Engagement Manager - Financial Services (Arabic Speaker)

COMPANY DESCRIPTION

Cedar is a Forbes ranked global management consulting firm with a heritage closely associated with the founders of the Balanced Scorecard. Since 1985, Cedar's teams have been assisting clients in areas of strategy, process, strategic human capital, and technology, with a strong focus on the financial services sector. Cedar's group unit, IBS Intelligence (), based in the UK, has been the definitive source for research, news-analysis and advisory specialized in Financial Technology markets for over 30 years. Cedar Hill Capital is an independent FinTech venture capital fund with a sharp lens on B2B FinTech and Financial Services-infrastructure companies. The Innovation Lab in Dubai and Mumbai brings banks and suppliers together with an opportunity to access the relevant Middle East and India market opportunity.

ROLE DESCRIPTION: ENGAGEMENT MANAGER (DUBAI)

This is a full-time, on-site role based in Dubai. The Engagement Manager (Arabic Speaker) will manage consulting engagements end-to-end, ensuring timely, high-quality deliverables and strong client relationships. Working closely with Principal/Associate Director and Director-level colleagues, the Engagement Manager leads work streams, supervises junior team members, and serves as a day-to-day point of contact for client counterparts. The successful candidate will thrive in a collaborative, multicultural environment with a strong focus on execution, structured problem-solving, and organized project management.

1. Engagement Delivery & Project Management

• Manage the day-to-day delivery of consulting engagements, coordinating work streams and keeping projects on time and on scope.

• Identify emerging risks within engagements and escalate appropriately, proposing solutions.

• Prepare and deliver client presentations, reports, and workshop materials to a high standard.

2. Client Relationship Management

• Maintain regular communication with client counterparts and support senior stakeholder interactions alongside Directors.

• Build trusted relationships with client teams, ensuring smooth project execution and measurable value delivery.

3. Analytical & Problem-Solving Leadership

• Lead structured problem-solving exercises, develop analytical frameworks, and synthesize findings into clear, client-ready outputs.

• Translate data and analysis into insights and recommendations that drive client decision-making.

4. Team Leadership & Coaching

• Supervise and coach Consultants and Interns, providing real-time feedback and ensuring the quality of their work.

• Contribute to a high-performance team culture through active mentorship and knowledge sharing.

5. Practice & Knowledge Development

• Contribute to internal knowledge management and practice development initiatives as the team grows.

• Support thought leadership and internal capability-building efforts.

• MBA or relevant postgraduate qualification preferred.
  
• 4–7 years of experience, with at least 3 years in management consulting in a financial services context.
  
• Fluency in Arabic and English is mandatory.
  
• Solid understanding of the financial services sector — experience across banking, insurance, asset management, or related areas.
  
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple work streams and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
  
• Proven ability to structure and communicate complex analysis clearly, both in writing and in presentations.
  
• Experience managing junior team members and delivering feedback effectively.
  
• High attention to detail, intellectual curiosity, and a drive to produce excellent work.
  
• Experience in or exposure to the GCC or broader Middle East market is advantageous.
  
• Willingness to travel regionally as required.