Head of Retail Credit Risk.Head of Retail Credit Management.Credit Management

• Lead and manage the end-to-end Retail Credit Risk function, encompassing Credit Policy formulation, Underwriting, Portfolio Risk Management, Fraud Risk Controls, Credit Decisioning Systems, and Quality Assurance across all retail lending products, including unsecured loans and secured lending.
• Ensure sustainable and profitable growth of the Retail Asset Portfolio, delivering stable performance and maintaining risk charge and delinquencies within the approved risk appetite, while optimizing risk-adjusted returns.
• Drive strategic digitization and automation of credit processes, enhancing customer experience, underwriting efficiency, and portfolio monitoring through AI/ML tools, real-time analytics, and digital decision engines.

Maintain strong governance and regulatory compliance, ensuring full alignment with UAE Central Bank regulations and local market practices, and providing expert guidance on credit-related regulatory matters and emerging risks

1. Retail Credit Portfolio Management

• Ensure healthy growth of the retail credit portfolio in alignment with the bank’s strategic objectives and risk appetite.
• Monitor portfolio performance metrics (delinquency, NPLs, write-offs, etc.).
• Identify trends, segmental risks, and opportunities for portfolio diversification.
• Continuously review product-wise and segment-wise exposure to optimize returns and manage concentration risk.

2. Credit Policy & Governance

• Own and regularly update credit policies, underwriting standards, and product programs in line with regulatory requirements, market conditions, and internal strategy.
• Ensure alignment of policies with UAE Central Bank regulations, IFRS 9 standards, and the bank’s internal risk frameworks.
• Provide guidance on exception management and escalation protocols.

3. Credit Decision-Making & Underwriting Oversight

• Provide expert-level credit decisioning support for high-value or complex cases.
• Lead and manage the credit underwriting function to ensure adherence to TAT, quality, and compliance KPIs.
• Ensure prudent judgment in balancing risk and business growth and provide mentorship to underwriting teams.

4. Risk Appetite & Risk Charge Management

• Align retail credit growth with the bank’s defined risk appetite and ensure optimal risk-adjusted returns.
• Collaborate with finance and risk functions to manage the Expected Credit Loss (ECL) and overall risk charge.
• Ensure credit risk models are reflective of the portfolio and updated with real-time data and macroeconomic variables.

5. Digitization & Automation of Credit Processes

• Drive digital transformation initiatives within the credit function, including automated decision engines, digital onboarding, and AI/ML-based risk assessment tools.
• Partner with IT and fintech providers to improve customer journey, reduce TAT, and enhance credit accuracy through analytics and alternative data.
• Promote self-service, straight-through-processing (STP), and paperless credit applications.

6. Regulatory Compliance & Local Market Expertise

• Ensure compliance with all local regulations, circulars, and guidance from the UAE Central Bank and other applicable authorities.
• Stay abreast of legal frameworks, credit bureau practices (e.g., AECB), and emerging regulatory risks.
• Represent the bank in regulatory discussions, industry forums, and consultations.

7. Product & Business Support

• Work closely with retail product teams to support the design and roll-out of consumer lending products (e.g., personal loans, auto loans, credit cards, mortgages).
• Provide inputs on product pricing, target markets, and customer acquisition strategies from a credit risk perspective.

8. Portfolio Analytics & MIS Reporting

• Deliver timely and accurate credit MIS, analytics, and portfolio health reports to senior management and board committees.
• Leverage data to identify emerging risks, fraud patterns, and credit loss trends.
• Drive usage of analytics in policy refinement and strategic planning.

9. Team Leadership & Development

• Lead a team of credit professionals, underwriters, and policy specialists with a strong focus on performance, integrity, and capability building.
• Conduct regular training programs to upskill the team on market practices, systems, and regulations.
• Foster a culture of ownership, accountability, and risk awareness.

10. Stakeholder Management & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Act as the key liaison for internal stakeholders including Retail Banking, Risk, Finance, Compliance, Legal, and Audit.
• Collaborate with external stakeholders like credit bureaus, regulators, and industry associations.
• Support the bank’s strategic initiatives (e.g., ESG, sustainability lending, Islamic finance, etc.) from a credit standpoint.

Operating Environment, Framework & Boundaries, Working Relationships

The Head of Retail Credit operates in a highly regulated and competitive environment shaped by evolving customer expectations, digital transformation, and strict UAE Central Bank oversight. The role requires constant adaptation to macroeconomic shifts, local regulatory changes, and emerging credit risks, while ensuring scalable and sustainable portfolio growth.

Operating within the bank’s risk management and governance frameworks, the role is responsible for end-to-end credit lifecycle management, including policy design, underwriting, fraud controls, and digital decisioning. Alignment with internal risk appetite, regulatory guidelines, and strategic objectives is critical to maintaining portfolio quality and capital efficiency.

The role involves extensive collaboration with internal stakeholders such as Retail Banking, Risk, Finance, Legal, and IT, as well as external partners including regulators, credit bureaus, and fintech providers. Strong cross-functional engagement ensures sound credit practices, operational effectiveness, and continued innovation in lending.

Problem Solving

• Strategic Risk Assessment: Quickly identify emerging risks in the retail portfolio and implement proactive mitigation strategies aligned with the bank's risk appetite.
• Policy & Framework Optimization: Continuously refine credit policies and underwriting standards to address market shifts, regulatory changes, and portfolio performance trends.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Leverage advanced analytics and credit MIS to make informed decisions on credit approvals, portfolio adjustments, and risk segmentation.
• Resolution of Complex Credit Cases: Provide expert judgment and balanced solutions for high-value or borderline credit applications while maintaining credit quality.
• Cross-Functional Issue Management: Collaborate effectively with business, risk, operations, and compliance to resolve bottlenecks in the credit lifecycle or loan origination processes.
• System and Process Troubleshooting: Identify and fix inefficiencies or gaps in credit decisioning systems, digital workflows, and automation tools impacting credit quality or turnaround time.
• Regulatory Response Handling: Lead prompt and well-structured responses to regulatory findings, audit observations, or stress test outcomes related to retail credit operations.

Decision Making Authority & Responsibility

• Credit Approval Authority: Exercise final approval rights for high-value or exception-based retail credit applications within delegated authority limits.
• Policy Ownership: Define, approve, and update retail credit policies, underwriting standards, and product-specific credit programs in line with regulatory and business requirements.
• Portfolio Oversight: Take ownership of the overall health and risk profile of the retail credit portfolio, ensuring performance aligns with risk appetite and capital targets.
• Delegation Framework Management: Set and maintain credit approval hierarchies and delegation of authority structures across the retail credit team.
• System & Model Governance: Approve changes to credit decision engines, scoring models, and risk analytics tools to ensure accuracy, compliance, and effectiveness.
• Regulatory Compliance Oversight: Ensure all retail credit practices adhere to UAE Central Bank regulations and lead responses to regulatory audits and inspections.
• Strategic Risk Decisions: Participate in senior-level committees (e.g., Credit Committee, Risk Council) to influence portfolio strategy, product development, and risk-reward trade-offs.

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Business, Economics, or related field; a master’s degree or professional certification is preferred.
• Minimum 15–18 years of experience in retail credit risk, with at least 5 years in a leadership role. Proven expertise in managing credit policies, underwriting, portfolio oversight, and regulatory compliance.
• Deep understanding of UAE Central Bank regulations, credit bureau practices (AECB), and regional retail banking trends. Familiarity with Basel guidelines, IFRS 9, and local legal frameworks related to retail lending.
• Strong capability in risk assessment, portfolio segmentation and maintaining credit quality while supporting business growth targets.
• Skilled in leveraging data analytics, credit scoring models, decision engines, and digital lending tools. Ability to interpret complex data and translate insights into actionable strategies.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams, build high-performing risk functions, and engage effectively with internal and external stakeholders, including regulators and auditors.

Strong judgment and decision-making skills with a strategic mindset to balance risk and growth. Experience in solving complex credit issues and navigating change in fast-paced environments