Job Purpose
The Head of Institutional Banking will provide strategic leadership and oversight of the Bank’s Institutional Banking portfolio in Kenya, covering Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), State-Owned Enterprises (Parastatals), Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), Multilateral Agencies, and other large public and institutional bodies.
The role is responsible for driving balance sheet growth, strengthening key relationships, ensuring regulatory compliance, and delivering sustainable profitability in line with the Bank’s strategic objectives.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide strategic direction for the Institutional Banking business, ensuring alignment with the Bank’s overall strategy and the Kenyan macroeconomic and regulatory environment.
- Oversee growth, stability, and optimal mix of assets and liabilities within the institutional portfolio, with a strong focus on quality, risk-adjusted returns, and sustainability.
- Drive growth of current accounts, collections, payment solutions, escrow services, and wholesale deposit mobilization from institutional clients.
- Proactively identify, develop, and manage relationships with Government Ministries, Counties, Parastatals, Development Agencies, and other institutional clients.
- Monitor national and county government development agendas, public sector projects, PPP initiatives, and donor-funded programs to identify financing and transaction opportunities.
- Originate, structure, and deliver complex institutional banking solutions, including cash management, trade finance, structured lending, and advisory services.
- Maintain strong engagement with National Treasury, Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), and relevant regulatory bodies to remain aligned with policy and funding developments.
- Build and sustain long-term senior-level relationships with key stakeholders across Government, Development Partners, and Institutional clients.
- Ensure high levels of client satisfaction through proactive engagement, timely delivery of solutions, and continuous improvement of service standards.
- Act as the principal escalation point for strategic institutional clients.
- Ensure adherence to CBK regulations, internal credit policies, AML/CFT requirements, and public sector governance frameworks.
- Provide oversight on credit risk, portfolio quality, and exposure limits for institutional clients.
- Participate in relevant management and credit committees, providing informed insights on institutional banking risks and opportunities.
Qualifications and Experience
Academic Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in business, Economics, Finance, or a related field.
- Master’s degree (MBA, Finance, or Strategy) is an added advantage.
Professional Qualifications / Membership
- AKIB, ACIB, or other relevant professional banking or finance qualification.
- Formal training in corporate/ institutional lending, relationship management, or credit risk management.
Work Experience Required
- Minimum of 8–10 years’ experience in banking, with at least 4–5 years in senior or managerial roles within Institutional, Corporate, or Public Sector Banking.
- Proven experience managing Government, Parastatal, or Development Finance Institution relationships in the Kenyan market.
- Strong understanding of Kenya’s banking sector, public sector financing frameworks, and regulatory environment.
Key Competencies
- Strong leadership skills.
- Executive disposition.
- Demonstrate high levels of integrity.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Business/Financial acumen, business savvy and innovative.
- Ability to develop long-term integrated and cross-functional operational plans.
- Thorough understanding of the Banking Sector.
- Ability to create and maintain strong stakeholder relationships.
