A leading financial services institution operating in Central Africa is seeking an experienced and strategic Director: Credit Risk to oversee and strengthen its credit risk function across retail, corporate, and SME portfolios. This is a senior leadership position suited to a seasoned risk professional with deep knowledge of credit governance, portfolio management, and African banking markets.

This opportunity offers significant influence at executive level, exposure to a growing regional market, and the ability to drive credit strategy in a rapidly expanding financial environment.

If you are passionate about risk leadership, credit strategy, and operational excellence — this is a rare and impactful opportunity.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the full credit risk function, including credit policy, governance, and portfolio oversight.
• Drive strategic credit risk decisions aligned with the bank’s growth objectives and regulatory obligations.
• Oversee credit risk analytics, modelling, portfolio segmentation, and performance monitoring.
• Manage and enhance credit approval frameworks for retail, SME, and corporate lending.
• Engage with executive and board committees on risk appetite, portfolio trends, impairments, and stress testing.
• Strengthen risk controls, early‑warning systems, and credit quality management across the bank.
• Provide leadership and guidance to the credit risk team, including developing and mentoring senior and junior staff.
• Collaborate with finance, operations, audit, and regulatory stakeholders to ensure sound risk governance.

Experience & Skills Required:

Qualifications

• Honours degree in Finance, Risk Management, Economics, or related field (Master’s advantageous).
• Professional certifications in risk (CFA, FRM, CRM, etc.) will be highly beneficial.

Experience

• 10+ years’ experience in credit risk management within banking or financial services.
• Strong exposure to credit policy, credit decisioning, portfolio monitoring, and impairments.
• Proven experience in leading teams at a senior or executive level.
• Experience in African or emerging markets will be a significant advantage.

Technical Competencies

• Deep understanding of retail, SME, and corporate credit risk.
• Strong command of credit modelling principles, IFRS 9, stress testing, and regulatory frameworks.
• Ability to design and maintain credit governance structures and risk appetite statements.

Leadership Competencies

• Strong strategic thinking and executive communication skills.
• Ability to influence stakeholders at Board, Exco, and regulatory levels.
• Experience building high‑performing credit teams in complex environments.

Location & Package:

• Role based in Central Africa (full details shared during the interview process).
• Expatriate package, including accommodation support, flights, security arrangements, and medical cover, available for the right candidate.