Relationship Manager, Business Banking

Standard Chartered Bank Kenya Limited is a financial institution that provides a comprehensive range of banking services, including tailored solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The Relationship Manager for Business Banking is tasked with driving client acquisition and deepening relationships within the SME segment. This involves delivering tailored banking solutions, originating and managing high-quality SME accounts, and supporting their business expansion. The role requires adherence to the bank's strategic objectives, maintaining robust operational risk controls, and ensuring compliance with all regulatory standards. Additionally, the manager will identify opportunities to assist business owners with wealth management needs, such as succession planning and family business continuity.

1. Increase the number of active SME clients and expand their share of wallet within the portfolio.
2. Drive growth in both funded and non-funded income through various products like lending, transactional banking, trade finance, and wealth management.
3. Enhance product penetration per client by identifying cross-sell opportunities across core SME banking solutions.
4. Achieve revenue growth while maintaining portfolio quality, adhering to disciplined credit standards, and ensuring strong risk-adjusted returns.
5. Comply with the bank’s operational risk, compliance, and credit governance processes.
6. Deliver exceptional client experience through responsive service, informed advice, and proactive portfolio management.
7. Build and manage a strong client pipeline, follow up on leads, structure opportunities, complete call reports, and efficiently convert business.
8. Develop long-term relationships with business owners and decision-makers by understanding their funding, transaction banking, expansion, and risk management needs, then delivering appropriate solutions.
9. Stay informed about market trends, sector developments, and product capabilities to identify opportunities and provide relevant insights to SME clients.
10. Collaborate closely with the Wealth team to originate, convert, and grow business-owner opportunities in wealth products, focusing on referrals, increasing wallet share, and unlocking succession planning and family business continuity opportunities.

1. Strong knowledge and experience in SME, commercial, corporate, or business banking.
2. Proven relationship management and business development skills with business owners, promoters, and key decision-makers.
3. Good understanding of lending, cash management, trade finance, wealth products, and working capital solutions.
4. Strong market awareness, commercial acumen, and the ability to identify sector-specific opportunities and risks.
5. Ability to work flexibly and agilely in a fast-paced, performance-driven environment.
6. Preference for candidates with investment banking experience, particularly in structuring, advisory, capital raising, or complex deal execution.
7. Ability to operate effectively in an international environment and collaborate across product and coverage teams.
8. Maintains a high standard of personal conduct and consistently demonstrates the bank’s valued behaviours.
9. Proven track record in originating, managing, and growing SME or business banking client relationships.
10. Strong commercial instinct with the ability to identify client needs and translate them into relevant banking and wealth solutions.
11. Strong SME relationship management experience with the ability to identify wealth management opportunities for business owners, including succession planning, family business continuity, and intergenerational wealth conversations.
12. Experience in wealth management serving corporate clients and family businesses, with strong capability in advisory, relationship management, and identifying holistic wealth solutions.
13. Ability to balance revenue delivery with sound credit judgment, compliance discipline, and strong client experience.
14. Confident communicator with the credibility to engage business owners, senior decision-makers, and internal stakeholders effectively.
15. Relevant degree in Business, Finance, Economics, Banking, or a related field.
16. Professional qualifications in banking, credit, corporate finance, or treasury are an added advantage.
17. CISI Qualification is an added advantage.