Role Purpose:

The Senior Manager – Fund Operations is responsible for leading the design, execution, and governance of MBRF’s financial instruments and fund operations. This role is critical to delivering scalable, risk-adjusted funding solutions for Emirati-led SMEs. Combining financial strategy, credit structuring, compliance oversight, and multi-stakeholder coordination, the role directly supports Dubai’s D33 economic agenda by optimizing fund deployment, enhancing portfolio performance, and expanding strategic capital partnerships.

Key Responsibilities:

1. SME Fund Structuring & Lending Models

• Design and implement innovative financing solutions including revenue-based lending, credit guarantees, and quasi-equity instruments.
• Oversee the SME lending portfolio across pipeline development, due diligence, credit approvals, and repayment monitoring.
• Develop tailored financial products for underserved or high-growth sectors.
• Ensure alignment of lending models with local and federal regulatory requirements.

2. Credit Risk, Underwriting & Portfolio Oversight

• Lead credit policy development, including underwriting frameworks, scoring models, and segmentation strategies.
• Monitor disbursements, collections, and defaults to maintain portfolio health.
• Conduct scenario planning and stress testing to assess fund performance resilience.
• Manage relationships with credit bureaus, collections agencies, and financial intermediaries.

3. Strategic Finance Partnerships & Capital Mobilization

• Structure co-funding and blended finance models with banks, DFIs, sovereign funds, and fintech players.
• Negotiate public-private capital deployment agreements.
• Onboard strategic delivery platforms such as payment processors, credit rating providers, and loan management systems.

4. Fund Operations, Governance & Compliance

• Oversee policies and procedures for fund operations, disbursement cycles, and reporting.
• Ensure strong internal controls, audit readiness, and compliance with public financial management standards.
• Lead quarterly fund reporting to the Board and key oversight bodies.

5. Policy Engagement & Ecosystem Representation

• Contribute to SME finance policy reform and advocate for regulatory improvements.
• Represent MBRF in national finance councils, cross-government taskforces, and economic strategy forums.
• Organize and participate in ecosystem events, investor roadshows, and partner briefings.

Qualifications & Requirements:

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Public Policy, or a related field (required).
• Master’s degree in Finance, Development Economics, or Business Administration (preferred).
• Professional certifications such as CFA, CAIA, PMP, or equivalent are a strong advantage.

Experience

• 8–12 years in fund management, SME lending, or development finance institutions.
• Demonstrated success in managing structured SME financing programs ranging from AED 20M to 100M+.
• Experience working with government-backed financing schemes, startup/scale-up funding platforms, or blended finance tools.

Technical Skills

• Expertise in fund structuring, credit risk management, and blended finance mechanisms.
• Strong skills in financial modeling, impact measurement, and fund governance.
• Familiarity with regulatory frameworks and public-private capital deployment.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and strategic finance leadership capabilities.