Manager, Strategic Partnerships (UAE nationals only)

Standard Chartered is sourcing a Manager, Strategic Partnerships to lead the governance, contractual oversight and day-to-day delivery of resources provided by workforce partners in Dubai. This onsite, full-time role sits at the intersection of the bank, its partner vendors and staff operating under an augmented workforce arrangement, with a focus on keeping performance high, regulatory compliance intact and operations running smoothly.

The right person thrives when solving practical problems across multiple stakeholders and enjoys coordinating across internal teams and external partners. If you’re the kind of professional who can balance governance with hands-on delivery and translate strategic objectives into real-world actions, this could be a fit. Standard Chartered, a global bank with a 170-year history spanning Asia, Africa and the Middle East, is looking for someone who wants to contribute to a diverse network that supports clients and growth in one of its key markets.

Shaping partnerships and governance in Dubai

You’ll oversee governance across partner-supplied resources, maintain contract adherence and coordinate the delivery of staffing through augmented workforce arrangements. As the principal liaison among Standard Chartered, the workforce vendors and internal teams, you’ll help ensure vendor performance meets expectations, regulatory requirements are met, and day-to-day operations stay aligned with business goals. Part of your remit includes monitoring risk and controls, keeping an eye on financial aspects tied to the partnerships, and collaborating with different stakeholders to resolve issues quickly.

What you’ll need to bring

What matters most are your hands-on capabilities in managing external partnerships and contracts, your ability to coordinate with diverse stakeholders, and your analytical mindset for reporting and problem solving. The role prefers hands-on experience in banking or financial services, where you’ve demonstrated oversight of vendor relationships and governance initiatives.

• Proven track record in managing vendor relationships and partner ecosystems
• Contract management experience with a track record of ensuring terms are honored
• Strong stakeholder management and clear, collaborative communication
• Solid analytical, reporting and problem-solving skills
• Experience within banking or financial services

• Familiarity with governance models for partner-managed workforces or augmented staffing
• Arabic language skills are a plus
• Additional exposure to risk, compliance and controls oversight

Pay, benefits and practical details

The bank emphasizes an inclusive, values-driven culture that celebrates diversity across teams and geographies. In line with fair pay principles, the role offers a competitive salary and benefits aimed at supporting mental, physical, financial and social wellbeing. You’ll have retirement savings support, medical and life insurance through core bank provisions, with flexible and voluntary benefits available in some locations.

Time off includes annual leave, parental/maternity leave of 20 weeks, a sabbatical of up to 12 months and three days of volunteering leave, with a global minimum of 30 days combining annual leave and public holidays. Flexible working options exist, tailored around home and office locations and adaptable work patterns. Proactive wellbeing support is provided through Unmind, resilience and other human-skills courses, an employee assistance programme, sick leave and mental health resources. The bank also supports ongoing learning, offering opportunities to reskill and upskill via physical, virtual and digital learning modalities. This position is onsite in Dubai.

Advice for applicants

Lead your resume with a concise summary that foregrounds your vendor/partner management and governance experience, especially within a banking or financial services setting.

When detailing your experience, illustrate how you’ve managed contracts and coordinated with multiple stakeholders, adding concrete examples of governance and reporting outcomes that improved performance or reduced risk.

Prepare to talk through governance and risk controls in the context of an augmented workforce, including how you maintained regulatory compliance while keeping service delivery on track.

If you’re invited to interview, consider a thoughtful question about the governance framework for partner-managed resources and how success is measured in this role, plus how the team collaborates with workforce partners in the Dubai market. Also, explicitly confirm you are a UAE national and available to work onsite in Dubai, as the position is UAE nationals only.