The Operations Manager will be responsible for overseeing a sizeable fund dedicated to Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) . The Operations Manager will oversee a team of credit officers, business development / sales assistants, compliance officers and other team members to ensure the strong performance of the fund. Duties will involve creating, implementing, monitoring and continuously improving the systems and processes that will govern lending through assessments, credit underwriting, disbursements, loan administration and collections. Please note that this is a hybrid Operations and Risk/Credit role which requires someone with the capability to oversee a new business.

Frontier Capital Partners (FCP) a Zambian-based investment firm deploying funds raised from U.S. and Zambian based investors. Frontier Capital Partners (FCP) is focused on deploying capital in strategic sectors including financial services, real estate, energy and agriculture. In addition, FCP maintains a portfolio of early-stage venture investments. FCP’s investment thesis is rooted in taking advantage of the macrotrends of GDP growth, population growth and urbanization to create and capture value.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

• Drive recruitment strategy and interview process for junior team member
• Oversee operational team and provide regular updates to Managing Partners
• Be responsible for disbursement and collection performance of the SME loan book
• Draft and implement key standard operating procedures (SOPs) and policy manuals for the Fund
• Develop and monitor credit issuance procedures in a manner that maximizes output and minimizes risk
• Oversee reporting and performance metrics communications to the Managing Partners
• Oversee the roll-out, testing, usage and maintenance of the loan management system (LMS) platform
• Manage the client engagement process from application and facility approval to monitoring until collection
• Lead the relationship management process alongside Business Development team with key institutions and organizations that are a source of clientele for the Firm
• Supervise client interaction and ensure attentive and effective service to SME clients
• Guide and support team members in their daily activities with a view to achieving key performance indicators
• Make recommendations on procedural/ policy changes or adjustments

Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the Managing Partners

MINIMUM ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

The following are the minimum entry requirements for the role

Education & Experience:

• Seven years’ minimum of work experience in banking and/or financial institutions with at least 3 years’ departmental experience in a Risk or Credit department
• Proficient in loan management systems and financial software
• Core competencies in risk and credit as well as operations
• Candidates with experience working with SMEs will be prioritized
• Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or related field
• A Master’s Degree will be an added advantage

Skills/Competencies

• Excellent understanding of lending operations
• Excellent understanding of credit underwriting
• Excellent leadership skills
• Excellent analytical skills
• Excellent attention to detail
• Excellent organizational skills and capacity to work under pressure
• Strong Microsoft Office skills (Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
• Strong communication (written and oral) and listening skills

Personal Attributes

• Capable of maintaining the highest level of corporate confidentiality
• Proactive and self-motivated
• A self-starter with a high propensity towards taking initiative
• Committed to finding answers and solutions
• Highly organized
• Naturally interested in finance and lending

COMPENSATION

Remuneration will be competitive against comparable positions with blue-chip companies.