About the Role
This position involves formulating and executing the organizational strategy to build the Financial Institutions (FI) business across the Eastern and Southern African markets. The role requires a strong focus on developing client relationships, identifying opportunities, and ensuring risk compliance, all while driving business growth and value.
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Key Responsibilities
- Develop, lead, and implement business and client strategies that maximize value while managing the organization’s risk appetite and capabilities.
- Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with decision-makers in regional financial institutions.
- Anticipate client needs and collaborate with relevant product partners to deliver appropriate solutions.
- Work closely with country teams to identify and pursue untapped FI opportunities.
- Provide guidance to product partners to focus on economically viable clients and business opportunities.
- Build connections with end importers, exporters, and traders to optimize trade corridors between Eastern and Southern African markets and the company booking locations.
- Stay informed about market dynamics to capitalize on opportunities within Trade, Cash Management, Treasury, Capital Markets, and Sovereigns.
- Promote a business ethos emphasizing cross-selling, long-term relationship development, and appropriate returns.
- Monitor market, regulatory, competitive dynamics, and industry conditions affecting portfolio performance.
- Achieve financial and non-financial objectives set by the organization.
- Drive targeted asset growth and facilitate cross-selling initiatives.
- Establish expertise in Trade, Cash Management, and Transactional Client Management (TCM).
- Implement credit controls and periodic reviews to maintain portfolio quality in line with the organization’s policies and regulatory directives.
- Ensure compliance with internal and external audit requirements to maintain satisfactory ratings.
- Provide leadership and guidance to unit members and other related teams, including the Credit Analysis team.
- Collaborate with senior colleagues in Corporate Investment Banking Group (CIBG) and Institutional Banking Group (IBG) to ensure buy-in and support for the FI strategy.
- Maintain an effective operating environment by overseeing both line and support functions.
- Lead cultural and value initiatives to set a positive tone across the Africa and Levant FI team.
- Assist Regional Head in preparing strategy and client planning presentations and reports.
- Prepare high quality, effective transactional write-ups, client memos, and briefing notes suitable for C-Suite review.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
- Extensive client relationships within the in-scope client sub-segments.
- Proven team leadership experience.
- Strong knowledge of FI credit, legal aspects, marketing skills, and portfolio management.
- Comprehensive awareness of FI commercial banking products.
- Deep understanding of local markets and the regulatory environment.
- Excellent leadership qualities, including strong communication skills.
- Strong analytical skills.
- Ability to work as a team player and coach others.
- Minimum of 7 years of regional FI banking experience.
- Strong preference for a postgraduate qualification.
- Well-connected with traders, importers, and exporters to leverage trade corridors between Eastern and Southern African markets and the company booking locations.
