IN_Senior Associate_Lending & NBFI_GCC_Advisory_Bangalore

Job Summary: 

We are seeking a highly analytical and strategic Associate / Senior Associate to join Financial Services Advisory team. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in consulting clients in the financial domain especially in the lending and Non-Banking Financial Institutions (NBFI) sector (within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia). Also, the candidate should be adept at developing business plans and long-term financial strategies at both product as well as overall organizational level. Candidate will be responsible for crafting impactful presentations and proposals, managing RFP processes, engaging with vendors and effectively managing stakeholder relationships. This role is pivotal in driving the growth of lending business for our clients by managing the entire product lifecycle in full compliance with SAMA regulations. 

Responsibilities 

Business Case & Strategy Development: 

• Conduct in-depth market analysis, competitive landscaping, and feasibility studies to identify new lending product opportunities. 

• Develop comprehensive business cases for new products, including financial modeling, revenue projections, and risk assessment. 

• Define and articulate the product vision, strategy, and roadmap for the lending portfolio (e.g., Personal Loans, SME Financing, BNPL, etc.). 

• Present business cases and strategic recommendations to senior management and key stakeholders. 

Product Definition & Documentation: 

• Translate business strategy into detailed requirements by authoring high-quality Business Requirement Documents (BRDs). 

• Develop and document Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for lending operations, customer service, and collections. 

• Design and map end-to-end customer journeys and internal operational workflows in collaboration with Operations, Tech, and Risk teams. 

Implementation & Go-To-Market: 

• Act as the key business liaison with the technology team to ensure product features are developed as per business requirements. 

• Define workflows and operating procedures for end to end lending lifecycle including customer acquisition & onboarding, disbursement, repayments and collections, customer service  

• Assist in the testing phase by defining User Acceptance Testing (UAT) scenarios and test cases, participating in testing, and providing sign-offs. 

• Collaborate with Marketing and Sales teams to develop and execute a successful go-to-market strategy for new products. 

Compliance & Governance: 

• Ensure all product designs, processes, and documentation are fully compliant with the guidelines and regulations issued by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) for Finance Companies/NBFIs. 

• Liaise with Legal and Compliance teams to secure necessary approvals for all product initiatives. 

Business Model & Financial Planning: 

• Develop comprehensive business model and long-term financial plans for individual products and align them with the overall company strategy. 

• Analyze financial data to assess the company's performance and forecast future growth opportunities. 

Consulting Expertise: 

• Provide expert consulting services to clients, focusing on various financial products and solutions. 

• Assist clients in optimizing financial operations and achieving strategic objectives within the financial domain. 

• Design and prepare compelling PowerPoint presentations that effectively communicate proposals and meet client requirements. 

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure presentations align with client and company goals. 

Request for Proposal (RFP) Management: 

• Lead the preparation, development, and rollout of RFPs to solicit proposals from potential vendors or clients. 

• Ensure RFPs are comprehensive, accurate, and aligned with strategic objectives. 

Stakeholder Management: 

• Engage with stakeholders at all levels to understand business needs and deliver tailored financial solutions. 

• Facilitate communication and foster strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders. 

Qualifications & Experience 

• Experience: 4-7 years of progressive experience in consulting, product management, business analysis, or strategy within the Lending and/or NBFI sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 

• Education: Master’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Economics, or a related field. 

• Track Record: Proven track record of successfully launching and managing lending products from concept to launch in the KSA market. 

• Documentation Expertise: Demonstrable expertise in writing detailed BRDs, creating process flow diagrams, and authoring clear SOPs. Exceptional ability to prepare and deliver high-quality presentations, proposals, RFPs, business model and  financial plan. 

• Regulatory Knowledge: In-depth, practical knowledge of the SAMA regulatory framework for NBFIs and Finance Companies, Sharia compliance and various contracting types such as Murabha, Tawarruq, etc. 

• Technical Familiarity: Hands-on experience with the product development lifecycle, including participating in UAT and working closely with technical/engineering teams.  

Desired Attributes 

• Analytical Mindset: Strong quantitative and qualitative analytical skills with the ability to turn data into actionable insights. 

• Strategic Thinker: Ability to see the bigger picture and develop a long-term vision for products. 

• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.  Ability to converse in Arabic are highly preferred. 

• Stakeholder Management: Proven ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams (Technology, Operations, Risk, Legal, Marketing). 

• Problem-Solver: Proactive, resourceful, and adept at overcoming challenges in a fast-paced environment. 

• Ownership Mentality: A self-starter who takes ownership of projects and drives them to successful completion.