Omer Afzal
Head New Initiatives - Digital & Payment Products
H#8, St#34, Korang Town,Islamabad
Summary
A financial services professional with more than 20 years of multi segment experience in managing innovative products and life cycles, portfolio optimization, increasing customer engagement over electronic Channels, Alliances with FinTechs for discounts & payment method enablement, end-to-end project management, managing large sales force for optimum performance and conducting internal & external training sessions. Recognized consistently for performance excellence and contributions.A Self Starter with the bias towards action to manage results.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
3
3
Certifications
Work History
Head New Initiatives - Digital & Payment Products
Askari Bank Limited
Islamabad
05.2015 - Current
- Develop & present Business Use-cases to remain industry competitive.
- Alliances with Fintechs/Payment Schemes for Payment Methods, Discounts & Loyalty programs, New/Value Added services
- Participate for continuous improvement by generating suggestions, engaging in problem-solving activities to support teamwork.
- Market analysis and evaluation of trends to create go-to-market strategy
- Manage Launch milestones in collaboration with stakeholders
- Stake holder engagement to execute product launches
- Lead projects and analyze data to identify opportunities for improvement
- Strategic Planning and preparation of annual budget – Capex & Opex
- Commercial Negotiation with vendors/merchants
- Ensure smooth Internal & External Audits
- Identify & Manage compliance of regulatory requirements
- Arrange Management & regulatory approvals for new product launches
Head Product Development & Operations - ADCs
Askari Bank
Islamabad
03.2013 - 05.2015
- Idea generation, product design and enhancements
- Conduct analysis for competitiveness, market share, brand equity etc.
- Conduct gap analysis to improve product & services
- Arrange Management & SBP (Regulator) approvals for new product launches
- Track performance against budget.
- Ensure compliance of all regulatory requirements
- Strategic alliances for product differentiation & competitiveness
- Settlement & Reconciliation of GLs
- Card Production & system enhancements
- Create plans and communicate deadlines to ensure projects are completed on time.
Vice President - Internal Control
Askari Bank Limited
Islamabad
03.2011 - 02.2013
- Develop/Update Control Verification Charts
- Vet new product & services
- Report risky exceptions to Audit for investigation
- Monitor effectiveness of control environment through Risk Reviews
- Coordinate with stake holders for preparation of Management Action Plans
National Sales Manager - Credit Cards
Askari Bank Limited
Islamabad
11.2007 - 03.2011
- Met with customers to give sales presentations, negotiate contracts and promote services.
- Managed Large Sales Force (approx 1000 sales staff county wide)
- Conducted and ensured continuous training of Sales staff
- Prepared and presented business plan to the management
- Executed sales strategies to meet short term & long term objectives
- Developed compensation structures & incentive programs for staff motivation
- Coordinated with stake holders for optimum results.
- Conducted Interviews for new positions and staff replacement
- Established and maintained budgets and regional territories for team members to drive consistent growth.
Head TeleSales Department
ABN AMRO Bank
Karachi
10.2007 - 10.2007
- Created spreadsheets using Microsoft Excel for daily, weekly and monthly reporting.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
- Managed team of 100 employees, overseeing hiring, training, and professional growth of employees.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and fast-paced atmosphere.
National Sales Manager - Credit Cards
Askari Bank Limited
Islamabad
02.2007 - 09.2007
Regional Head Sales - Mutual Funds
JS Investments (JS ABAMCO)
Lahore
10.2006 - 02.2007
- Raised Seed Money for the Capital Protection Fund
- Maintained & Established new contacts
- Hiried & Trained the Sales Staff for optimum productivity
- Met business objectives in terms of Sales and Profitability
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and fast-paced atmosphere.
National Sales Manager - Corporate Cards AMEX
Union Bank Limited
Karachi
01.2004 - 09.2006
- Maintained & established new Key Accounts
- Developed and presented Business proposals
- Ensured personalized customer support 24/7
- Hired Team Of Relationship Managers for efficient services
- Planned and Conducted Knowledge Transfer sessions
- Ensure Regulatory Compliance
- Trained and developed exceptional sales leaders.
- Liaised with marketing and product development departments to maintain brand consistency.
- Drafted comprehensive sales plans and approved budget expenditures to meet project goals.
Restaurant General Manager
McDonald's Pakistan
Lahore
03.1998 - 01.2004
- Developed 3-1-Q strategic planning for the single restaurant.
- Ensured100% Total Customer Satisfaction (TCS)
- Motivated staff through healthy competition
- Shoulder to Shoulder Training to improve productivity
- Built and leveraged community relationships to drive business
- Analyzed variances and implemented corrective actions to manage cost for enhanced profiablity
- Set clear expectations and created positive working environment for employees.
- Achieved highest employee retention rate & profitability in region.
- Created and deployed successful strategies to boost restaurant performance, streamline food prep processes and reduce waste.
Education
Master of Arts - Economics
Punjab University
Lahore 01.1995 - 01.1996
MBA Executive - Marketing
Global Institute
Lahore 12.1997 - 02.1998
Skills
Leadership & Management
Analytical Thinking
Flexibility & Team Player
Communication & Presentation
Problem Solving Attitude
Computer - Microsoft Office
Certification
Certified Trainer - GEM Learning
Accomplishments
Successfully Launched
- RAAST - Micro Payment Gateway (Bulk & P2P Payments)
- Mobile Banking Application Upgrade – New UI/UX
- Internet Banking Upgrade
- SMS Banking
- Online Ticket Purchases – Bus, Airline, Cinema & Events
- QR, Virtual Card and HCE (Tap n Pay) payments
- Alliances with Fintechs for Discounts & Loyalty
- Alliances with PSO/PSP for Payment Method enablement
- Cardless Cash Withdrawal at AKBL ATM Network
- PayPak–Pakistan’s First Domestic Payment Scheme
- UnionPay Debit Cards – EMV & NFC enabled
- Two Way SMS portal for lead generation /feedback
- Corporate Credit Card Program
Academics
- Gold Medal being the Best Student in MBA
- Best Presenter Award in MBA
- Best Student Award in MA Economics
- Hot Hamburger Award winner in Region Dubai
- Gold Hat Award (the best contributing member)
- Wheel of knowledge Award winner in Malaysia
Timeline
Head New Initiatives - Digital & Payment Products
Askari Bank Limited
05.2015 - Current
Head Product Development & Operations - ADCs
Askari Bank
03.2013 - 05.2015
Vice President - Internal Control
Askari Bank Limited
03.2011 - 02.2013
National Sales Manager - Credit Cards
Askari Bank Limited
11.2007 - 03.2011
Head TeleSales Department
ABN AMRO Bank
10.2007 - 10.2007
National Sales Manager - Credit Cards
Askari Bank Limited
02.2007 - 09.2007
Regional Head Sales - Mutual Funds
JS Investments (JS ABAMCO)
10.2006 - 02.2007
National Sales Manager - Corporate Cards AMEX
Union Bank Limited
01.2004 - 09.2006
Restaurant General Manager
McDonald's Pakistan
03.1998 - 01.2004
MBA Executive - Marketing
Global Institute
12.1997 - 02.1998
Master of Arts - Economics
Punjab University
01.1995 - 01.1996