Vice President & Head of Program Lending

Job Overview

Lead SME program lending strategy and execution, developing scalable financing programs and partnerships while balancing growth, portfolio quality, customer experience and risk.

Key Responsibilities

• Define the SME lending-program strategy in line with growth objectives and risk appetite.
• Identify target SME segments and develop financing programs such as supplier finance, microfinance and embedded lending.
• Build partnerships with anchor corporates, fintechs, government entities and ecosystem participants.
• Partner with Credit, Risk, Data, Operations and Technology to design eligibility and underwriting frameworks.
• Digitize lending journeys from onboarding through servicing and collections and integrate solutions into digital channels.
• Own business targets, portfolio performance, asset quality and risk-adjusted returns.
• Monitor approval rates, turnaround times, disbursement volumes, delinquency and recovery indicators.
• Lead product and program teams and ensure compliance with CBUAE, AML/CFT and internal governance requirements.

Candidate Requirements

• Extensive experience in SME banking, business banking, commercial lending or program-based finance.
• Demonstrated experience developing and scaling lending products, credit programs or financing ecosystems.
• Strong understanding of credit risk, portfolio management and regulatory governance.
• Leadership experience managing cross-functional teams and strategic external partnerships.
• Digital lending, fintech or embedded-finance experience is highly desirable.

Key Skills

• SME Banking
• Program Lending
• Credit Risk
• Embedded Finance
• Digital Lending
• Portfolio Management
• Partnerships
• Risk-Adjusted Returns
• Leadership

What the Role Offers

This position provides an opportunity to contribute to RAKBANK's banking operations in the UAE while working with business, technology, operations, risk, finance or customer-facing teams relevant to the role. The successful candidate will be expected to maintain high standards of accuracy, customer service, governance, collaboration and professional conduct. Depending on the function, the role may also involve process improvement, digital transformation, analytics, automation, regulatory compliance and cross-functional project work.

Employment Details

• Company: RAKBANK
• Job Title: Vice President & Head of Program Lending
• Location: Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates
• Employment Type: Full Time
• Industry: Banking
• Experience: Not specified
• Qualification: Bachelor Degree

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate should be organized, accountable and comfortable working in a regulated banking environment. Strong communication, analytical thinking and stakeholder coordination are important, along with the ability to prioritize work, meet service levels, protect confidential information and follow documented controls. Candidates should be prepared to work collaboratively and contribute to continuous improvement.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should review the full vacancy details and submit their application through the provided LinkedIn job posting. Applicants should ensure that their CV and supporting information accurately reflect the qualifications and experience requested for the position.