Unit Head – SME Finance

Job Title: Unit Head – SME Finance

Department: SME & Business Banking

Job Overview

The role is responsible for supporting the Head of SME Finance in building, scaling, and managing the Bank's SME financing business by executing strategic growth initiatives, developing innovative Shariah-compliant financing solutions, managing anchor and obligor relationships, conducting detailed business and credit assessments, and ensuring seamless onboarding and disbursement processes. The incumbent will play a critical role in portfolio growth, risk management, stakeholder engagement, digital transformation initiatives, and regulatory compliance while contributing to the achievement of the Bank's SME business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the implementation of the Bank's SME Finance strategy, business plans, and growth initiatives.
• Drive the acquisition and onboarding of anchor companies and obligors to build a sustainable SME financing portfolio.
• Develop and enhance Shariah-compliant SME financing products and programs aligned with the Bank's digital business model and customer needs.
• Lead the end-to-end onboarding process for anchor companies and obligors, ensuring timely completion of all business requirements from initial engagement through financing disbursement.
• Conduct comprehensive business due diligence on anchor companies and obligors, including financial analysis, business assessment, industry review, management evaluation, and verification of required information and documentation in accordance with the Bank's approved Risk Acceptance Criteria (RAC).
• Prepare comprehensive credit proposals and financing recommendations based on the approved RAC, the Bank's credit policies, and Shariah principles, and submit them to the relevant approving authorities for review and approval.
• Coordinate with anchor companies, obligors, and other stakeholders to obtain required information, resolve outstanding matters, fulfil pre-disbursement conditions, and ensure smooth onboarding and timely disbursement of approved financing facilities.
• Liaise with Relationship Management, Credit Risk, Operations, Technology, Legal, Compliance, Finance, and Shariah teams to facilitate efficient processing, approval, documentation, onboarding, and disbursement.
• Monitor the progress of financing applications and proactively follow up on pending actions to achieve agreed turnaround times and service standards.
• Support periodic reviews, renewals, and ongoing monitoring of approved anchor companies and obligors in line with the Bank's policies and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor portfolio performance, identify emerging risks or operational issues, and recommend appropriate corrective actions.
• Ensure compliance with SBP regulations, internal policies, Shariah governance requirements, and applicable risk management standards.
• Identify opportunities to simplify processes, automate workflows, improve turnaround times, and enhance the overall customer experience through digital solutions.
• Support the development of strategic partnerships with fintechs, digital platforms, aggregators, and other ecosystem partners to expand the Bank's SME financing business.
• Prepare management reports, portfolio updates, business performance dashboards, and presentations for senior management.
• Perform any other duties assigned by the Head of SME Finance.

Experience Required

• Minimum 10 years of relevant banking experience, including at least 7 years in SME Banking, SME Finance, Credit Risk, or Business Banking, with a proven track record of SME portfolio growth, credit structuring, customer acquisition, and management of Shariah-compliant financing programs.
• Master's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Banking, Economics, or a related discipline.
• Professional qualifications or certifications in Islamic Banking, Credit Risk, or Finance will be an added advantage.
• Strong experience in SME customer onboarding, credit proposal preparation, financial analysis, and portfolio management.
• Individual with experience in Islamic banking and digital financing will be preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong knowledge of SME banking, credit analysis, and Shariah‑compliant financing solutions.
• Ability to draft comprehensive credit proposals aligned with RAC, Shariah principles, and regulatory requirements.
• Experience in monitoring SME financing portfolios, identifying risks, and recommending corrective actions.
• Strong understanding of SBP regulations, Shariah governance, and internal risk management standards.

Raqami is committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from qualified candidates of all backgrounds and are dedicated to providing equal employment opportunities for all.