Director Loan Portfolio Management

Job Purpose

The Director, Loan Portfolio Management is responsible for the end-to-end management of a loan portfolio, combining active portfolio optimisation with full ownership of ongoing loan portfolio management activities across the existing book. The role is hands-on and execution-focused, with accountability for improving risk-adjusted returns, optimising balance sheet usage, and ensuring robust monitoring, control and performance of the loan portfolio across the full loan life cycle.

Key Accountabilities

Portfolio Ownership and Optimisation

• Personally manage a defined loan portfolio, maintaining name-level understanding of material exposures, returns, concentrations and risk profile.
• Execute portfolio actions including reductions, exits, restructurings, amendments and secondary loan transactions.
• Identify and manage deteriorating or low-return exposures, taking timely and decisive mitigating action.
• Evaluate the ongoing performance of existing loans and ensure alignment with portfolio and balance sheet objectives.
• Monitor industry and sector developments and communicate implications for portfolio exposures.
  
  

Loan Portfolio Management – Existing Book

• Lead and coordinate waiver and amendment processes in conjunction with Coverage, Credit, Legal and Agents/clients as applicable.
• Attend client meetings / calls / site visits as appropriate.
• Oversee covenant monitoring, including covenant tracking and timely escalation of issues.
• Act as a lead contributor from Loan Portfolio Management in Annual Reviews and Annual Credit Reviews, including preparation, analysis and challenge.
• Ensure effective ongoing monitoring of the loan book, including early warning indicators, watchlists and risk grading.
• Be responsible for the timely and accurate preparation of portfolio and credit reports for senior management and governance forums.
  
  

Balance Sheet, Risk, Credit and Stakeholder Management

• Provide clear, decision-ready recommendations to support balance sheet approvals, renewals and annual reviews.
• Manage concentrated exposures, anticipate and mitigate credit deterioration, and maximise risk-adjusted returns within economic and regulatory constraints.
• Challenge origination and coverage where proposed transactions are misaligned with portfolio objectives, capital discipline or risk appetite.
• Monitor deal / loan portfolio returns and flag low returning transactions / groups / sectors
• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with key internal stakeholders, including Coverage, Origination, Credit Risk, CAD, Loan Agency, Legal and Compliance.
• Support the Head of Loan Portfolio Management on portfolio-wide initiatives, KPI delivery, budgeting, reporting and business planning.
  
  

Portfolio Transformation, Systems & Strategic Initiatives

• Actively contribute to the transformation of the Loan Portfolio Management function, including enhancement of portfolio processes, analytics, systems and controls.
• Generate practical ideas and proposals to improve portfolio oversight, risk management, reporting and decision‑ making, drawing on hands‑ on portfolio experience.
• Support the design, testing and implementation of enhancements to the LPM system and related tools, ensuring solutions are fit‑ for‑ purpose and embedded in day‑ to‑ day portfolio management.
• Participate in project workstreams, initiatives and change programmes sponsored by the Head of Loan Portfolio Management and senior management.
• Act as a key delivery partner, helping translate strategic objectives into executable changes across the portfolio management framework.
• Act as a role model for best‑ in‑ class Loan Portfolio Management practices, helping uplift capability, discipline and execution standards across the wider LPM team.
• Support the development of the broader team through knowledge sharing, coaching and leadership by example, ensuring consistent application of portfolio management frameworks and risk discipline.
• Act as a change agent, helping embed new processes, tools and ways of working into day‑ to‑ day portfolio management activities across the team.
  
  

Role Scope

The Director owns a defined loan portfolio and is accountable for both portfolio optimisation and the ongoing management of the existing loan book. The role requires independent judgment, hands-on execution, and escalation of complex or sensitive matters where appropriate.

Qualifications & Experience

• Significant experience in loan portfolio management, credit risk or active asset management within wholesale banking or private credit.
• Demonstrated experience managing existing loan portfolios, including waivers, amendments, covenants, annual reviews and credit monitoring.
• Proven track record of executing portfolio actions and managing deteriorating or problem credits.
• Strong understanding of loan structures, credit risk, capital usage and portfolio trade-offs.
• Sound understanding of corporate financials, legal concepts and loan mechanics, with first-hand experience of documenting loan transactions.
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to present clear, well-reasoned recommendations to senior stakeholders.
• Ability to work under pressure, manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality output to tight deadlines.
• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business or a related discipline; MBA and/or professional qualification (e.g. CFA) advantageous.
• 12+ years’ relevant experience in the banking sector, including at least 5 years in corporate loan markets with portfolio management responsibilities.
• Fluent in English with strong written and verbal communication skills; Arabic language skills advantageous.
• Strong awareness of UAE, regional and international markets.
• P&L responsibility.

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