About the Role
We are looking for an SME Lending Operations Specialist to manage end-to-end SME lending operations within our growing lending business. This role encompasses customer onboarding, loan disbursements, repayment management, reconciliation, and ongoing loan servicing. The ideal candidate will possess a strong knowledge of SME lending products, hands-on experience with loan management systems, and an understanding of lending operational processes and regulatory requirements, particularly in the UAE or wider GCC region.
As part of a growing fintech ecosystem, we seek a digitally savvy professional who can leverage technology, AI, and automation to enhance operational efficiency, streamline processes, and support the scalability of our lending operations.
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Responsibilities
- Manage end-to-end SME lending operations, covering customer onboarding, loan disbursements, repayment scheduling, loan servicing, and closure.
- Coordinate loan onboarding activities, including documentation, verification, account setup, and operational checks, ensuring compliance with internal policies and regulatory requirements.
- Oversee loan disbursement processes, ensuring accurate and timely execution in accordance with established turnaround times (TATs).
- Manage loan repayment schedules, payment allocations, early settlements, loan adjustments, and ongoing servicing activities through loan management systems (LMS).
- Perform loan-related reconciliations, investigate discrepancies, and collaborate with Finance to ensure accurate transaction records, ledger entries, and reporting.
- Monitor loan repayment performance, overdue accounts, and relevant portfolio indicators, coordinating with Credit Risk and Collections teams to support timely resolution of issues.
- Maintain accurate lending records and operational reports, providing management with visibility into disbursements, repayments, outstanding balances, and operational performance.
- Identify opportunities to streamline lending workflows, reduce manual intervention, and improve operational accuracy through digital tools, AI, and automation.
- Collaborate with Product and Technology teams on loan management system enhancements, process improvements, user acceptance testing (UAT), and the implementation of new lending functionalities.
- Ensure lending operations comply with applicable CBUAE regulations, AML/CFT requirements, internal policies, and audit standards.
- Work closely with Credit Risk, Finance, Compliance, Collections, and other internal stakeholders to ensure efficient operational execution and continuous process improvement.
Requirements
- 3–5 years of relevant experience in SME lending operations, credit operations, or loan servicing within a bank, fintech, or financial services organisation, preferably in the UAE or wider GCC region.
- Strong hands-on experience managing SME lending operations across both onboarding and post-onboarding activities.
- Sound understanding of SME lending products, including working capital financing, term loans, revolving credit facilities, and related business lending solutions.
- Practical experience working with loan management systems (LMS) and a strong understanding of loan disbursements, repayment scheduling, servicing, settlements, and reconciliation processes.
- Good understanding of loan accounting, ledger reconciliation, credit monitoring, and operational reporting.
- Familiarity with UAE lending regulations, AML/CFT guidelines, and relevant compliance and audit requirements.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, excellent attention to detail, and the ability to identify and resolve operational discrepancies.
- Digitally savvy with the ability to leverage AI, automation tools, and emerging technologies to improve operational workflows, reporting, and efficiency.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and experience working with lending data, operational reports, and financial reconciliations.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across multiple business functions.
- Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, technology-driven fintech environment.
