Banking & Finance Jobs in the Gulf — Saudi Arabia & UAE
Banking & Finance Jobs in the Gulf — Saudi Arabia & UAE
Quick overview
The Gulf region continues to grow as a hub for banking, investment, fintech and financial services. Riyadh and Dubai are the main hiring centers, followed by Abu Dhabi and other regional cities. This guide explains common roles, the skills employers want, where to look, and practical steps you can take to get hired.
Who hires in the Gulf?
Employers include local and regional banks, international banks with Gulf branches, investment firms, asset managers, insurance companies, fintech startups, and corporate treasury teams. Large national projects and privatization efforts also create finance roles in non-bank organizations.
Common roles you’ll find
Investment / Research Analyst
Analysts build financial models, value companies, track markets, and prepare investment notes. Employers look for strong Excel skills, clear writing, and basic accounting knowledge.
Relationship Manager / Private Banker
These client-facing roles manage portfolios and sell banking products. Communication, sales skills and knowledge of wealth products are essential.
Corporate Banker
Corporate bankers manage loans, trade finance and treasury services for business clients. Credit assessment and commercial awareness are key.
Risk Analyst / Credit Analyst
Risk and credit teams assess borrower strength, run stress tests and prepare risk reports. Strong financial statement analysis and attention to detail are required.
Compliance Officer / AML Specialist
Compliance roles enforce KYC/AML rules, prepare regulatory reports and support audits. Employers want methodical candidates with regulatory awareness.
Accountant / Financial Controller
Accountants manage accounting records, month-end close and reporting. Experience with IFRS and accurate reconciliations are expected.
Fintech Product / Business Analyst
In fintech, analysts define product needs, manage releases, and test features. Product thinking plus basic data skills help a lot.
Graduate Trainee / Intern
Many banks run graduate schemes. These rotate you across teams and are a common entry route for fresh graduates.
Skills & qualifications employers want
- Formal education: Degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business, or related field.
- Technical skills: Advanced Excel, financial modelling, accounting basics; SQL or Python for data-heavy roles.
- Certifications: CFA, ACCA, CPA, FRM, or CAMS can be decisive in some roles.
- Soft skills: Clear communication, problem solving, attention to detail, teamwork, and client orientation.
- Language: English is essential; Arabic is a strong advantage for client-facing roles.
Where to look for jobs
Start with trusted job portals and company career pages. Also use LinkedIn for networking and direct applications.
- LinkedIn Jobs — top place for finance roles and networking.
- Bayt — popular across the Gulf.
- Naukrigulf — Gulf-focused listings.
- Indeed (Gulf) — broad coverage and company reviews.
- Employer career pages — check regional banks, insurance companies, and fintechs directly.
How to make your application stand out
- Tailor your CV: match keywords from the job ad (e.g., “financial modelling”, “KYC”, “IFRS”).
- Quantify results: use numbers (e.g., “reduced reporting time by 30%”).
- Highlight certifications: put ACCA/CFA/CAMS near the top if you have them.
- Polish LinkedIn: add projects, a clear headline, and recommendations.
- Prepare examples: be ready with short case studies for interviews (credit cases, modelling, compliance scenarios).
Interview & assessment tips
- Expect technical assessments for analyst roles (Excel tests, case studies).
- Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for behavioral questions.
- Know basic local regulation and recent changes relevant to the role.
- Ask thoughtful questions about team structure, KPIs and career progression.
Working in Saudi Arabia — quick notes
Riyadh is a fast-growing finance hub. Local regulation and Saudization policies matter: some roles prioritize local hires or have specific nationalization requirements. Research the employer’s policy and the visa/permit process when applying.
Useful Gulf portal links for Saudi roles: Bayt Saudi and company career pages of major Saudi banks.
Working in the UAE — quick notes
Dubai and Abu Dhabi host many international banks and fintechs. The UAE market values fintech skills, wealth management experience and multilingual candidates. Dubai often offers flexible employment models including free-zone companies.
Useful UAE resources: LinkedIn Jobs and employer pages for Emirates NBD, ADIB, FAB, Mashreq and regional fintechs.
Networking & career development
- Join finance and fintech groups on LinkedIn and follow hiring managers.
- Attend local finance events and webinars — many firms recruit from events.
- Produce short, useful content (analyses, Excel tips) on LinkedIn to show expertise.
- Consider short online courses to fill skill gaps quickly.
Related articles (internal links)
To increase your chances, read related guides on this site:
Future of banking & finance in the Gulf
The sector is moving fast: digital banking, fintech, ESG reporting and data analytics are shaping new roles. Expect growth in roles that combine finance with technology — transaction monitoring with AI, digital payments product managers, and ESG analysts. Professionals who combine financial knowledge with technical skills will be in strong demand.
Why work in the Gulf banking sector?
- Strong career progression and employer-sponsored training.
- Exposure to regional and cross-border deals and projects.
- Competitive pay packages and benefits in many firms.
- Opportunities across banks, fintechs, asset managers and corporate treasury teams.
Note: This article is informational and not legal or immigration advice. Always confirm job, licensing and visa requirements directly with the employer or official authorities.