Head of Business Development

We are seeking a dynamic and strategic leader for the dual role of Head of Business Development & Branch Operations. This executive is responsible for driving the growth and innovation of our financial product portfolio while ensuring the operational excellence and profitability of the branch. You will architect customer-centric, compliant financial products for our target market and lead the local team to achieve ambitious commercial and portfolio quality targets. This role is the cornerstone of our mission to combine impactful product innovation with exceptional on-the-ground execution.

Core Responsibilities

1. Product Strategy & Innovation

• Lead the end-to-end product lifecycle for the branch and contribute to organizational portfolio strategy, from ideation and design through launch, scaling, and iterative improvement.

• Conduct market research and customer insight analysis to identify unmet needs within underserved communities, translating them into innovative, affordable, and accessible financial products and services.

• Develop and execute a comprehensive product strategy aligned with the organization’s growth and financial inclusion goals.

• Utilize data analytics to monitor product performance, inform strategic decisions, and prioritize feature enhancements.

2. Business Development & Commercial Leadership

• Own and achieve the branch’s key targets for portfolio growth, disbursement volume, new client acquisition, and profitability.

• Develop and implement the branch’s strategic plan and annual budget, regularly tracking performance against objectives.

• Foster strong relationships with key clients and community stakeholders to drive business retention and expansion.

• Lead local marketing initiatives and cross-selling strategies to maximize client value and market penetration.

3. Branch Operations & Portfolio Management

• Assume full P&L and operational responsibility for the branch, ensuring efficient day-to-day management and superb customer service.

• Maintain exceptional portfolio quality through rigorous credit appraisal, proactive delinquency management, and a zero-tolerance policy on arrears.

• Ensure full compliance with all regulatory standards, internal policies, and risk management frameworks.

• Oversee all branch administrative functions, including reporting, asset custody, office management, and data integrity.

4. Team Leadership & Development

• Recruit, mentor, coach, and motivate a high-performing team of team leaders and sales agents.

• Foster a culture of accountability, professional development, and commitment to customer service and financial inclusion.

• Ensure all staff are thoroughly trained on products, policies, procedures, and ethical conduct.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) / Objectives

• Portfolio Growth: Achieve/exceed set targets for portfolio size and disbursement.

• Portfolio Quality: Maintain Portfolio at Risk (PAR) and delinquency rates within defined thresholds.

• Customer Metrics: Meet targets for new client acquisition, customer retention rate, and satisfaction scores.

• Product Success: Successful launch of new products/features, achieving adoption and profitability goals.

• Operational Excellence: 100% policy and procedural compliance, accurate reporting, and effective cost management.

• Team Performance: Achievement of team sales targets and positive staff development outcomes.

Qualifications & Experience

Essential:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Economics, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in the microfinance or financial services industry, with at least 5 years in a senior role combining product management/business development and branch/operations management.
• Proven track record of designing, launching, and managing successful financial products tailored to low-income or underserved markets.
• Demonstrated expertise in credit risk management, portfolio analysis, and achieving growth targets.
• Strong leadership skills with experience building, training, and leading high-performance sales and operations teams.
• In-depth knowledge of the regulatory environment for financial services.
• Exceptional analytical, strategic planning, and problem-solving skills.
• Superior communication, interpersonal, and stakeholder management abilities.