HEAD, SME & CLEAN ENERGY

Job Description

Job Title: Head, SME & Clean Energy

Department: SME & Clean Energy
Division: Operations
Industry: Microfinance Banking
Location: Nigeria (Nationwide)
Reports To: Executive Director, Operations

Job Summary

The Head, SME & Clean Energy is a senior leadership role responsible for the strategic growth, performance, and quality of the Bank’s SME and Clean Energy loan portfolio. The role focuses on driving nationwide portfolio expansion, strengthening asset quality, reducing non-performing loans, improving recovery rates, and ensuring regulatory compliance.

The successful candidate will lead high-performing teams across regions, implement growth and recovery strategies, and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to deliver sustainable business results.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Portfolio Management

• Drive SME loan products ranging from ₦1 Million to ₦100 Million across all six geopolitical zones and the payroll lending segment.
• Lead customer acquisition, retention, and month-on-month portfolio growth in line with approved budgets.
• Monitor market trends, portfolio performance, and competitive activities to support strategic decision-making.
• Develop and execute effective recovery strategies to reduce Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) and maintain portfolio quality.
• Collaborate with partners to ensure consistent sales of Clean Energy products across branches nationwide.
• Enforce zero Portfolio-at-Risk (PAR) culture and ensure 100% collections within assigned portfolios.

 Operational Excellence

• Ensure consistent monthly growth of SME and Clean Energy loan portfolios through Relationship Managers and branch leadership.
• Work closely with Zonal and State Business Heads to improve brand visibility and market penetration nationwide.
• Review and enhance recovery policies, tools, and processes in line with industry best practices.
• Drive adoption and effective usage of the Bank’s mobile app and Merchant POS solutions by SME customers.

 Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop Relationship Managers and Branch Managers to achieve optimal performance.
• Identify training needs and ensure execution of structured capacity-building programs.
• Conduct regular performance reviews and provide actionable feedback to improve productivity and accountability.

 Stakeholder Engagement & Compliance

• Maintain strong collaboration with internal teams including Credit, Risk, Legal, Audit, IT, Retail, and Corporate Banking.
• Engage external stakeholders such as legal firms, regulators, and recovery partners.
• Ensure strict compliance with regulatory guidelines, internal policies, and ethical standards.
• Proactively identify economic, regulatory, and market risks and advise management accordingly.

 Reporting & Strategy

• Prepare and submit detailed monthly performance dashboards covering disbursement, PAR, recovery, and team productivity.
• Provide actionable insights and recommendations to senior management.
• Develop and implement a forward-looking strategic roadmap for SME & Clean Energy growth.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Monthly loan disbursement target of ₦20 Billion across SME and Clean Energy portfolios.
• 90% cross-selling of Clean Energy products to existing SME customers.
• Portfolio at Risk (PAR) below 3% for SME and 2% for Clean Energy by December 2026.
• 0% PAR on all new loan originations.
• 90% digital adoption among SME clients.
• 100% achievement of Relationship Officer mobilization targets.
• Full completion of scheduled training programs.

Requirements & Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Master’s degree or professional certification in Credit, Risk, or Finance is an added advantage.
• Minimum of 5 years’ progressive experience in SME banking, credit management, or loan recovery within the financial services or microfinance sector.

 Knowledge & Skills

• Strong understanding of SME lending, credit cycles, recovery strategies, and regulatory requirements.
• Proven leadership and team management experience.
• Excellent analytical, negotiation, and decision-making skills.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and results orientation.
• Proficiency in digital banking tools, reporting systems, and data analytics.