On graduating from the MBA in 2009, Alexandra joined the Management Associate Program with Citibank in Bucharest, Romania.
“I wanted to change industry after my MBA and this role with Citi’ gave me in-depth knowledge of consumer banking as the franchise in Romania was just launching,” says Alexandra. “The programme gives a broad overview of banking and at the end of its two year duration I will take up a management position with Citibank.”
Following the recent launch of its smart banking branches in New York, Tokyo, Singapore and Hong Kong, Citibank opened the first digitised bank branch in EMEA in Bucharest. As part of the Management Associate Program, Alexandra recently coordinated the launch of the first smart-branch in EMEA. “My background in technology really helped in successfully delivering the smart-branch project,” she says. “It means I am able to address the changing needs of the customer in the digital age.” The branch features state-of-the-art technology, such as: videophone, Citibank Online terminal, electronic sales wall, media wall, dual-currency ATM, iPads with interactive brochures presenting Citibank products and services.
Piloting such pioneering projects is something Alexandra is used to doing. In the second year of her BSc in Computer Science and Engineering at Romania’s prestigious Polytechnic University in Bucharest, she began work as a PR & Marketing Assistant in a privately owned Romanian IT company. Here, she moved on to a role as Business Analyst and later CRM Project Manager. “This role proved very challenging as it involved developing the strategy to introduce the Romanian market to Microsoft CRM, which was little-known at that time.”
“I benefited from the exceptional opportunities presented by the emerging Romanian market, having the chance to work in demanding IT projects prior to starting my MBA,” says Alexandra. She decided to do an MBA to further her experience, and chose Saïd Business School for its blend of academic excellence and practical business innovation. “Simply talking with my colleagues allowed me to gain a wide understanding of different cultures and business practices,” she says. Alexandra believes that the MBA gave her the means to change industries, and that the programme has equipped her with the tools to understand consumer banking. “Areas of the MBA, like Financial Modelling and Strategy have helped a lot as I work closely with strategy team at Citibank and also focus on business development,” she says. “The MBA gave me an overview. I know what’s what within different sectors of banking now, and feel confident that I add valuable insights into the process I am working on.” Alexandra has also found that she can successfully apply areas of the course that are not directly related to consumer banking.
“Retail, for example, basically teaches you how to get to the consumer. These principles can be lent to the banking environment and teach us how to position ourselves.” This innovative thinking and her work on the digitised bank branch in Bucharest got the attention of senior staff at Citibank, and Alexandra was offered an assignment in London, working with the EMEA CEO of Consumer Banking in a chief of staff role. “I really like the culture of Citibank,” says Alexandra. “I feel I joined at the right time and I am here to pursue a career.” Alexandra will start a permanent position with the bank the end of the year.