Vice President & Head of Program Lending

Rakbank; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 350,000 - 750,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive rewards

Flexible wellbeing programs

Career progression

Job summary

Rakbank in the United Arab Emirates seeks a senior leader to define and drive the SME lending program strategy, partnering with Credit, Risk, Data and Tech to design underwriting, digital journeys, and ecosystem integration.

You will own targets, manage portfolio performance, and steer growth through innovative, customer-centric lending propositions while ensuring compliance with CBUAE and AML/CFT standards.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in SME Banking, Business Banking, Commercial Lending, or Program-Based Finance.
• Demonstrated success in developing and scaling lending products, credit programs, or financing ecosystems.
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to drive growth while managing portfolio risk.
• Proven leadership experience managing high-performing, cross-functional teams.
• Deep understanding of credit risk management, regulatory frameworks, and governance requirements.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the SME lending program strategy aligned with business growth objectives and risk appetite.
• Identify target SME segments and develop sector-specific financing programs (supplier finance, microfinance, embedded lending).
• Build strategic partnerships with anchor corporates, fintechs, government entities, and ecosystem partners.
• Partner with Credit, Risk, Data, Operations, and Technology to design underwriting frameworks and eligibility models.
• Drive digitization of end-to-end lending journeys from onboarding to servicing and collections.
• Integrate lending solutions into digital channels and ecosystem platforms to extend reach.
• Own business targets, portfolio performance, asset quality, and risk-adjusted returns.
• Monitor KPIs: approval rates, turnaround times, disbursements, delinquency, recovery ratios.
• Refine program structures and customer propositions for sustainable growth and profitability.
• Design seamless, customer-centric lending experiences that reduce friction.
• Develop flexible repayment solutions and lifecycle-based lending propositions for SMEs.
• Collaborate with Customer Experience and Distribution to improve acquisition, onboarding, and servicing.
• Lead and develop a team of program managers, product specialists, and analysts.
• Champion innovation, collaboration, accountability, and agile delivery.
• Ensure lending activities comply with internal policies and regulatory requirements (CB UAE, AML/CFT).

Skills

SME banking

Credit risk management

Lending products

Digital transformation

Stakeholder management

Job description

Job Description

• Define and execute the SME lending program strategy aligned with business growth objectives and risk appetite.
• Identify target SME segments and develop sector-specific financing programs such as supplier finance, microfinance, and embedded lending solutions.
• Build strategic partnerships with anchor corporates, fintechs, government entities, and ecosystem partners.
• Partner with Credit, Risk, Data, Operations, and Technology teams to design underwriting frameworks and eligibility models.
• Drive the digitization of end-to-end lending journeys, from customer onboarding through servicing and collections.
• Integrate lending solutions into digital channels and ecosystem platforms to enhance customer reach and accessibility.
• Own business targets, portfolio performance, asset quality, and risk-adjusted returns.
• Monitor and optimize key performance indicators including approval rates, turnaround times, disbursement volumes, delinquency levels, and recovery ratios.
• Continuously refine program structures and customer propositions to balance sustainable growth and profitability.
• Design seamless, customer-centric lending experiences that remove friction from the borrowing journey.
• Develop flexible repayment solutions and lifecycle-based lending propositions tailored to SME needs.
• Collaborate with Customer Experience and Distribution teams to improve acquisition, onboarding, and servicing outcomes.
• Lead and develop a team of program managers, product specialists, and analysts.
• Champion a culture of innovation, collaboration, accountability, and agile delivery.
• Ensure all lending activities comply with internal policies and regulatory requirements, including CBUAE and AML/CFT standards.

What You'll Be Doing:

• Define and execute the SME lending program strategy aligned with business growth objectives and risk appetite.
• Identify target SME segments and develop sector-specific financing programs such as supplier finance, microfinance, and embedded lending solutions.
• Build strategic partnerships with anchor corporates, fintechs, government entities, and ecosystem partners.
• Partner with Credit, Risk, Data, Operations, and Technology teams to design underwriting frameworks and eligibility models.
• Drive the digitization of end-to-end lending journeys, from customer onboarding through servicing and collections.
• Integrate lending solutions into digital channels and ecosystem platforms to enhance customer reach and accessibility.
• Own business targets, portfolio performance, asset quality, and risk-adjusted returns.
• Monitor and optimize key performance indicators including approval rates, turnaround times, disbursement volumes, delinquency levels, and recovery ratios.
• Continuously refine program structures and customer propositions to balance sustainable growth and profitability.
• Design seamless, customer-centric lending experiences that remove friction from the borrowing journey.
• Develop flexible repayment solutions and lifecycle-based lending propositions tailored to SME needs.
• Collaborate with Customer Experience and Distribution teams to improve acquisition, onboarding, and servicing outcomes.
• Lead and develop a team of program managers, product specialists, and analysts.
• Champion a culture of innovation, collaboration, accountability, and agile delivery.
• Ensure all lending activities comply with internal policies and regulatory requirements, including CBUAE and AML/CFT standards.

What We’re Looking For

• Extensive experience in SME Banking, Business Banking, Commercial Lending, or Program-Based Finance.
• Demonstrated success in developing and scaling lending products, credit programs, or financing ecosystems.
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to drive growth while effectively managing portfolio risk.
• Proven leadership experience managing high-performing, cross-functional teams.
• Deep understanding of credit risk management, regulatory frameworks, and governance requirements.
• Experience working within digital transformation, fintech partnerships, or embedded finance environments is highly desirable.
• A strategic thinker with strong execution capabilities and a passion for innovation.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to engage senior leadership and external partners.

Skills

• Deep understanding of SME banking, lending products, credit risk, and alternative underwriting methodologies.
• Expertise across lending solutions including working capital facilities, term loans, invoice financing, supply chain finance, and government-backed schemes.
• Strong knowledge of digital lending ecosystems, customer journeys, and platform integrations.
• Experience in portfolio management, risk-return optimization, and data-driven decision making.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic, and evolving environment.
• Commitment to innovation, continuous improvement, and talent development.

What's In It For You?

• Lead the strategy and growth of a critical SME lending business within one of the UAE's leading banks.
• Shape innovative lending solutions that directly impact the success of thousands of SMEs across the region.
• Work at the forefront of digital transformation, embedded finance, and next-generation lending ecosystems.
• Collaborate with senior leaders and cross-functional teams to drive meaningful business outcomes.
• Enjoy opportunities for professional growth, leadership development, and career progression.
• Be part of a high-performing, collaborative culture that values innovation, ownership, and customer centricity.
• Access competitive rewards, comprehensive benefits, and flexible wellbeing programs.
• Make a tangible impact by supporting entrepreneurship, economic growth, and financial inclusion in the UAE.