SME Relationship Manager

About the role

A subsidiary of a pan-African banking group is recruiting an SME Relationship Manager in Kitengela, Kenya, to originate, build and manage SME relationships. The role covers business development, customer engagement, portfolio management and preliminary credit assessment, and reports to the Branch Manager with functional reporting to the Head of SME.

Key responsibilities

• Drive SME portfolio growth across assets, liabilities and off-balance-sheet exposures, and pursue new business opportunities
• Build customer pipelines through market engagement, networking and referrals, and promote Trade Finance, Cash Management and Digital Banking solutions
• Manage key customer relationships through regular visits and portfolio reviews, positioning the bank as the preferred financial partner
• Conduct preliminary financial analysis and credit appraisal, then structure and package credit facilities such as working capital, letters of credit and bank guarantees
• Monitor portfolio quality, dormant accounts and early warning indicators, keeping delinquency within approved risk thresholds
• Maintain compliance with KYC, AML and operational risk standards, and support Relationship Officers

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Economics, Accounting or a related field; MBA or postgraduate qualification is an added advantage
• Minimum of five years of general banking experience, including at least three years in SME relationship management in Kenya
• Experience in credit analysis, relationship management, business development and portfolio management
• Exposure to trade finance and SME structuring is an added advantage

Required skills

• Practical ability to analyse balance sheets, P&L and cash flow statements
• Understanding of SME banking products, portfolio growth, customer relationship management and credit risk management
• Commercial and financial acumen, stakeholder engagement, negotiation and communication skills