Director, Loan Portfolio Management

The Director, Loan Portfolio Management is responsible for the end-to-end management of a loan portfolio, combining active management of the underlying loan book (including all post-close activities such as waivers, amendments, covenant and credit health monitoring) and portfolio optimization with full ownership of ongoing loan portfolio management activities across the existing book.

The role is hands-on and execution-focused, with accountability for managing the asset quality, improving risk-adjusted returns, optimizing balance sheet usage, and ensuring robust monitoring, control and performance of the loan portfolio across the full loan life cycle.

The role requires independent judgment, hands-on execution, and escalation of complex or sensitive matters where appropriate.

Key Responsibilities

Loan Portfolio Management – Existing Book

• Lead and coordinate waiver and amendment processes in conjunction with Coverage, Credit, Legal and Agents/clients as applicable.
• 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.
• For loans against credit risk insurance, manage monitoring and coordination with the risk insurance provider for waivers, amendments and adverse risk events.
• Attend client meetings / calls / site visits as appropriate.
  
  

Portfolio Ownership and Optimization

• Personally manage a defined loan portfolio, maintaining name-level understanding of material exposures, returns, concentrations and risk profile.
• Review and recommend 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.
• Manage concentrated exposures, anticipate and mitigate credit deterioration, and maximize risk-adjusted returns within economic and regulatory constraints.
• 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, Credit Admin, Loan Agency, Legal and Compliance.
• Support the Head of Loan Portfolio Management on portfolio-wide initiatives, KPI delivery, budgeting, reporting and business planning.
• Monitor industry and sector developments and communicate implications for portfolio exposures.
  
  

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 Loan Portfolio Management 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 programs 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.
  
  

Frameworks, Boundaries, & Decision-Making Authority

• Functions within the framework and boundaries of Group policies as well as overall organizational and governance frameworks.
• Authorized to take decisions as per the approved authorization matrix.
  
  

Requirements and qualifications: QUIREMENTS / QUALIFICATIONS

• 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
• 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
• Strong awareness of UAE, regional and international markets.
• P&L responsibility.
  
  

Preferred / Beneficial

• MBA and/or professional qualification (e.g. CFA) advantageous.
• Arabic language skills advantageous.