VP - Head of Corporate & Middle Market Credit

Job Overview

This senior role involves overseeing the credit approval processes within Corporate Banking focused on the Private Sector and Middle Market segments. The position emphasizes compliance with the Central Bank of UAE regulations and internal credit policies while maintaining a healthy credit portfolio to optimize returns and minimize risks.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the approval process for credit proposals ensuring timely processing by Credit Relationship Managers (CRMs) and adherence to regulatory requirements.
• Ensure detailed credit due diligence highlights any deviations from the Credit Policy Manual and Central Bank guidelines; clearly document exceptions in CRM recommendations, including implications related to IFRS staging, Expected Credit Loss (ECL), and capital impacts.
• Regularly review exception reports concerning excesses, overdrawn accounts, past dues, and expired credit proposals; engage with the Head of Credit, Chief Credit Officer, and business leaders to address these issues.
• Participate in joint customer visits with business teams as necessary to verify business performance and gather additional insights.
• Engage in ongoing training to maintain and enhance job-related skills, while mentoring staff to promote a risk-aware culture within the bank.
• Provide input and feedback on credit risk policies and procedures; contribute to the review and update of credit policy documents as needed.
• Collaborate with Shari'ah, Legal, Risk Management, Credit Administration & Documentation (CAD), Operations, and IT departments on credit-related matters including systems and management information.
• Oversee turnaround time (TAT), portfolio reports, and exception reports from CAD; ensure follow-ups for corrective actions concerning expired limits, excess limits, past dues, documentation issues, and covenant compliance; ensure material exceptions are documented in credit proposals.
• Lead and motivate a team of credit managers, ensuring team alignment with departmental and organizational goals, providing necessary training and distributing workload according to experience and skills.
• Coordinate with business unit heads on credit proposals and monitor the resolution of pending issues; support internal and external audits and reviews as required.
• Perform any additional responsibilities assigned by the line manager related to credit management and departmental functions.

Experience and Qualifications

• Minimum 8 to 10 years’ experience in credit risk management within banks of regional or international standing, specifically in corporate credit roles.
• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree in business management, finance, accounting, or economics preferred.
• Professional certifications such as CFA, CMA, or FRM are advantageous.