Relationship Manager SME

About the Organization

Established as Tanzania's longest-standing bank with over fifty years of operation, NBC offers various banking services including retail, business, corporate, investment banking, and wealth management products.

Role Overview

The Relationship Manager SME supports the Head of SME Banking in achieving revenue and productivity goals while ensuring outstanding client service. The role involves leading and managing a performance-driven team of Relationship Officers (ROs), overseeing application processing from approval to disbursement, and fostering strong customer and internal stakeholder relationships.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and assist a team of ROs in meeting agreed asset growth targets by promoting a broad array of products and services to SME clientele.
• Drive business expansion by engaging with SME customers, high-net-worth individuals, and prospective clients.
• Monitor team sales and performance using daily scorecards, monthly operational reviews, call reports, and sales pipelines.
• Manage client application processes efficiently to ensure satisfactory returns and timely attention in collaboration with product specialists and departments.
• Promote compliance with KYC, AML, financial sanctions, and business prohibition policies in coordination with the Risk Department.
• Organize and oversee SME Lending Forum meetings to review credit activities, align customer acquisition with risk parameters, and address non-performing clients proactively.
• Provide direct leadership, motivation, and recognition to Relationship Officers, fostering ownership and high productivity standards.
• Develop strategic annual resource plans in partnership with business banking leadership and support talent management initiatives including recruitment, training, performance appraisal, and disciplinary actions.
• Enhance client service by coaching Relationship Officers, managing customer complaints records, coordinating inter-departmental efforts, and utilizing client feedback to refine product offerings.
• Participate in performance and knowledge-sharing sessions, engage key clients for complex consultations, and ensure service excellence across branches.
• Oversee risk, control, and compliance functions by ensuring portfolio reviews, documentation standards, audit adherence, incident management, and controlling non-performing assets within regulatory guidelines.
• Manage budgets related to network expenses and enforce financial crime prevention measures.
• Maintain awareness and compliance with policy changes, support self-development, complete critical trainings, and lead organizational change initiatives within the cluster.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree, Advanced Diploma, or equivalent in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, or related disciplines.
• Minimum of 5 years’ leadership experience within SME banking or related sectors.

Skills and Knowledge

• Proven leadership and team development capabilities.
• Strategic planning and forward-looking business acumen.
• Effective communication and presentation proficiency.
• Strong financial analysis and credit appraisal expertise.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Capability in stakeholder engagement and networking.
• Decision-making, problem-solving, and negotiation skills.
• Experience in operational and risk management.
• Ability to drive customer experience and commercial effectiveness.
• Familiarity with banking environments in emerging markets and change management.
• Competency with PC and digital tools.

Additional Information

This role includes responsibility for managing disciplinary and grievance procedures, encouraging a performance-driven culture, and supporting continuous improvement in service delivery and operational risk management. The candidate will also liaise widely across departments to deliver integrated client-focused solutions and ensure compliance with all company and regulatory standards.