Director SME Banking & Relationship Management

LMA RECRUITMENT SINGAPORE PTE. LTD.; Singapore; On-site; SGD 243,000 - 297,000; Full time

Job summary

LMA Recruitment Singapore is seeking an experienced SME banking leader in Singapore to drive growth of the business lending portfolio and shape its lending strategy.

You will work closely with Credit Risk and other stakeholders to develop commercially attractive financing solutions while building a high-performing team and ensuring disciplined credit governance.

Qualifications

• At least 10 years in SME banking, lending or credit-related roles.
• Strong credit underwriting expertise.
• Commercial mindset with ability to identify lending opportunities.
• Experience in SME relationship management or lending portfolio management.
• Analytical skills and understanding of credit parameters.
• Ability to engage stakeholders across commercial, credit and risk.
• Existing SME broker or introducer networks would be an advantage.
• Degree in Finance, Business, Economics or related discipline.

Responsibilities

• Drive SME business growth by leading customer acquisition and portfolio expansion.
• Bridge business and credit by working with Credit Risk to structure financing solutions.
• Own portfolio growth, revenue, profitability and asset quality.
• Shape lending strategies using insights and portfolio trends.
• Collaborate with credit, product and operations to improve lending propositions.
• Lead, coach and develop a high-performing SME banking team.
• Maintain governance on lending activities and due diligence.

Skills

SME banking

Credit risk

Portfolio management

Business development

Stakeholder management

Education

Finance / Business / Economics degree

Job description

A unique opportunity for an experienced SME banking professional who combines strong commercial instincts with a deep understanding of credit risk.

Our client, an established financial institution with ambitious growth plans, is looking for an experienced SME banking leader to drive the expansion of its business lending portfolio.

This is more than a traditional relationship management role. We are looking for someone who can think beyond conventional lending approaches, identify opportunities where others see obstacles, and work closely with credit stakeholders to develop commercially attractive financing solutions.

You will play a pivotal role in growing the business, shaping its lending strategy and building a high performing team, while maintaining a healthy balance between commercial growth and credit quality.

The Role

• Drive SME business growth: Lead customer acquisition and portfolio expansion through direct origination, strategic partnerships, referral networks and other business development channels.
• Bridge business and credit: Work closely with Credit Risk to assess complex lending opportunities, challenge conventional approaches constructively and develop alternative financing structures that satisfy both customer needs and risk requirements.
• Own commercial performance: Take responsibility for portfolio growth, revenue generation, profitability and asset quality, identifying opportunities to deepen relationships and maximise lending utilisation.
• Shape lending strategies: Leverage credit insights, financial analysis and portfolio trends to refine customer acquisition strategies, improve credit conversion and identify underserved market opportunities.
• Influence lending propositions: Collaborate with credit, product and operations teams to enhance financing solutions, improve decision making and remove unnecessary friction from the lending process.
• Lead and develop the team: Build, coach and motivate a team of SME banking professionals, driving accountability, commercial performance and strong credit discipline.
• Maintain sound governance: Ensure lending activities, customer due diligence and portfolio management adhere to applicable regulatory and internal risk requirements.

What We're Looking For

• At least 10 years of experience across SME banking, business lending, credit risk, credit underwriting or related functions, with a strong understanding of the Singapore SME market.
• Solid credit expertise is essential. You should be comfortable interpreting business financials, evaluating creditworthiness, understanding underwriting policies and structuring lending solutions.
• A commercially driven mindset, with the ability to identify quality lending opportunities and navigate credit challenges through well reasoned, practical solutions.
• Experience in SME relationship management, business development or lending portfolio management, ideally complemented by exposure to credit risk or credit policy.
• Strong analytical capabilities and an appreciation of how credit parameters, portfolio performance and customer acquisition strategies influence business profitability.
• Proven ability to engage and influence stakeholders across commercial, credit and risk functions, supported by strong communication and negotiation skills.
• Existing relationships with SME brokers, introducers or relevant industry networks would be an advantage.
• A degree in Finance, Business, Economics or a related discipline.

Why This Opportunity?

This role offers the opportunity to combine commercial leadership, credit expertise and strategic influence in a business where your ideas and decisions can make a tangible impact.

You won't simply be managing relationships or chasing lending targets. You'll have the scope to influence how lending opportunities are assessed, how financing solutions are developed and how the business grows.

For someone who enjoys solving complex credit challenges, building a business and leading from the front, this is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference.

Basic up to SGD 270,000 per annum + bonus

EA Licence:R1110891 | Licence No.: 24S2411