Chief Credit Officer (CCO) – Banking

About the role

The bank is seeking an experienced Chief Credit Officer to lead its Credit function, focusing on Corporate and SME lending. Reporting directly to the CEO, the CCO will shape credit strategy, ensure robust governance, and drive portfolio quality in a developing banking environment.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the overall Credit function with emphasis on Corporate and SME segments.
• Develop and enforce credit strategy, risk appetite, underwriting standards and approval frameworks.
• Oversee the full credit lifecycle: appraisal, approval, monitoring, restructuring and recovery.
• Strengthen credit policies, SOPs, delegation matrices and governance structures.
• Manage portfolio quality, concentrations, watchlists and stressed/NPL exposures.
• Enhance early warning systems, credit MIS and portfolio analytics.
• Provide independent credit perspectives to senior management and the Board.
• Address audit and regulatory observations related to credit.
• Lead, coach and mentor the Credit team to build sustainable local capability.

Required profile

• Significant senior credit or credit‑risk leadership experience within banking.
• Previous role as Chief Credit Officer, Head of Credit or equivalent.
• Strong background in Corporate and SME lending.
• Deep expertise in underwriting, financial analysis, portfolio management, collateral, provisioning and problem‑loan management.
• Experience managing both performing and stressed portfolios.
• Frontier‑market or emerging‑market exposure preferred.
• Understanding of Islamic finance or Sharia‑compliant financing is an advantage.
• Excellent stakeholder‑management skills with ability to engage CEOs, Boards, regulators and auditors.

Required skills

• Underwriting
• Financial analysis
• Portfolio management
• Collateral assessment
• Provisioning
• Problem‑loan management