Board Committees, ensuring clarity and governance readiness.

Stakeholder Management & Executive Support

• Act as a trusted strategic advisor to the CEO and Executive Management, providing structured analysis and recommendations.
• Prepare Board level and Executive presentations, strategy papers, and discussion materials.
• Facilitate strategy workshops, leadership offsites, and cross-functional strategic alignment sessions.

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Engineering, or related field.
• Preferred: MBA or equivalent postgraduate qualification.

Professional Qualification

• Preferred: Strategy/consulting, finance, or analytics certifications; Islamic banking knowledge/certification is an advantage.

Working Experience

• Minimum 12–15 years of experience in banking, management consulting, corporate strategy, or financial services.
• Proven experience in corporate strategy, business planning, performance management, and executive reporting.
• Experience supporting Executive Management and Board-level stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of the Oman/GCC banking landscape; Islamic banking experience preferred.

General Competencies

• Strategic thinking, commercial acumen, and structured problem-solving.
• Strong analytical capability (financial modeling, business case development, KPI frameworks).
• Excellent executive communication and presentation skills (Board-ready materials).
• Stakeholder management and influence at senior levels.
• High integrity, confidentiality, and ownership mindset.
• Ability to manage multiple workstreams and deliver under tight timelines.