Assistant Relationship Manager – SME Coverage

About the Role:
As an Assistant Relationship Manager - Remedial (Trade & Working Capital), you will support the management of a portfolio of stressed, past-due, and restructured SME customers. The role focuses on customer engagement, debt counselling, collections, restructuring support, and recovery initiatives to improve portfolio performance and minimize credit losses. You will work closely with internal stakeholders to monitor customer repayment behaviour, facilitate timely remedial actions, and ensure compliance with regulatory and internal policy requirements.

What You Will Be Doing:

1. Portfolio Management & Customer Engagement

• Assist in managing a portfolio of SME customers classified under past due, restructured, and remedial segments.
• Conduct regular customer interactions to understand business performance, cash flow position, and repayment capacity.
• Act as a liaison between customers and internal stakeholders including Credit, Collections, Operations, Legal, and Compliance.
• Support customer meetings, debt counselling sessions, and negotiation of repayment arrangements.
• Maintain accurate records of customer engagements, commitments, and remedial action plans.
• Build and maintain professional customer relationships while safeguarding the Bank's interests.
• Adhere strictly to the Bank's Code of Conduct, regulatory guidelines, and internal policies.

2. Collections, Recovery & Restructuring

• Support collection efforts by monitoring overdue accounts and following up on customer payment commitments.
• Assist in developing and implementing remediation, restructuring, and recovery strategies for distressed accounts.
• Gather and review financial information required for restructuring assessments and credit reviews.
• Monitor compliance with approved repayment plans and restructuring terms.
• Coordinate with relevant stakeholders to facilitate the timely execution of restructuring and recovery actions.
• Escalate delinquent accounts and high-risk situations in a timely manner.

3. Credit & Risk Management

• Conduct periodic portfolio reviews and identify early warning signals indicating potential credit deterioration.
• Prepare account review notes, restructuring recommendations, and remedial proposals for management review.
• Monitor portfolio performance, DPD movement, covenant compliance, and customer conduct.
• Ensure timely implementation of risk mitigation measures and adherence to approved action plans.
• Support classification, provisioning, and regulatory reporting requirements where applicable.

4. Reporting & Operational Support

• Maintain portfolio trackers, management reports, and customer documentation in line with Bank standards.
• Support internal reviews, audits, and regulatory requests by providing accurate and timely information.
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure smooth execution of remedial action plans and account management activities.
• Ensure accuracy, completeness, and confidentiality of customer information and records.
• Contribute to process improvement initiatives that enhance portfolio monitoring and remedial management effectiveness.

What We're Looking For:

Minimum Qualification:

• University Degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant field.

Minimum Experience:

• Minimum 3 years of SME Banking experience.
• Experience in collections, credit, relationship management, or remedial functions.
• Understanding of SME lending, restructuring, collections, and recovery processes.

What You Should Have:

• Strong analytical and financial assessment capabilities.
• Understanding of SME credit and lending products.
• Ability to review customer financial statements and cash flow positions.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Relationship-building and negotiation capabilities.
• Good understanding of regulatory and compliance requirements.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple cases and priorities effectively

Responsibilities

• Manage a diverse portfolio of SME customers, including those with varying credit classifications, ensuring their financial health and stability.
• Conduct proactive customer engagement to assess business performance, repayment capacity, and identify potential credit risks.
• Serve as a liaison between customers and internal teams, facilitating effective communication and collaboration for seamless customer support.
• Negotiate repayment plans, maintain accurate customer records, and develop tailored remedial action plans to improve portfolio performance.
• Build and maintain professional relationships with customers, balancing their needs with the bank's interests, and ensuring compliance with regulations.
• Support collection efforts by monitoring overdue accounts, following up on payment commitments, and contributing to effective recovery strategies.
• Conduct regular portfolio reviews to identify potential risks, ensure timely risk mitigation, and maintain strong asset quality.
• Monitor portfolio performance, including DPD movement, covenant compliance, and customer conduct, and support classification and regulatory reporting.
• Stay updated with banking regulations and compliance requirements, adapting to market changes to ensure the bank's success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, or a related field, with a strong academic background.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in a similar role, preferably in banking or financial services, with a successful track record.
• In-depth knowledge of SME lending, credit risk management, and relevant banking regulations and practices.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with a talent for building rapport and fostering strong, professional relationships.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, particularly Excel and PowerPoint, for data analysis and presentation of complex financial information.
• Analytical mindset with attention to detail, enabling effective problem-solving and decision-making in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple tasks, and prioritize effectively to meet deadlines and deliver exceptional results.
• Willingness to continuously learn, adapt, and stay updated with industry trends and best practices in SME banking.
• Fluent in English, with proficiency in Arabic preferred for effective communication with a diverse client base.
• A self-motivated individual with a proactive approach, a strong work ethic, and a commitment to delivering exceptional customer service.