Senior Manager - SME Strategy & Development

ahlibank SAOG; Muscat; On-site; OMR 89,000 - 134,000; Full time

Job summary

ahlibank SAOG in Muscat seeks an experienced executive to lead the SME Development Program and related strategic initiatives. You will design, implement, and continuously enhance financing, advisory, mentoring, and capacity-building solutions for SMEs, while onboarding high-potential businesses and coordinating with regulators and partners.

The role emphasizes performance monitoring, management reporting, and risk governance, with a mandate to expand the SME ecosystem and deliver scalable value

Qualifications

• Omani Nationals only.
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in SME banking or related fields.
• Strong understanding of SME banking products, credit analysis, risk management and regulatory requirements.
• Experience in leading teams and developing business strategies.

Responsibilities

• Design and continuously enhance the SME Development Program framework.
• Develop program structures, support mechanisms, and service offerings for SME growth.
• Ensure alignment with bank strategy, regulatory requirements, and national economic priorities.
• Lead the end-to-end implementation and delivery of SME development programs.
• Coordinate resources, timelines, and stakeholders to ensure successful program execution.
• Oversee financing, advisory, mentoring, and capacity-building solutions to SMEs.
• Identify, evaluate, and onboard high-potential SMEs.
• Collaborate with regulators and industry stakeholders to support program objectives.
• Monitor program performance against objectives, KPIs, and impact measures.
• Prepare management reports and presentations for senior leadership.
• Establish and manage strategic partnerships to enhance offerings and ecosystem.
• Maintain risk controls and regulatory compliance across all activities.

Skills

SME Banking

Program Design

Stakeholder Management

Regulatory Compliance

Strategy Leadership

Job description

Muscat, Sultanate of Oman | Posted on 06/08/2026

Responsible for designing, implementing, and continuously enhancing the bank’s SME Development Program and other SME-focused strategic initiatives. The role drives the development of financing, advisory, mentoring, and capacity-building solutions that support SME growth and sustainability. It involves identifying and onboarding high-potential SMEs, managing stakeholder relationships, coordinating with internal and external partners, and ensuring effective program execution. The role also monitors program performance, measures business and economic impact, prepares management reports, and ensures compliance with regulatory, policy, and risk management requirements. Additionally, it fosters strategic partnerships and promotes innovation to strengthen the SME ecosystem and maximize the effectiveness, scalability, and long-term value of SME development initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Program Design & Development
  • Design and continuously enhance the SME Development Program framework, including eligibility criteria, selection methodology, and value proposition.
    
  • Develop program structures, support mechanisms, and service offerings that address SME growth and development needs.
    
  • Ensure alignment of program objectives with the bank’s strategy, regulatory requirements, and national economic priorities.
    
• Program Execution & Delivery
  • Lead the end-to-end implementation and delivery of SME development programs and initiatives.
    
  • Coordinate resources, timelines, and stakeholders to ensure successful program execution.
    
  • Oversee the delivery of financing, advisory, mentoring, and capacity-building solutions to participating SMEs.
    
• SME Identification & Onboarding
  • Identify, evaluate, and select high-potential SMEs based on predefined financial, strategic, and operational criteria.
    
  • Conduct assessments to determine business viability, growth potential, and development requirements.
    
  • Manage the onboarding process to ensure a seamless and effective participant experience.
    
• Stakeholder Management
  • Collaborate with internal departments, external partners, regulators, and industry stakeholders to support program objectives.
    
  • Facilitate approvals, resolve implementation challenges, and ensure effective coordination among stakeholders.
    
  • Build and maintain strong relationships to enhance program reach, effectiveness, and sustainability.
    
• Performance Monitoring & Reporting
  • Monitor program performance against established objectives, KPIs, and success measures.
    
  • Track SME growth outcomes and assess the overall impact of program initiatives.
    
  • Prepare management reports, presentations, and performance updates for senior leadership and stakeholders.
    
• Partnership & Ecosystem Development
  • Establish and manage strategic partnerships with advisors, consultants, industry experts, and ecosystem participants.
    
  • Leverage external networks to enhance program offerings and provide value-added services to SMEs.
    
  • Promote collaboration opportunities that strengthen the SME ecosystem and support business growth.
    
• Risk & Compliance Oversight
  • Ensure all program activities comply with internal policies, governance standards, and regulatory requirements.
    
  • Identify and mitigate operational, financial, and reputational risks associated with program delivery.
    
  • Maintain appropriate controls, documentation, and reporting to support effective risk management.
    
• Identify opportunities to improve program effectiveness, efficiency, and scalability.
  
• Introduce innovative solutions, best practices, and new delivery models to enhance participant outcomes.
  
• Conduct regular reviews and implement enhancements based on feedback, market trends, and performance results.
  
• SME Strategic Initiatives Management
  • Lead and coordinate the planning and execution of strategic SME-focused projects and initiatives across the bank.
    
  • Monitor initiative performance, milestones, and deliverables to ensure successful implementation.
    
  • Drive initiatives that support SME growth, enhance customer value propositions, and contribute to the bank’s strategic objectives.
    

Requirements

Education & Experience Requirement

• Omani Nationals only.
  
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in SME banking or related fields is required.
  
• Strong understanding of SME banking products, credit analysis, risk management and regulatory requirements. Experience in leading teams and developing business strategies.