Vice President and Head of Program Lending - Business Banking Group
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Key skills for this role
About the Role
About the Role: As Head of Program Lending within the Business Banking Group, you’ll lead the design, development, and execution of scalable, risk-aligned credit programs tailored for SME customers.
Key Skills for This Role
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About The Role
As Head of Program Lending within the Business Banking Group, you’ll lead the design, development, and execution of scalable, risk-aligned credit programs tailored for SME customers.
This role is pivotal in driving financial inclusion, enabling credit growth, and expanding RAKBANK’s reach across diverse SME segments.
You’ll work cross-functionally to build lending solutions that are commercially viable, digitally enabled, and compliant with regulatory standards, and report directly to the Head of Business Banking Products.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Define and execute the program lending strategy aligned with business growth and risk appetite.
- Identify SME segments and design sector-specific credit programs (e.g., supplier finance, microfinance).
- Build partnerships with anchor corporates, fintechs, and government agencies.
- Collaborate with Credit, Risk, Data, and Tech teams to build underwriting and eligibility models.
- Digitize end-to-end lending journeys from onboarding to servicing.
- Integrate lending solutions into digital platforms and servicing channels.
- Own lending targets, portfolio quality, and risk-adjusted returns.
- Monitor KPIs including approval rates, disbursement speed, delinquency, and recovery ratios.
- Optimize program mix across risk segments to balance growth and profitability.
- Design frictionless, customer-friendly credit journeys.
- Embed flexible repayment features and lifecycle lending options.
- Collaborate with CX and distribution teams to enhance onboarding and servicing.
- Lead a multidisciplinary team of program managers and analysts.
- Champion cross-functional collaboration and agile execution.
- Ensure compliance with internal and regulatory frameworks (CBUAE, AML/CFT).
What We’re Looking For
- A strategic thinker with deep expertise in SME lending and program-based finance.
- Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and deliver complex product roadmaps.
- Strong commercial acumen with a track record of driving profitability and innovation.
- Experience navigating regulatory frameworks and risk governance structures.
- A collaborative leader who thrives in matrixed environments and agile squads.
Skills
- Deep knowledge of SME banking, credit dynamics, and alternative underwriting models.
- Expertise in lending products: term loans, working capital, invoice financing, government-backed schemes.
- Familiarity with digital ecosystems and integration of lending into broader platforms.
- Skilled in credit program structuring, risk-return optimization, and data-driven decisioning.Visionary leadership with strong execution capabilities.
- Influencing skills across senior stakeholders and external partners.
- Resilience, adaptability, and a growth mindset.
- Commitment to continuous improvement, innovation, and team development.
What You’ll Gain
- Competitive compensation and performance-based incentives
- Medical coverage for you and your family
- Comprehensive life insurance
- Exposure to high-impact strategic projects
- Supportive and inclusive workplace culture
- Opportunities for career advancement and professional development
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