Partnership Manager - Merchant Partnerships & Loyalty

Job Title: Partnership Manager - Merchant Partnerships & Loyalty

Term: 12 months

Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE

Division: Card Issuing Bank

Reports to: TBC

PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT

The position holder will be responsible for driving strategic merchant relationships and loyalty initiatives for a leading card issuer. We are seeking a dynamic and results-oriented Partnership Manager to lead the sourcing, management, and optimisation of merchant partnerships and loyalty programs for our card issuing bank in the United Arab Emirates. The ideal candidate will play a pivotal role in expanding our merchant network, enhancing customer value propositions, and driving cardholder engagement through innovative loyalty initiatives

Core Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

• Identify, negotiate, and onboard new merchant partners across diverse sectors, ensuring alignment with the banks strategic objectives and customer needs
• Build and maintain strong, long-term relationships with existing merchant partners, acting as the primary point of contact and ensuring high levels of satisfaction and collaboration
• Design, implement, and optimize loyalty programs and offers, leveraging merchant partnerships to create compelling value propositions for cardholders
• Conduct market research to identify emerging trends, competitive offerings, and new partnership opportunities within the UAE and broader GCC region
• Track and analyse the effectiveness of merchant partnerships and loyalty initiatives, using data driven insights to refine strategies and maximize impact
• Work closely with product, marketing, risk, and compliance teams to ensure seamless execution of partnership and loyalty initiatives
• Lead negotiations with merchants to secure favourable terms, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and alignment with bank policies
• Continuously seek opportunities to enrich the cardholder experience through exclusive offers, rewards, and merchant-driven benefits

Knowledge and Experience:

• Bachelors degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Finance, or related field; MBA is a plus
• Minimum 5 years of experience in partnership management, merchant acquisition, or loyalty program management within banking, payments, or fintech sectors
• Deep understanding of the UAE retail, hospitality, and e-commerce landscapes
• Proven track record of negotiating and managing high-value partnerships
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills
• Strong analytical skills and proficiency in data-driven decision making

Mandatory Skills:

• Previous experience within Banking, Payment & Card solutions or the FinTech industry
• Able to analyse complex information, anticipate risks and opportunities, and make decisions that balance long-term strategy with commercial outcomes
• Adept at fostering strong, trust-based relationships across all levels. Skilled in understanding stakeholder needs, managing expectations, and navigating diverse perspectives to drive collaboration and shared outcomes
• Able to negotiate effectively, gain buy-in from stakeholders, and drive agreement even in complex or high-pressure situations

Preferred Skills:

• Project management and the ability to multitask
• Fluency in English required; Arabic language skills preferred
• Cultural awareness and adaptability