Emerging Markets Lead – MENA (Arabic speaking)

Column is a bank and software company built from the ground up, offering builders and developers technology-forward banking solutions. As Column’s Emerging Markets Lead, you will spearhead one of its most strategic international expansion initiatives, responsible for driving 0-to-1 growth for a new banking product, with a particular focus on building and nurturing relationships with prospective partners and customers in MENA markets. This role combines global expansion strategy, business development with hands-on relationship management, and is based in Dubai with regular travel throughout the region and occasional travel to Column’s headquarters in San Francisco.

Responsibilities

Lead regional market development: Own the end-to-end process of identifying, evaluating, and executing on high-value partnerships with banks across a number of international markets; Build and maintain key relationships: Serve as the primary relationship owner for prospective and existing customers, conducting regular in-person meetings, attending local industry events, and managing ongoing partnership development; Own partnership execution: Lead complex deal processes from initial outreach through contract signature, working collaboratively with Column’s Legal, Compliance, and Product teams; Develop market intelligence: Gather and synthesize insights on local market conditions, regulatory developments, competitive landscape, and customer needs to inform Column’s regional strategy; Market expertise and network: Become an expert on the correspondent banking space in our key emerging markets and build an extensive network within their banking and fintech ecosystems; Drive operational excellence: Build scalable processes for onboarding, relationship management, and ongoing support that can be replicated as we expand

Requirements

6+ years of experience in partnerships, business development, growth, operations or strategy in a high-caliber environment; 4+ years of business experience specifically in MENA; Native fluency in Arabic and experience managing business relationships with Arabic-speaking clients and stakeholders; Track record of successfully managing complex partnerships and high-value deals with executive stakeholders; Natural networker who thrives on building trust and long-term relationships with senior executives, market experts and decision-makers; Strong strategic thinking - ability to assess market opportunities, evaluate potential partners, and provide strategic recommendations to senior leadership; Hyper-organized approach to project management, including coordinating efforts across multiple teams; comfort juggling multiple projects and priorities is critical; Scrappy, roll-up-your-sleeves attitude - we thrive because we work harder, are more creative, and have zero ego when it comes to getting our hands dirty to build a business