Head: Credit Risk - Business and Commercial Banking

Job Description

To lead the Credit Risk function for the Business and Commercial Banking (BCB) business unit (BU) in country, ensuring effective credit risk management across the entire credit lifecycle. To implement the BU's credit strategy in alignment with country-level credit objectives, risk appetite, and regulatory requirements, while supporting sustainable business growth and maintaining a high-quality credit portfolio.

Qualifications

Education

• First Degree in Business Commerce, Finance and Accounting, Generic Management or Risk Management
• Postgraduate in Degree in Business Commerce, Finance and Accounting, Generic Management or Risk Management (Advantageous)

Experience

• This role requires a seasoned leader and expert in Risk management with extensive knowledge of the entire credit lifecycle across a broad set of sectors and products.   
• Experience with structuring, assessing and managing credit exposures related to structured property transactions and development projects within the  Real Estate Finance and the property sector would be advantageous. 
• Proven ability to manage stressed and distressed clients, with a track record of implementing effective risk mitigation strategies, negotiating restructuring solutions, and safeguarding the bank’s interests, while maintaining client relationships.
• Minimum 5 years People Leadership experience at a Senior organisational level, with a focus on talent management, resourcing, development and retention.
• Regulatory environment savvy, a proven track record in large scale and high-level leadership and proactively develop and manage relationships with key internal and external stakeholders and external legal counsel, relevant to the business strategy. Ability to build and develop relationships across the bank with various stakeholders, with the intention of breaking down silos to maximise business growth.
• 8-10 years’ Experience in managing credit origination (both intuitive and automated) and credit operations, with an ability to handle all aspects of client engagement, including coordinating and execution of transactions.

Key Outputs

• Lead a team of credit risk professionals to deliver proactive risk identification, robust portfolio management, and regulatory compliance, while fostering a strong proactive risk culture and developing talent through coaching and mentorship of all stakeholders.
• Monitor and analyse the external environment (including economic, regulatory, and industry factors) conduct horizon scanning to identify emerging credit risks and support the Business Unit's strategies.
• Implement a comprehensive Credit Risk Management framework for the Business Unit, aligned with the organisation's overall risk appetite and strategic objectives.
• Conduct regular portfolio reviews to identify trends, concentrations, and potential vulnerabilities, implementing corrective actions as directed.
• Tracking and managing key performance indicators (KPIs) including stage 2 and 3 names, the credit loss and other pertinent ratios to ensure optimal portfolio performance, identify emerging risks, and assess the effectiveness of credit risk controls across the entire credit risk lifecycle.
• Maintain and implement BU-specific credit policies and procedures, ensuring alignment with country-level standards and regulatory requirements, allowing local adaption for compliance, regulatory, legal and market needs.
• Drive the annual credit risk planning process for the Business Unit within a specific country by contributing to the establishment of clear goals, objectives, and performance metrics.
• Chair the BCB Credit Committee and at times the Watchlist and NPL committees, consisting of Exco members for approval in a professional manner.
• Sponsor and credit applications into higher credit committees and forums
• Identify and drive change within Credit and the Business by initiating and owning change projects.

Additional Information

Behavioural Competencies:

• Developing Expertise  
• Challenging Ideas        
• Convincing People       
• Developing Strategies
• Directing People
• Building Relationships

Technical Competencies:

• Economic and Regulatory Capital Management
• Provision assessment 
• Evaluating Risk Management Effectiveness     
• Risk Acceptance, Awareness, Identification and Management             
• Debt Capacity modelling proficiency
• PD/LGD/EAD understanding and application through rating methodologies
• Collateral valuation, legal perfection and Security package design
• Intercreditor & priority structures
• Covenant architecture
• Counterparty credibility assessment, including Pre-sale, Lease & tenant analysis

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