Job Role

To provide strategic leadership in the design, development, and optimization of lending products, with a focus on SMEs and underserved market segments. The role is responsible for driving sustainable portfolio growth through innovative, customer-centric, and risk-aligned financial solutions while ensuring regulatory compliance and operational efficiency.

2. Key Responsibilities

A. Product Strategy and Portfolio Leadership

•  Define and execute the lending product strategy aligned to organizational growth objectives.
• Develop and maintain a forward-looking product roadmap focused on scalability and market relevance.
• Identify emerging market opportunities and design differentiated financial solutions.
• Monitor and optimize product performance including portfolio growth, loan uptake, customer retention, and profitability.

B. Product Development and Customer Experience

•  Lead the end-to-end lifecycle of lending products from concept to rollout and continuous improvement.
• Design simple, accessible, and customer-centric financial products tailored to SME needs
•  Incorporate customer insights, behavioral data, and market feedback into product enhancements.
• Collaborate with technology and operations teams to ensure seamless product delivery and user experience.

C. Credit and Risk Integration

• Work closely with Credit and Risk teams to embed sound lending principles in product design.
• Ensure a balance between portfolio growth and credit quality
•  Monitor product-level risk performance including default rates and portfolio health.
• Align product structures with risk appetite frameworks and underwriting policies.

D. Compliance and Governance

• Ensure all lending products comply with applicable financial regulations and internal policies.
•  Support audit, compliance, and reporting requirements related to product performance.
• Promote ethical lending practices and customer protection principles.

E. Commercial Performance and Growth

•  Drive revenue growth through product optimization, pricing strategies, and market expansion
• Partner with Sales and Marketing teams to improve product positioning and market penetration.
•  Develop strategies to increase conversion rates, reduce churn, and improve customer lifetime value.

F. Stakeholder Management and Leadership

•  Lead cross-functional collaboration across Credit, Sales, Marketing, Operations, and Technology teams.
• Communicate product strategy, performance insights, and key decisions to senior leadership.
• Ensure alignment across departments for efficient product execution.

Qualification

3. Qualifications

•  Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Economics, or a related field
•  MBA or professional certifications are an added advantage
•  Minimum of 7–10 years’ experience in financial services
•  At least 4–5 years in a senior product, lending, or credit leadership rol
•  Strong understanding of SME lending and credit risk frameworks
•  Proven experience in developing and managing lending products

4. Skills and Competencies

•  Strong strategic thinking and product development skills
• Excellent analytical and data-driven decision-making ability
• Leadership and team management skills
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills
• Commercial acumen and growth mindset
• Ability to balance risk and business performance
• High level of integrity and professionalism