Vice President and Head of Program Lending - Business Banking Group

RAK BANK; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial institution in the UAE seeks a Head of Program Lending to design and execute scalable credit programs for SME customers. The role involves cross-functional collaboration, regulatory compliance, and a focus on financial inclusion and credit growth. The ideal candidate possesses strong SME banking knowledge, proven leadership abilities, and a strategic mindset.

Qualifications

• Experience in SME lending and program-based finance.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams.
• Strong commercial acumen and track record of profitability.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute lending strategy aligned with business growth.
• Design sector-specific credit programs.
• Monitor KPIs and optimize program mix.

Skills

Deep knowledge of SME banking

Expertise in lending products

Familiarity with digital ecosystems

Skilled in credit program structuring

Influencing skills across senior stakeholders

Resilience and adaptability

Job description

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.

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.