At Work at Goldman Sachs: Rashid, Managing Director, Engineering

Tell us about your journey at the firm.

I am originally from Sudan in northeast Africa. After completing my undergraduate degree at the University of Khartoum, I was fortunate enough to win a Chevening Scholarship to do a master’s degree at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom — this was back in the days when their application form had to be filled by hand and sent by mail that took weeks!

My first job in the UK was interning at a small startup of about 25 people, doing performance testing for a prototype gigabit network card. I then joined Accenture as a graduate in technology consulting where I spent just over three years working on projects in the financial services sector.

I joined the Goldman’s London office in 2009 as an associate in prime services technology, known back in the days as Global Securities Services. I was able to hop between different business lines including fund admin, prime brokerage, and futures. During that time, I developed a passion for thinking about commonalities and started advocating for investing in platforms to reduce duplication and accelerate time to market. This led to my role in forming a small team in prime services called the Client Engineering team that created common tools for web applications.

In 2013, I had the opportunity to become one of the first members of the in-house Marquee team tasked with creating a state-of-the-art digital interface for the firm’s institutional clients. This was an exciting opportunity that allowed me to work on both Marquee’s core services as well as building web applications for pre-trade analysis, stock hedging, and real-time order monitoring. Eventually, I ended up in Core Engineering, where I currently sit.

What are some of your main responsibilities and goals in your current position?

Today I look after the firm’s web and mobile platforms used by teams across the firm to develop, deploy and maintain employee and client-facing applications. We focus on delivering solutions that different parts of the firm can pick up to benefit their use case, while also ensuring that we have the right controls and efficiencies in place. In addition, I manage the Core Engineering User Experience team and some of the firm’s productivity tools such as Digital Assistant.

I also oversee the Executive Office’s “front-to-back” engineering organization that delivers business-enabling solutions across Internal Communications, Global Marketing, Corporate Engagement, amongst others and maintains apps such as GSWeb, GS.com, Managing Director Biographies, GS Gives, and 10,000 Small Businesses.

My days are split between engaging stakeholders – users of various platforms and applications across divisions – as well as running a team of around 100 people, with a focus on sharing a client-centric vision, providing guidance and driving key objectives. The role requires a healthy amount of forward planning, such as writing memos by working backwards from the needs of our “customers” – our internal stakeholders, managing expectations carefully, budgeting, and working on related planning documents, in addition to of course ensuring diligent execution.

What is your favorite part of your role? What are some of the top skills you have been able to develop at the firm?

My current role gives me an opportunity to solve common challenges across divisions, something I have always enjoyed doing.

In terms of skills, I think I have developed a strong approach to stakeholder engagement, as well as being able to resist short-term thinking, bring down siloes, and articulate that vision in a compelling fashion.

The firm also gave me a platform to learn how to manage teams at scale and adopt a listen-first mindset. I try to lead by example in the solutions I am putting together by advocating for a sustainable approach, a cross-divisional view, and a strong focus on risk management.

What makes working at the firm special?

There are plenty of workplaces with great people, but in my experience the level of dedication and motivation, the caliber of excellence we see here at Goldman Sachs, is truly differentiated. I really enjoy working with super-smart people who are also motivated and driven to do their best every single day.

I found GS instills in you a strong sense of ownership from day one and there is an emphasis on building lasting relationships with people. At other places I have worked, the experience often felt more transactional.

Are you involved in any other initiatives or programs at the firm?

I have co-led the EMEA Black Engineers Network for multiple years before stepping down to join its executive steering group. The network is instrumental in fostering a sense of belonging to the firm. Additionally, I am the managing director sponsor of the Engineering Black Analyst and Associate Initiative.

What do you like to do when you're not at work?

I love doing DIY projects at home; I built a conservatory including laying foundations (for those outside the UK, a conservatory is a room with glass walls and a glass roof typically built on the side of a house), renovated a bathroom, installed both real and fake turf, and did many repairs on cars I used to own before engines became all too complex!

I also enjoy cycling (including to work). I love music and occasionally play the piano (I was featured on an obscure radio show back in Khartoum!).  I enjoy barbecuing with friends, weightlifting and general fitness, and of course traveling as much I can.

Most importantly, I love spending time with my family – we have a boy who is five and a girl who is three – and they definitely keep us busy in addition to providing a masterclass in negotiation tactics!