Banking & Finance Jobs in the Gulf — Saudi Arabia & UAE

Quick summary

This guide helps jobseekers find and prepare for banking and finance roles in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. You’ll find the most common roles, the core skills employers want, where to search, and clear steps to make your application stronger.

Why choose banking & finance in the Gulf?

High demand: Gulf financial centers are growing — banks, investment firms, fintechs, and insurance businesses hire actively.
Career paths: Finance roles offer clear progression (analyst → senior analyst → manager → director).
Professional development: Many employers fund certifications and training (CFA, ACCA, FRM).
Regional hubs: Riyadh, Jeddah, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi are the main hiring centers.

Top banking & finance roles

Below are common roles you will see advertised. Each role lists key responsibilities and core skills.

Role	Key responsibilities	Core skills
Investment / Research Analyst	Financial modeling, market research, report writing, support investment decisions.	Financial analysis, Excel, valuation, report writing, attention to detail.
Relationship Manager / Private Banker	Manage client portfolios, sales of banking products, client acquisition & retention.	Communication, sales, product knowledge, customer service, negotiation.
Corporate Banker	Work with corporate clients on loans, trade finance, and treasury services.	Credit analysis, product knowledge, client management, risk assessment.
Risk Analyst / Credit Analyst	Assess credit risk, monitor exposures, prepare risk reports and recommendations.	Risk modeling, financial statement analysis, regulatory knowledge.

Accountant / Financial Controller	Manage accounting records, month-end close, financial reporting and audits.	Accounting standards (IFRS), Excel, reconciliation, reporting.
Treasury Analyst	Liquidity management, cash forecasting, hedging support, bank relationships.	Cash management, Excel, markets knowledge, attention to detail.
Fintech Product / Business Analyst	Define product requirements, support implementation, run user acceptance tests.	Product thinking, data analysis, stakeholder communication, domain knowledge.
Intern / Graduate Trainee (Finance)	Support teams, learn processes, assist with reporting and basic analysis.	Willingness to learn, Excel basics, attention to detail.

Where banks and finance firms hire (top locations)

Saudi Arabia

Riyadh — central hub for corporate banking, investment banking, and fintech partnerships.
Jeddah and Dammam — regional branches, corporate banking and treasury teams.

UAE

Dubai — international banking, wealth management, fintech, and global trading desks.
Abu Dhabi — sovereign funds, corporate banking, and investment roles.

Where to search for jobs (trusted portals)

LinkedIn Jobs — most active, good for networking.
Bayt — popular in the Gulf for banking roles.
Naukrigulf — focused on Gulf vacancies.
Indeed (Gulf) — broad listings and company reviews.
Company career pages — check major regional banks and financial institutions directly.

Qualifications & certifications that help

Employers value formal education plus practical certifications. Consider these:

Degree: Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business, or related field.
Accounting certifications: ACCA, CPA, or equivalent (valuable for accounting roles).
Investment & risk: CFA (investment roles), FRM (risk roles).
Technical & data: SQL, Excel (advanced), Python for quant/data roles.

How to make your application stand out

Tailor your CV — match keywords from the job ad (e.g., “financial modeling”, “KYC”, “IFRS”).
Show results: use short bullet points with numbers (e.g., “Reduced invoice processing time by 30%”).
Highlight certifications: put ACCA/CFA/CAMS near the top if you have them.
LinkedIn profile: keep it professional, show projects, get recommendations from managers.
Prepare role-specific examples: credit case studies for credit roles, modeling examples for investment roles.

Interview & assessment tips

Know the product: for relationship roles, know banking products (loans, trade finance, treasury products).
Technical tests: financial roles may include Excel modeling, case studies, or coding tests.
Behavioural questions: prepare STAR answers (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
Regulation awareness: be familiar with local regulations and basic compliance expectations.
Ask good questions: about team size, reporting lines, performance metrics, and career path.

Networking & building visibility

Join LinkedIn finance groups and follow Gulf banks and hiring managers.
Attend local finance meetups, conferences, and webinars (many firms host virtual events).
Contribute short analyses or articles on LinkedIn — it shows domain knowledge.
Ask for informational interviews — short 15–20 min chats can open doors.

Common entry paths

Graduate schemes / internships: many banks run trainee programs — apply early and tailor your application.
Internal mobility: once in a bank, move across departments (e.g., from operations to credit).
Contract & temp roles: short-term roles can lead to permanent positions.
Fintech startups: view them as rapid-skills development environments.

Practical checklist before you apply

Update CV and LinkedIn with recent projects.
Prepare a short cover letter tailored to the role.
Gather professional references and ensure contact details are current.
Practice common technical questions and a mock interview.
Confirm visa/work permit requirements for the country (employer usually assists for expat hires).

Tips for expats and local candidates

Expats

Be clear on visa sponsorship and benefits.
Highlight international experience and adaptability.
Understand local cultural norms for business and communication.

Local candidates

Leverage local networks and in-person events.
Show familiarity with local regulations and market context.
Consider government or national-bank programs that support local talent.

Checklist for the first 90 days on the job

Build relationships with your immediate team and stakeholders.
Set clear goals with your manager (KPIs, deliverables).
Document processes and quick wins — early impact is noticed.
Ask for feedback regularly and adjust your approach.

Useful links & portals

LinkedIn Jobs
Bayt
Naukrigulf
Indeed (Gulf)
Check major employer pages (regional banks, investment firms, and fintechs).

Conclusion

Banking and finance jobs in Saudi Arabia and the UAE offer strong career paths for both graduates and experienced professionals. Focus on relevant skills, certifications, clear CVs, and strong networking. Use the job portals above and tailor each application — that combination raises your chances of success.

Start searching on LinkedIn