Title: Senior Manager - Credit Risk
Location: Muscat, Oman
About the Client
Our client is a highly regarded international bank with a well-established platform in Oman. As it continues to build out its local Risk function, it is looking for a Senior Manager - Credit Risk to lead the independent review of lending decisions across its wholesale and retail businesses. You will manage a credit team and work closely with senior Risk leadership. The role would suit a seasoned credit specialist who brings sharp analytical judgement, strong people leadership and a collaborative approach to working with the business.
Key Responsibilities
- Act as the independent credit voice on corporate lending requests, and on any retail applications that require exceptions, signing off within your approval limits or referring them upward with a clear view.
- Produce in-depth credit evaluations that weigh up the borrower’s profile, sector and jurisdiction exposure, financial strength, repayment ability and security package, and determine the appropriate internal risk grade.
- Propose practical ways to strengthen weaker proposals, such as enhanced collateral, revised structures or tighter covenants, and decline exposures that don’t meet the bank’s standards.
- Keep every credit decision consistent with the bank’s risk appetite, internal lending policies and Central Bank of Oman regulations.
- Manage and mentor a team of credit professionals by allocating work, reviewing output, building capability and preparing team members for greater responsibility.
- Work hand in hand with coverage and relationship teams so that credit applications move efficiently and agreed service timelines are met.
- Help shape and monitor performance measures for the function, and look for opportunities to make credit processes leaner and more effective.
- Represent the credit function in dealings with regulators, auditors and Compliance, and drive timely resolution of any issues they raise.
- Promote a robust risk and control culture, supporting operational risk, conduct and governance frameworks, and help deliver credit training to business colleagues.
Key Requirements
- A degree in a numerate or business discipline such as Finance, Economics or Mathematics. A postgraduate degree or a recognised professional qualification (CFA, PRM or CPA) would be advantageous.
- 8+ years in a large banking environment, including at least 2 years leading or supervising people within credit risk.
- Strong corporate credit analysis background, with confidence in interpreting financial statements, cash flows and sector dynamics.
- Good working knowledge of Basel principles, IFRS, banking products and financial markets. Familiarity with credit modelling, VaR or other quantitative risk tools would be a plus.
- An effective leader and communicator, fluent in English with Arabic a strong advantage, who can handle large data sets and challenge the business constructively.
