Head of Risk – SME Lending

Key Responsibilities Assess the qualitative and quantitative risks associated with prospective SME borrowers and recommend appropriate credit decisions based on financial analysis, business performance, repayment capacity, and risk exposure. Lead the development and implementation of credit risk policies, procedures, risk appetite frameworks, credit scoring methodologies, and approval authorities. Identify, assess, measure, and mitigate credit, portfolio, operational, and other relevant risks, establishing appropriate controls and contingency plans. Monitor the performance and quality of the SME lending portfolio, identifying early warning indicators and implementing measures to prevent or reduce non-performing loans (NPLs). Develop and maintain portfolio monitoring frameworks, concentration limits, risk grading systems, and risk mitigation strategies. Review credit applications, annual credit reviews, and pending credit facilities requiring approval or clearance by the relevant committees. Assess portfolio provisions and impairment indicators to ensure their adequacy in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements and accounting standards. Monitor portfolio concentrations by sector, borrower, product, and other relevant risk dimensions, ensuring compliance with approved limits and risk appetite. Prepare and present periodic credit risk reports, portfolio performance analyses, emerging risk assessments, and mitigation recommendations to senior management and the Risk Committee. Conduct portfolio-level stress testing, scenario analysis, sensitivity analysis, and risk forecasting to evaluate resilience under adverse economic and market conditions. Ensure the completeness and adequacy of credit documentation, collateral arrangements, guarantees, and contractual conditions, coordinating with Legal and other relevant functions where necessary. Oversee the effectiveness of collection-related risk controls and monitor collection performance and operating costs in coordination with the relevant teams. Establish and maintain risk management policies and procedures, ensuring regular updates and effective communication across the organization. Ensure compliance with applicable FRA regulations, Egyptian laws, internal policies, and relevant regulatory requirements governing SME financing and non-bank financial institutions. Support the development and enhancement of digital lending processes, automated credit decisioning, credit scoring models, and data-driven underwriting solutions. Work closely with Business, Credit, Collections, Finance, Compliance, and Technology teams to balance prudent risk management with business growth and operational efficiency. Keep abreast of developments in SME lending, credit risk methodologies, regulatory requirements, and financial technology to improve decision-making quality and consistency. Qualifications & Requirements Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, or a related discipline. A postgraduate degree or relevant professional certification in Risk Management, Credit, or Finance is an advantage. Minimum 12 years of relevant professional experience in credit risk, risk management, or lending within the financial services sector. Substantial hands-on experience in SME lending and credit risk management, preferably within a non-bank financial institution (NBFI), SME financing company, or fintech-enabled lending business. Proven experience in a senior risk management position, with the ability to establish risk frameworks, lead teams, and communicate effectively with senior management and board-level committees. Strong expertise in SME credit underwriting, financial statement analysis, cash flow assessment, creditworthiness evaluation, credit scoring, and credit approval frameworks. Demonstrated experience in managing lending portfolios, monitoring asset quality, controlling NPLs, and implementing early warning and remedial action mechanisms. Strong knowledge of portfolio risk measurement, provisioning assessment, concentration risk, stress testing, scenario analysis, and risk reporting. Good understanding of collateral assessment, guarantees, credit documentation, and the enforceability of credit protection mechanisms. Sound knowledge of the Egyptian SME financing market, applicable FRA regulations, and the regulatory framework governing non-bank financial institutions and digital financing activities. Experience in developing risk policies, risk appetite statements, credit authority matrices, portfolio limits, and effective monitoring controls. Strong analytical, quantitative, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with the ability to balance risk mitigation with commercial objectives. Excellent leadership, communication, stakeholder management, and team development capabilities. Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and risk reporting tools; familiarity with portfolio analytics and credit risk modelling is an advantage. Preferred Qualifications Previous experience working with a fintech lending platform or technology-enabled SME financing business. Exposure to digital loan origination, automated credit decisioning, alternative data, digital onboarding, and data-driven underwriting models. Experience implementing or enhancing credit scoring systems and portfolio analytics to improve the speed, consistency, and quality of lending decisions. Familiarity with fraud risk controls and risk monitoring throughout the digital lending lifecycle. Show more Show less