Senior Research Analyst
06-2015 - 06-2017 Project / Product management Operations Transformation for a leading bank in United Arab Emirates
- Designed a new operating model with a shared services layer, improving operational efficiency by 15%
- Re-developed the bank’s processes & identified technology requirements to align with the new model
- Overhauled staffing model across all departments, reducing costs by 10%
- Realigned roles & responsibilities, freeing up 45% of Relationship Manager’s time for greater selling
- Devised a phased transition plan for implementation and change management
Branch & ATM Distribution Strategy for a leading bank in United Arab Emirates
- Calculated the optimal number of branches & ATMs for the bank using industry benchmarks
- Formulated a market model of the UAE by splitting it into ~100 “micro markets” and shortlisting them based on population, retail & traffic indicators, rental index and competitor banks’ penetration
- Evaluated the bank’s current branches & ATMs and designed the ideal location distribution, increasing operating income from branches by 20%
PMO for a Core Banking Implementation in a leading bank in United Arab Emirates
- Led project management team for monitoring overall timelines (core banking system & 40+ surround application integrations) across UAT, Performance Testing & Data Migration work streams
- Saved ~$6Mn for the bank by realigning the project to shorter timelines
- Developed a cutover plan with only 2 hours’ downtime for customers
- Presented regular status updates to the project leads and the bank’s CEO & COO
Growth Strategy for a large pizza chain in United Arab Emirates
- Designed a strategy for expansion across the MENA region
- Determined costs, partners, and logistics for online ordering, delivery and potential marketing channels
- Identified the optimal locations for restaurant placement and created a model for ideal staffing
Market Study for the Italian Trade Agency in Chicago, USA
- Executed a study on the Leather & Footwear industry in USA, speaking to market leaders
- Identified innovations in the industry as well as sources of investment in the market