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 (www.ibsintelligence.com), 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.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
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.
QUALIFICATIONS
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.