Strategy Manager, Acquiring

About the role:
The Strategy Manager will support the development of the strategic intent and vision of the organization for Enterprise business. This role will assist Acquiring business leads in developing and executing a strategic plan aimed at achieving revenue goals for 2026-2027 and creating steady revenue streams for the forthcoming years. The Strategy Manager will provide effective management information and competitive/market insights to help drive the Enterprise Acquiring business line and support Board reporting requirements. This is a key position within the Acquiring business, playing a significant role in shaping its future direction by assisting Senior Management and Stakeholders in making critical strategic decisions.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the development of the Acquiring Strategy by continuously assessing market and client (Merchant Community) needs.
• Foster creativity, change, and stability in the Enterprise & Government Business.
• Stay informed on the latest competitor offerings and emerging market trends within the Payments Industry & Merchant Services to identify focus markets/segments.
• Envision new income streams by leveraging the existing strengths of the organization and plan execution through relevant stakeholder engagement and buy-in from the Finance Business Partner.
• Prepare appropriate business responses to regulators and schemes, focusing on long-term strategic benefits for the Enterprise business and the UAE Payment industry.
• Generate strategy papers for alignment with Schemes and the UAE Banking Federation.
• Track New Value-Added Services and Products against launch business plan and objectives.
• Collaborate with Product teams to develop a roadmap and deliver a compelling client proposition.
• Serve as the primary planner, analyzer, and risk leader in developing functional strategies aligned with the overall business strategy.
• Periodically review current strategies and goals to identify strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement.
• Initiate unique solutions to existing problems and identify business gaps while advising on necessary corrective actions.
• Communicate and implement strategies and business plans across the organization.
• Support the development of high-quality business plans and business cases.
• Identify and execute on acquisitions, joint ventures, and alliances.
• Monitor and deliver agreed ROI and benefits.
• Create and deliver strategic planning materials and analytical outputs.
• Develop approaches and documentation for strategic clients/propositions or opportunities.
• Analyze threats and opportunities that may affect the strategic plan positively or negatively.
• Capture feedback from EXCO and Board meetings to inform the Enterprise strategy plan.
• Review, track, and report progress against the strategic plan at least quarterly.
• Own and manage the delivery of a quarterly performance and market intelligence report.
• Coordinate and deliver a monthly operational review report aligned with the business plan and strategy.
• Obtain and validate necessary performance data to ensure accurate reporting, aiding the Enterprise leadership team in decision-making.
• Manage the process of developing strategic documents that support the organization's needs.
• Provide necessary Enterprise inputs to support periodic stock market requirements, including quarterly guidance and annual reports.

Skills and Competencies:

• Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent leadership and people management skills.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Proficiency in relevant software and technology platforms.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage change and drive continuous improvement.
• Analytical and data-driven decision-making capabilities.

Working Conditions:

• Primarily office-based with occasional travel required for meetings, conferences, and training sessions.
• Fast-paced and dynamic work environment.

Qualifications:

• Education: [Degree or relevant education field].
• Experience: Minimum of [X years] of experience in [specific field], with at least [Y years] in a [specific role] focused on [specific area].
• Proven track record of [specific achievements or competencies].
• Strong understanding of [specific industry or market knowledge].
• Experience with [specific technologies or methodologies].