Manager Client Relations

The role is supposed to help the Bank to achieve its mission “stimulating a consistent expansion of and diversification of African trade so as to rapidly increase Africa’s share of global trade, while operating as a first class, profit oriented, socially responsible financial institution and a centre of excellence in African trade matters” by developing opportunities for business development in trade projects and export development finance at the regional level.

Key Responsibilities

1. Preliminary review of clients’ requests/proposals to ensure they meet the Bank’s eligibility criteria, culture and industry trends;
2. Implements client coverage for a given portfolio of clients with deliberate cultivation based on proactive individualised plans. These plans would be developed in coordination with the product teams and should be designed to increase client engagement;
3. Implements regional service coverage for provision of an impeccable client service to each client or government organisation. This includes timely turn around in terms of responses to client inquiries;
4. Works with other team members across the Bank’s products and geographies to ensure timely transaction processing;
5. Generate bankable leads through anticipating customer needs and finding out what information, products or services the customer requires to meet his/her needs, providing clear, accurate and relevant information;
6. Ensuring a strong working knowledge of client portfolios / products with the Bank;
7. Resolving customers’ queries within agreed authority;
8. Producing call reports and file notes after any client meetings, summarising any additional actions required, including follow-up calls and reviewing call reports produced by team members;
9. Sales activity planning, including reviewing existing customer files to identify sales opportunities.
10. Undertaking commercial negotiations;
11. Managing new business pitches;
12. Compliance with legal requirements, industry regulations, organisational policies and professional codes;
13. Assisting in the preparation of annual Regional Strategic and Marketing Plans derived from the Bank’s Strategic Plan for Management’s Approval;
14. Preparing new business Pre-Assessment Memos and Credit Proposals from the region, Product teams and Head Office and making recommendations on the same to the Regional Manager and Director, Client Relations;
15. Where required, representing the Bank in high level meetings, making presentations in conformity with the high standards for which the Bank has become known;
16. Maintaining and improving the Bank’s image across the continent; and
17. Performing any other duties as may be assigned by Senior Management from time to time.
18. Ensure the review, analysis and sensitivities of supporting Financial Statements, projections, Financial Models (English & French);
19. Ensure the collection of information and development of Basic Information Reports, sector/ industry update.
20. Ensure the development of indicative term sheets, Pre-Assessment Memos, Credit Application Memos under the supervision of SM CLRE/RCOO CEAF, Credit Assessment Manager and Product Specialists Teams.
21. Ensure development of terms of reference, RfPs for relevant technical, commercial, insurance and environmental due diligence for requested facility under the supervision of Non-Regional Managers / Senior Managers and Product teams;
22. Build strong relationships with Regional Banks, Regional Corporates operating in Trade Finance, Intra-African Trade, Regional Development Finance Institutions, Investment Houses.
23. Assist in the creation of Marketing and Account plans to address clients’ business needs and increase business development.
24. Ensuring a strong knowledge of the Bank’s products, Economic Drivers in the Region, regulatory environment;
25. Monitoring the performance of portfolio credits through review of triggers, discussing and taking appropriate actions on all identified deviations on assigned credit portfolio
26. Manage onboarding, KYC initiation/renewal and the account opening processes with the relevant Client Managers.
27. Other duties - Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the RCOO CEAF / GMD-CLRE and Bank Management.
28. Compliance Responsibilities

Compliance Responsibilities

● Understand and adhere to the Bank's AML, Regulatory and Conduct Compliance policies and procedures, notably:

• Staff Handbook (has code of conduct provisions)
• Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Counter Financing of Terrorism and Counter Proliferation Financing
• Conflicts of Interest and Policies on Staff Involvement in External Engagements/Activities
• Anti-Bribery & Corruption
• Insider Trading Guidelines
• Report any suspicious or non-compliant activities or matters relating to the Bank’s staff or the customers to the Compliance Department.
• Complete the Annual Compliance Training/Assessment.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Banking, Finance or another relevant field from a recognised University
• Master’s degree in business administration, Banking, Finance or another relevant field from a recognised University.
• Demonstrable analytical, sales, organisational and planning skills.
• Exceptionally good at Excel, Spreadsheet analyst etc. with high ability to produce and analyse all the data for all the Committees.
• Professional other Microsoft Office skills: Word and PowerPoint
• Demonstrable proficiency in English and French
• Previous experience in providing support, managing relationships.
• Fair knowledge of the African Market and its Business needs
• Good knowledge of the mechanics of trade instruments such as letters of credit, bills of exchange, IRUs and trade related guarantees.
• Previous experience on-boarding client perform initial screening and KYC assessment.
• Preliminary Financial Analysis Skills
• Good research and analytical skills with an ability to produce high standard reports
• Experienced with the Salesforce or similar CRM platforms
• Ability to communicate and function in a culturally diverse and change oriented setting with good knowledge of banking practices in Africa

Years & Nature of Experience

• Minimum of 8 years’ working experience in a similar role or a job
• Preferably previous experience in the financial services industry or international organisation.

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

• Ability to communicate and function in a culturally diverse and change-oriented setting.
• Innovativeness, resourcefulness and ability to learn quickly.
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, French and preferably Arabic.
• Excellent computer skills in MS Word, PowerPoint and Excel, Salesforce (or any CRM tool) and in SAP.
• Excellent Time keeping skills and ability to put in extra hours as may be required.
• Excellent customer service skills and willingness to devote extra time to work where required.
• Ability to work under minimum supervision and to multitask.
• High level of integrity and confidentiality.
• Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondences and memos, and to draft ready to go memos and reports.

Behavioural Competencies

• Afreximbank’s Core Values:
• Commitment to Africa and supporting the emancipation and empowerment of Africans
• Uncompromising integrity
• Passion for Learning and Drive
• Teamwork
• Trust and Respect for the Individual
• Innovation, Excellence and Flexibility
• Professionalism and Responsiveness