Summary
Astra Tech is hiring a Partnerships Specialist in Dubai to manage SME lending partnerships and serve as the day-to-day contact for partners. The role covers the partnership process from lead generation through application, approval and disbursement, including onboarding, operational follow-up and security cheque record control. The specialist will maintain funnel data, build MIS reports and dashboards, analyze performance, and turn partner and SME feedback into improvement actions. Applicants should have a relevant bachelor’s degree, 2–4 years of experience in related business or lending operations, advanced Excel skills and strong communication and analytical abilities.
The posting
As published on astratech.ae. Pulled from the employer's site and shown as they wrote it.
Role Summary
Own the end-to-end management of SME lending partnerships, from partner engagement and funnel tracking through MIS reporting, performance analysis and operational follow-up. You will be the main point of contact for partners. You will make sure that sales and business processes run smoothly, that performance is tracked accurately, and that partner and borrower feedback becomes actions that grow the business.
Responsibilities
Partner Management & Communication: Act as the day-to-day point of contact for partners. Hold regular check-ins and performance conversations, and keep relationships strong. Represent the partnership clearly and confidently, both externally and with internal stakeholders.
End-to-End Process Ownership: Own partnership sales and business processes from lead generation through application, approval and disbursement. Make sure each stage runs to agreed timelines and standards, and drive issues to resolution rather than just flagging them.
Funnel & Performance Tracking: Maintain accurate, up-to-date partnership pipeline and activity trackers, with clear visibility of leads, opportunities, applications, conversions and ongoing initiatives. Own the accuracy and completeness of partnership data across Excel trackers and internal systems.
MIS Reporting & Dashboards: Build and own regular MIS reports and dashboards on partnership performance, covering leads generated, applications, approvals, disbursements, conversion rates and other agreed KPIs. Present the insights to management and partners.
Performance Analysis: Analyze partnership and SME funnel data to identify trends, drop-offs, bottlenecks and opportunities to improve conversion, engagement and overall partnership performance.
SME Engagement & Feedback: Engage directly with SMEs to gather feedback on their experience, understand pain points and find ways to improve the lending journey. Consolidate SME and partner feedback into actionable insights and recommendations.
Partner Onboarding & Reviews: Lead partner onboarding and make sure the required documentation, processes and trackers are completed and maintained. Prepare partner reviews, presentations, business cases and performance updates.
Operational Follow-up: Follow up with partners, SMEs and internal teams on outstanding documentation, information and operational requirements for partnership-generated customers.
Security Cheque Control: Track and maintain records of security cheques collected from SME borrowers. Ensure accurate documentation, custody-status tracking and reconciliation in line with internal processes, and escalate missing records or discrepancies promptly.
Process Improvement & Automation: Identify opportunities to automate manual trackers and reporting processes. Work with the relevant teams to improve efficiency, strengthen controls and reduce operational risk.
Partnership Initiatives: Support ad-hoc partnership initiatives, campaigns and projects as the SME lending business grows.
Requirements
Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Data Analytics or another relevant discipline.
2-4 years of experience managing sales or business processes, ideally in partnerships, sales operations, business operations or lending operations within financial services.
Hands-on experience in partner management, funnel and performance tracking, and MIS reporting.
Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including formulas, pivot tables, data validation and reconciliation; strong reporting and presentation skills; familiarity with CRM, workflow or business-intelligence tools is advantageous.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the confidence to engage partners and senior stakeholders regularly.
A proven track record of taking end-to-end ownership of processes or outcomes, with a proactive, self-driven approach to follow-up and problem-solving.
Experience in SME lending, fintech, banking, credit or another regulated financial-services environment is preferred. Understanding of lending-funnel metrics is advantageous.
Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, organizational skills and sound judgment when handling sensitive customer and financial information.