Senior Lead, Open API & Open Banking

About the role

First Abu Dhabi Bank is looking for a Senior Lead to define and lead the strategic vision for Open API and Open Banking services across the enterprise. The role focuses on breaking down legacy systems into modular, reusable APIs, fostering third-party collaboration and ensuring compliance with Open Banking regulations. It drives platform modernization, developer enablement and cross-functional alignment to accelerate digital transformation.

Key responsibilities

• Align API initiatives with enterprise architecture, data strategy and reusable adoption goals.
• Establish metrics and KPIs to measure API performance, adoption and business impact.
• Lead the development and lifecycle management of Open APIs in compliance with Open Banking standards such as PSD2 and UAE Central Bank guidelines.
• Work with product, compliance and architecture teams to define API strategies supporting business capabilities and customer journeys.
• Champion API-first design, making APIs reusable, secure and developer-friendly.
• Enable third-party integrations and fintech partnerships to grow Open Banking ecosystems.
• Maintain API documentation, sandbox environments and developer portals, keeping APIs discoverable, version-controlled and aligned with enterprise standards.
• Provide technical leadership to API engineering teams and maintain delivery roadmaps, capacity planning and resource forecasting.
• Ensure compliance with IT governance, security and regulatory frameworks, and promote DevSecOps, CI/CD and test automation.

Required profile

• Overall 12+ years of experience, with 8+ years in banking.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage complex stakeholder environments.
• Strong communication, leadership and mentoring skills.

Required skills

• Deep understanding of Open Banking frameworks, API security (OAuth2, OpenID Connect) and regulatory compliance.
• Experience with API management platforms such as Apigee, Kong and WSO2.
• RESTful API design, JSON, Swagger/OpenAPI specifications.
• Familiarity with domain-driven design and microservices architecture.
• API analytics, usage tracking and performance optimization.
• Tools such as API Management, Kong, Cloud Native Services and Kubernetes.