The Trade Finance & Exports Manager will lead client acquisition, structure export financing solutions, mobilize deposits, and manage portfolio quality and regulatory compliance.
About Umba
Umba is a pan-African digital bank serving customers in both Kenya and Nigeria. Our mission entails providing accessible and cost-effective financial services across Africa, enabling our customers to take charge of their financial well-being. We are committed to seizing a unique opportunity to transform the financial landscape in Africa by harnessing the power of machine learning to develop intelligent, affordable financial products tailored for emerging markets. Our machine learning models are continuously improving, and we leverage AI and automation to deliver banking solutions at the lowest possible cost to our expand in customer base.
Umba is headquartered in Nairobi Kenya. Our primary focus is to offer a comprehensive range of digital banking products through Android, iOS and Web Apps, and we take pride in our culture of consistently surpassing customer expectations, which has fueled our rapid expansion.
Umba acquired a deposit taking microfinance bank in Kenya in 2023, which has now been named Umba Microfinance Bank. The bank has achieved fast growth since launch with average monthly growth rate of 19% and 6x revenue growth in 2024.
Job Summary:
To lead the growth of the trade finance and export business by driving client acquisition, structuring competitive export financing solutions, mobilizing deposits, and ensuring portfolio quality and regulatory compliance.
Responsibilities:
1. Client Acquisition & Export Growth
Umba is a pan-African digital bank serving customers in both Kenya and Nigeria. Our mission entails providing accessible and cost-effective financial services across Africa, enabling our customers to take charge of their financial well-being. We are committed to seizing a unique opportunity to transform the financial landscape in Africa by harnessing the power of machine learning to develop intelligent, affordable financial products tailored for emerging markets. Our machine learning models are continuously improving, and we leverage AI and automation to deliver banking solutions at the lowest possible cost to our expand in customer base.
Umba is headquartered in Nairobi Kenya. Our primary focus is to offer a comprehensive range of digital banking products through Android, iOS and Web Apps, and we take pride in our culture of consistently surpassing customer expectations, which has fueled our rapid expansion.
Umba acquired a deposit taking microfinance bank in Kenya in 2023, which has now been named Umba Microfinance Bank. The bank has achieved fast growth since launch with average monthly growth rate of 19% and 6x revenue growth in 2024.
Job Summary:
To lead the growth of the trade finance and export business by driving client acquisition, structuring competitive export financing solutions, mobilizing deposits, and ensuring portfolio quality and regulatory compliance.
Responsibilities:
1. Client Acquisition & Export Growth
- Identify, source, onboard, and manage relationships with exporters across key sectors.
- Drive acquisition and activation of export/FX clients in line with business targets.
- Ensure optimal utilisation of approved trade limits.
- Lead structuring and execution of trade finance solutions including invoice financing, guarantees, LPO financing, and FX solutions.
- Deliver trade finance income targets across performance bonds, bid bonds, advance/performance guarantees, and LPO financing.
- Drive FX transaction volumes and optimise yield per transaction.
- Mobilise deposits from export clients to support liquidity and funding objectives.
- Grow low-cost deposits (CASA) within the trade portfolio.
- Optimise cost of funds on trade-related deposits.
- Increase fee income from transactional banking (FX, guarantees, trade flows).
- Maintain portfolio quality within acceptable thresholds.
- Ensure early identification and resolution of arrears.
- Uphold high standards in credit structuring, monitoring, and reporting.
- Ensure full compliance with CBK regulations and internal credit policies.
- Provide insights on exporter needs, industry trends, and competitor offerings.
- Identify opportunities to enhance product-market fit and competitiveness.
- Lead and manage the trade finance/export team to achieve targets.
- Drive staff productivity (business per person).
- Conduct performance reviews, coaching, and capability development.
- Maintain acceptable attrition levels and build a strong succession pipeline.
- Ensure compliance with leave and HR policies.
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business, Economics, or a related field
- Master’s degree or professional certification (CPA, CFA, ACCA) is an added advantage
- Minimum 7–10 years’ experience in trade finance, corporate banking, or export finance
- Proven track record in structuring trade finance deals and managing client portfolios
- Strong understanding of FX markets, trade products, and regulatory requirements
- Strong deal structuring and analytical capability
- In-depth knowledge of trade finance products and export ecosystems
- Business development and relationship management skills
- Risk assessment and portfolio management capability
- Strong understanding of regulatory and compliance requirements
- Strategic thinking and execution ability
- Leadership and team management skills
- High level of commercial acumen and results orientation
Method of Application
Umba is an equal opportunity employer and encourage applications from all qualified individuals. Due to the urgency, interviews will be on a rolling basis.
Umba is an equal opportunity employer and encourage applications from all qualified individuals. Due to the urgency, interviews will be on a rolling basis.
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