Project Management Associate, UAE SME Venture - SC Ventures

Job Summary

SC Ventures is a business unit that provides a platform and catalyst for Standard Chartered to promote innovation, invest in disruptive financial technology and explore alternative business models.

SC Ventures is launching a new SME venture in the GCC, with a focus on UAE (Phase 1) and KSA (Phase 2). SC Ventures has multiple SME ventures across India, Africa and Southeast Asia. The plan is to build a new venture in the Middle East, enabling SMEs to grow profitably and safely, leveraging our existing expertise and experience in this space. Currently, the venture is in Ideation phase and plans to get seed funding in Q1’25, with an aggressive target of going commercially live in Q4’25.

The role will be based in the UAE.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic

1. Support the implementation of the vision, strategy, and direction for the Venture which aligns with business growth objectives, the technology landscape and customer needs.
2. Contribute to the Ideation and Acceleration of the Value Proposition.
3. Support the implementation of project plans for launch of a new venture.
4. Pursue a deep understanding of user and customer needs based on customer research.
5. Track and support delivery on the metrics and KPIs to measure the success of operational processes and identify areas for improvement.

Business

1. Support the day-to-day operations of the company.
2. Conduct local market research, prepare client and partner pitches.
3. Support financial modelling for the Venture.
4. Execute project workstreams as per agreed deadlines.
5. Support client co-creation workshops.
6. Effectively and collaboratively identify, develop and research new business models for effective growth.
7. Work cross-functionally with Technology, Product, Compliance and Marketing teams to ensure efficient and effective delivery of product goals.
8. Support the MVP development, testing and launch.
9. Create and run customer surveys to generate insights.
10. Coordinate with various departments to improve operational efficiency.
11. Support the Product team in fine-tuning product offering and new product development to ensure products are fit for market.
12. Provide the necessary customer and process feedback to the Product team to facilitate their product development efforts.
13. Support onboarding of new vendors and contractors.

Risk Management

1. To escalate operational risk issues to Venture Lead.
2. Be the designated contact point from operations for any audit or risk items.

Governance

1. Follow a risk-based approach to decision making.
2. Use various metrics to identify potential risk for the Company and appropriately escalate them to risk stakeholders.
3. Ensure timely escalation to senior management of any exception noticed related to work and environment.

Business Conduct

1. Display exemplary conduct and live by the Group’s Values and Code of Conduct.
2. Take personal responsibility for embedding the highest standards of ethics and business conduct, across Standard Chartered Bank. This includes understanding and ensuring compliance with, in letter and spirit, all applicable laws, regulations, guidelines and the Group Code of Conduct.
3. Support the Venture’s Operations, Implementation to achieve the outcomes set out in the Bank’s Conduct Principles: Fair Outcomes for Clients; Effective Financial Markets; Financial Crime Compliance; The Right Environment.

Experience And Qualifications

1. 5 to 7 years of experience working in project management and operational roles. Preferably with experience at a consultancy, Fintech or financial institution.
2. Knowledge of SMEs in GCC markets, specifically UAE and KSA.
3. Understanding of Fintech environment.
4. High-energy individual with an ability to collaborate with remote teams.
5. Comfortable with ambiguity, self-starter.
6. Arab speaking preferred.
7. Passionate about entrepreneurship and building a new business.
8. Analysis skills: able to analyse data, advance working knowledge of MS Office Suite.

Diversity & Inclusivity

SC Ventures is committed to diversity and inclusion. By providing equal opportunities we foster a work environment which embraces diversity and gets the best out of the broadest spectrum of people to sustain business performance and competitive advantage. We build an inclusive culture by demonstrating respect for each other’s unique strengths and perspectives to enable every employee to develop a sense of belonging and have the opportunity to maximise their potential.