Relationship Manager – SME Banking
Stanbic Bank Kenya
Quick Take
You will manage and grow a portfolio of SME clients by structuring credit and working capital solutions, cross-selling banking products, and maintaining healthy portfolio credit quality.
At least 5 years of SME banking experience, strong credit analysis and deal structuring skills, and a proven track record of growing and retaining client portfolios.
A competitive above-market salary of KES 140,000–220,000/month at one of Africa's most reputable banking groups, with significant client ownership and commercial impact.
Job Description
Stanbic Bank Kenya is seeking a talented and driven Relationship Manager to join its SME Banking division in Nairobi. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced banking professional to take ownership of a portfolio of small and medium-sized enterprise clients, driving growth while delivering tailored financial solutions that meet the unique needs of each business.
In this role, you will serve as the primary point of contact for your client portfolio, building long-term relationships founded on trust, deep financial insight, and a thorough understanding of SME business dynamics. You will be expected to balance new business acquisition with the retention and deepening of existing client relationships.
- Actively grow and retain a designated portfolio of SME business clients
- Structure appropriate credit facilities and working capital solutions tailored to individual client needs
- Identify and pursue cross-selling opportunities across transactional banking, trade finance, and insurance product lines
- Continuously monitor the credit quality of your portfolio and proactively manage associated risks
- A minimum of five years of hands-on experience in SME banking
- Strong analytical ability in credit assessment and deal structuring
- A demonstrated history of successfully growing and managing client portfolios
This position is best suited for a seasoned banking professional who thrives in a client-facing environment and has a genuine passion for supporting the growth of small and medium-sized businesses. The ideal candidate is commercially minded, highly organised, and capable of managing multiple client relationships simultaneously without compromising on service quality. You should be comfortable navigating credit processes, identifying business opportunities, and presenting financial solutions confidently to business owners and key decision-makers. A self-starter attitude, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to work within a fast-paced, target-driven environment will be critical to your success in this role.
Interested and qualified candidates are encouraged to apply for this position through Stanbic Bank Kenya's official recruitment channels. Ensure that your application clearly highlights your SME banking experience, credit analysis capabilities, and any measurable achievements in portfolio growth. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Requirements Breakdown
Must Have
- 5+ years of experience in SME banking or business banking
- Strong credit analysis and deal structuring skills
- Proven track record of growing and retaining a client portfolio
- Experience with working capital solutions and trade finance products
- Ability to monitor portfolio credit quality and manage associated risks
Nice to Have
- Experience cross-selling insurance and transactional banking products
- Existing network of SME clients in the Nairobi market
- Professional qualification such as ACIB, CPA, or CFA
- Familiarity with Stanbic or Standard Bank Group systems and credit frameworks
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Salary Context
Above market rate for a Relationship Manager – SME Banking in Nairobi
Relationship Managers in SME banking in Nairobi typically earn between KES 100,000 and KES 180,000 per month, making this range — especially at the upper end of KES 220,000 — notably competitive. Pay in this field is heavily influenced by the size of the portfolio managed, the seniority of the role, and the tier of the bank, with Tier 1 banks like Stanbic commanding premium compensation.
About Stanbic Bank Kenya
Stanbic Bank Kenya is a subsidiary of Standard Bank Group, Africa's largest bank by assets, with a presence in over 20 African countries. In Kenya, Stanbic offers a full suite of corporate, business, and personal banking services with a strong focus on trade finance, infrastructure, and SME development. Working at Stanbic provides exposure to pan-African banking networks, robust internal development programmes, and the prestige of one of the continent's most established financial institutions.
Likely Interview Questions
- 1
Walk us through how you have grown an SME portfolio from acquisition to full relationship management — what was your approach?
- 2
Describe a credit deal you structured for an SME client. What was the complexity, and how did you manage the risk?
- 3
How do you identify cross-sell opportunities within an existing SME client base without damaging the relationship?
- 4
Tell us about a time a client in your portfolio showed signs of credit deterioration. How did you detect it early and what actions did you take?
- 5
How do you prioritise your time when managing a large portfolio of SME clients with competing needs and deadlines?
Application Tips
Quantify your portfolio performance on your CV — include metrics such as portfolio size (KES value), number of clients managed, year-on-year growth percentages, or NPL ratios you maintained.
Highlight specific credit products you have structured, such as overdrafts, invoice discounting, LPO financing, or trade finance facilities, to demonstrate technical depth.
Showcase any cross-sell achievements — for example, clients you converted from single-product to multi-product relationships — as this signals commercial acumen that directly aligns with the role's mandate.
Career Path
Roles that lead here
Where this leads
Skills & Keywords
Honest Assessment
Green Flags
- Salary range is transparent and sits above the Nairobi market average for this role, signalling respect for candidate time and competitive intent.
- Stanbic Bank Kenya is a Tier 1 bank backed by Standard Bank Group, offering strong brand credibility, career development infrastructure, and pan-African exposure.
- The role offers genuine commercial ownership — managing your own portfolio means direct accountability and visibility, which accelerates career progression.
- The breadth of the role (credit, trade finance, insurance, transactional banking) ensures continuous skill development across multiple product lines.
Watch Out
- The job description does not mention team support structures, such as credit analysts or relationship officers, which could mean the RM is expected to handle both origination and administration independently — a heavy workload.
- No mention of benefits, bonus structure, or commission on portfolio growth, which are standard incentives in relationship banking roles and worth clarifying before accepting an offer.
A Day in the Life
A typical week starts with reviewing your portfolio dashboard to flag any clients with upcoming loan maturities, covenant breaches, or unusual transaction patterns, followed by client visits or calls to deepen relationships and identify new financing needs. Mid-week, you might be preparing a credit application for a manufacturing SME seeking a KES 15M overdraft facility, coordinating with the credit team and presenting the deal for approval. By Friday, you're likely attending a pipeline review with your line manager, following up on cross-sell referrals to the trade finance desk, and updating your CRM with client interaction notes to keep your portfolio records current.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications do I need to be a Relationship Manager – SME Banking at Stanbic Bank Kenya?
You need a minimum of 5 years of SME banking experience, strong credit analysis and deal structuring skills, and a demonstrated track record of growing client portfolios. A relevant degree in finance, business, or economics is typically expected for roles at this level.
Is the Relationship Manager – SME Banking role at Stanbic Bank Kenya remote or office-based?
The role is based in Nairobi with no remote or hybrid arrangement mentioned, and the nature of SME relationship management — which involves regular client visits and in-person credit discussions — means it is likely predominantly field and office-based.
How much does a Relationship Manager – SME Banking earn at Stanbic Bank Kenya?
The posted salary range is KES 140,000 to KES 220,000 per month, which is above the typical Nairobi market rate for this role. The actual offer within this range will likely depend on your years of experience, portfolio track record, and negotiation.
What are the career growth opportunities for a Relationship Manager – SME Banking at Stanbic Bank Kenya?
Strong performers typically progress to Senior Relationship Manager or Team Leader roles within SME or Corporate Banking, with longer-term paths into Head of Business Banking or sector-specialist coverage roles. Stanbic's pan-African footprint also opens doors to regional opportunities within the Standard Bank Group.
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