Business Manager, Retail SME (Rivers)

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Business Manager, Retail SME

Location: Port Harcourt, Rivers
Grade: SBO - DM

Job Overview

• Responsible for business/team growth, profitability, sales, service delivery, and personnel management in line with assigned budgets and the Access Way.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive customer engagement through physical and digital channels
• Collaborate with Risk, Credit, Operations, and other stakeholders
• Build and maintain a strong pipeline of qualified SME prospects
• Contribute to budget planning and execution
• Lead and supervise SME Relationship Officers/Account Officers
• Prepare and present SME unit performance reports (weekly/monthly)
• Conduct market and industry scans to identify viable SME opportunities
• Monitor profitability, cost-to-income ratio, and cost of risk
• Conduct periodic performance reviews and coaching sessions
• Review, structure, and recommend SME credit facilities
• Drive SME portfolio growth through targeted acquisition strategies
• Manage relationships with key SME clients (top-tier and growth accounts)
• Drive achievement of loan, deposit, and revenue targets
• Improve customer retention and wallet share growth
• Foster a high-performing SME-focused sales culture
• Manage the SME loan portfolio to ensure quality and performance

Qualifications & Experience

• A good first Degree in any discipline. A Master’s degree and/or professional qualification will be an added advantage
• 6–8 years’ experience in banking, with strong exposure to SME sales and relationship management, including at least 2 years in a supervisory/team lead role.

Skills / Competencies:
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• At least 2 years in a supervisory or team lead role
• In-depth knowledge of credit risk analysis, financial statement interpretation, and lending regulations
• Ability to structure and negotiate SME credit facilities
• Strong credit and financial analysis skills
• Good understanding of key SME sectors (trade, manufacturing, services, agriculture, etc.)
• Strong customer relationship management skills
• Strong business development and management capability
• Strong understanding of SME products, credit processes, and portfolio management

Generic Skills:

• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop teams
• High level of initiative, accountability, and ownership
• Conflict resolution and team-building skills