About the Role
We are seeking an experienced and results-driven Head of Credit Assessment to lead and oversee credit assessment activities, ensuring compliance with approved policies, regulatory requirements, and risk management standards.
The role is responsible for supervising the evaluation of financing applications, assessing creditworthiness, reviewing financial and business performance, managing credit-related risks, and providing recommendations that support informed financing decisions. The successful candidate will also lead a team of credit professionals while driving continuous improvement in credit assessment practices and portfolio quality.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and oversee the credit assessment process for SME financing applications.
- Review and evaluate financial statements, business plans, cash flow projections, and other supporting documentation.
- Oversee the development, implementation, and continuous enhancement of credit assessment methodologies and scoring models.
- Assess financing risks associated with new ventures, business expansions, and financing proposals.
- Review and approve credit assessment reports and financing recommendations before submission to management.
- Ensure consistency, accuracy, and quality in credit evaluations across the team.
- Coordinate with relevant business units and stakeholders to ensure comprehensive and balanced assessments.
- Support the review and enhancement of credit assessment policies, standards, and procedures in line with market and economic developments.
- Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, internal policies, and governance frameworks related to credit assessment.
- Oversee the documentation, record keeping, and maintenance of credit assessment files and decisions.
- Contribute to improving financing quality, strengthening risk management practices, and reducing credit risk exposure.
Leadership & People Management
- Participate in the development of departmental operational plans, budgets, and performance objectives.
- Execute departmental plans and monitor performance against key performance indicators (KPIs).
- Provide technical guidance, coaching, and support to team members.
- Participate in recruitment, selection, and onboarding activities for assigned staff.
- Review team outputs and prepare management reports as required.
- Conduct performance evaluations and support employee development initiatives.
- Identify and recommend training and professional development opportunities.
- Manage workload distribution and ensure effective utilization of team resources.
- Perform any other duties assigned by the direct manager.
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business Administration, Accounting, Economics, or a related field.
Preferred
- CBCA (Certified Banking & Credit Analyst) or an equivalent professional certification in credit analysis or risk management.
Experience
- Minimum of 6 years of relevant experience in credit assessment, credit analysis, lending, banking, financial services, or a related field.
- Proven experience in a supervisory or leadership role.
- Strong background in evaluating SME financing applications and credit risk.
- Experience in developing credit recommendations and presenting findings to senior stakeholders.
Knowledge & Technical Expertise
- Credit Assessment & Credit Analysis
- Financial Statement Analysis
- SME Financing
- Credit Risk Evaluation
- Lending & Financing Principles
- Financial Modeling
- Credit Policies & Regulatory Compliance
- Risk Assessment & Mitigation
- Report Writing & Presentation
Core Competencies
- Strategic Thinking
- Influential Decision-Making
- Leadership & Team Development
- Stakeholder Management
- Results Orientation
- Customer Focus
- Change Management
- Innovation & Continuous Improvement
- Analytical Thinking
- Problem Solving
Language Requirements
- Arabic: Fluent
- English: Advanced
