Head of Debt & Syndications – Commercial at Equity Bank Kenya

Head of Debt & Syndications – Commercial

Role Overview

The Head of Debt & Syndications – Commercial provides strategic leadership in originating, structuring, executing, and syndicating complex debt solutions for large corporate and public sector clients. The role is pivotal in driving Equity Bank Kenya’s growth agenda by delivering scalable, risk-adjusted, and balance-sheet-efficient financing while positioning the Bank as a trusted lead arranger in the debt capital markets.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and execute a forward-looking Debt & Syndications strategy aligned with Corporate Banking objectives.
• Partner with the Commercial Director to translate strategy into measurable business outcomes.
• Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing debt & syndications team.
• Drive collaboration across Coverage, Credit Risk, Treasury, Legal, and Regional Subsidiaries.

Origination & Client Advisory

• Originate and structure tailored financing solutions including bilateral loans, syndicated facilities, and club deals.
• Act as a trusted senior advisor to corporates, multinationals, SOEs, and government-linked entities.
• Advise clients on capital structure optimization, pricing, tenor, and covenant frameworks.
• Support cross-border transactions across the Equity Group footprint.

Structuring, Execution & Syndication

• Lead end-to-end execution of complex debt transactions from mandate to financial close.
• Structure term loans, revolving credit facilities, infrastructure and project financings, and PSI transactions.
• Lead negotiations on commercial and legal terms with internal and external stakeholders.
• Develop syndication strategies to manage concentration risk and optimize balance sheet efficiency.
• Maintain strong relationships with local and international banks, DFIs, multilaterals, and ECAs.

Credit, Risk & Governance

• Partner with Credit Risk to ensure robust underwriting and compliance with risk appetite.
• Participate in senior credit committees for large and complex exposures.
• Ensure compliance with CBK regulations, internal credit policies, and governance standards.

Financial Performance & Innovation

• Deliver sustainable revenue growth across interest income and fee-based revenues.
• Monitor portfolio performance, concentration risks, and early warning indicators.
• Track market trends in syndicated lending, structured finance, infrastructure, PSI and ESG-linked financing.
• Design innovative financing structures aligned with the Bank’s development and sustainability agenda.

Qualifications & Experience

• 12–18+ years’ experience in corporate lending, syndications, and structured/project finance.
• Strong track record in PSI, infrastructure, and large corporate transactions.
• Experience working with DFIs and cross-border lenders is highly desirable.
• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Business, or related field.
• MBA, MSc Finance/Economics, CFA or equivalent qualification preferred.

How to Apply

Apply via: Equity Bank Kenya on equitybank.taleo.net