CRO - Business Manager APAC and MEA

Details of the Division and Team:

The Business Manager sits within ICOO and acts as a key partner to the Chief Risk Office (CRO) APAC and MEA regional management team. The role supports effective financial, operational, regulatory and people management across a complex region spanning approximately 25 countries and multiple local regulators. Based in Singapore, it provides senior business management support to the Chief Risk Officer for APAC and MEA and the wider leadership team, translating regional strategy into disciplined execution, with a specific focus on cost management and financial planning, as well as headcount management, travel management and relevant management reporting and regional specific initiatives. The role requires regional awareness and the ability to operate confidently across global risk functions, country CROs, regional management, Finance, HR, Compliance, Legal and other infrastructure partners.

What we will offer you:         

A healthy, engaged and well-supported workforce is better equipped to do their best work and, more importantly, enjoy their lives inside and outside the workplace. That’s why we are committed to providing an environment with your development and wellbeing at its center.

You can expect:

• Flexible benefits plan including virtual doctor consultation services
• Comprehensive leave benefits
• Gender Neutral Parental Leave
• Hybrid working arrangement

• 25 days of annual paid leave, plus public holiday
• A culture of continuous learning to aid progression

Your key responsibilities:

• Manage the regional budget cycle, including planning, forecasting, cost challenge, variance analysis and senior management reporting for CRO APAC and MEA.
• Maintain oversight of cost performance across run-the-bank, change-the-bank and strategic investment activity, ensuring transparency, accountability and timely escalation of risks or opportunities.
• Coordinate and challenge DBCM allocation inputs, cost centre integrity, allocation drivers and regional Finance outputs to ensure accurate and explainable regional cost management.
• Oversee regional workforce planning, including FTE forecasts, hiring pipeline, vacancy tracking, attrition, contingent workers, location strategy and capacity constraints.
• Coordinate business management activity across approximately 25 countries, recognising the different legal entity, branch, regulatory and governance requirements across APAC and MEA.
• Support CRO/CRCs with the operating rhythm required to deliver regional priorities and strategic initiatives.
• Partner with HR, Talent Acquisition and regional managers to ensure hiring requests are well governed, properly prioritised and aligned to budget, location strategy, regulatory expectations and business need.
• Support annual people processes including performance management, compensation, promotion, talent review, succession planning and mandatory HR governance steps for the region.
• Provide input into regulatory engagement, regulatory adherence, regulatory submissions, internal audit, external audit and findings management in support of the CRO APAC & MEA Regulatory team and DCO.
• Coordinate management reporting for regional governance forums, including clear articulation of risks, issues, dependencies, decisions required and progress against agreed priorities.
• Support regional transformation and efficiency initiatives, including process simplification, automation, AI-enabled use cases and changes to the APAC and MEA operating model.
• Act as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders by providing high-quality analysis, judgement, challenge and practical recommendations on regional management topics.

Your skills and experience:

• Minimum 3 years of experience in Business Management, COO, Finance, or PMO role
• Minimum 5 years of experience working within large, complex financial institutions.
• Financial literacy: budgeting and forecasting, headcount modelling, business case building.
• Familiarity with workforce planning and HR lifecycle processes and tooling.
• Proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, and management reporting tools.
• Exceptional stakeholder management with ability to influence senior leaders.
• High level of organisation, discipline, and strong attention to detail.
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, high‑expectation environment with shifting priorities.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Operates with discretion and sound judgement when handling confidential information.
• Proven ability to leverage AI tools to enhance productivity, optimise workflows to solve business problems, while applying critical judgment to ensure responsible and ethical use of data and AI outputs.

About us and our teams:

Deutsche Bank is the leading German bank with strong European roots and a global network. click here to see what we do.

Deutsche Bank & Diversity

We strive for a culture in which we are empowered to excel together every day. This includes acting responsibly, thinking commercially, taking initiative and working collaboratively.

Together we share and celebrate the successes of our people. Together we are Deutsche Bank Group.

We welcome applications from all people and promote a positive, fair and inclusive work environment.