Head, Asset Based Finance & Insurance Premium Financing
KCB Bank
Quick Take
Lead and grow KCB Bank's Asset Based Finance and Insurance Premium Financing business by developing strategy, managing a specialist team, advising on complex deals, and driving product innovation across the Corporate Banking division.
At least 8 years in financial services with a minimum of 5 years in senior Corporate Banking roles focused on Asset Based Finance, Insurance Premium Financing, or structured finance, plus strong credit management and team leadership experience.
A high-visibility leadership role at one of East Africa's largest banks, with the opportunity to shape a specialist business unit, influence digitalization strategy, and drive meaningful impact across a large corporate client portfolio.
Job Description
KCB Bank is one of Kenya's largest and most established financial institutions, with a strong presence across East Africa. Known for its innovative banking solutions and commitment to economic growth, KCB Bank serves a diverse portfolio of corporate, SME, and retail clients. The Corporate Banking division is at the heart of driving large-scale financial solutions, including Asset Based Finance (ABF) and Insurance Premium Financing (IPF).
- Develop and lead the implementation of the ABF & IPF sector strategy in alignment with the overall Corporate Banking Strategy.
- Conduct in-depth market analysis covering market size, growth opportunities, market share, customer profiles, competitors, and product profitability.
- Set and execute ABF/IPF market share growth strategies, including formulating budgets and performance targets.
- Communicate the value proposition of ABF/IPF products to the sales team, customers, and key stakeholders.
- Build and maintain effective cross-functional relationships with Corporate Banking Sector Heads, Product Management teams, Regional Managers, Credit, Legal, Risk, and Operations teams.
- Provide technical ABF/IPF advisory support to Relationship Managers to facilitate the closure of large and complex deals.
- Champion the digitalization and modernization of ABF/IPF processes and platforms.
- Drive the development of customized ABF/IPF products and solutions tailored to client needs.
- Package ABF/IPF offerings to ensure they are compelling, differentiated, and easy to sell.
- Manage and maintain robust monitoring, controls, business continuity, governance, and risk management frameworks for ABF/IPF.
- Proactively manage credit impairments in line with applicable accounting and regulatory standards.
- Lead, develop, and direct the ABF/IPF team to deliver departmental financial and non-financial performance targets.
- A University Degree from a recognized institution; a postgraduate qualification is an added advantage.
- At least 8 years of experience in a financial institution.
- Minimum 5 years of senior management experience in Corporate Banking with a focus on Asset Based Finance, Insurance Premium Financing, and structured finance.
- At least 5 years of experience in Credit Management and loan recovery.
- A minimum of 3 years of experience leading and managing teams.
- Strong business development and relationship management capabilities.
- Proven track record of attaining business growth and profitability targets within financial services or banking sectors.
- In-depth knowledge of the banking industry, regulatory environment, market trends, and emerging challenges.
- Sound understanding of statutory and regulatory requirements related to corporate governance, business, and banking operations.
Requirements Breakdown
Must Have
- Minimum 8 years of experience in a financial institution
- At least 5 years of senior management experience in Corporate Banking with focus on Asset Based Finance and/or Insurance Premium Financing
- Minimum 5 years of experience in Credit Management and loan recovery
- At least 3 years of experience leading and managing teams
- University degree from a recognized institution
Nice to Have
- Postgraduate qualification (MBA or relevant master's degree)
- Experience with structured finance products
- Demonstrated track record of digitalization or process modernization in banking
- Deep knowledge of CBK regulatory frameworks and corporate governance standards
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Salary Context
Senior leadership role likely commanding above-market compensation — salary not disclosed
Head-level roles in Corporate Banking at tier-one Kenyan banks like KCB typically attract gross monthly salaries in the range of KES 400,000–700,000+, depending on portfolio size and seniority; the absence of a stated salary is common at this level in Kenya but candidates should negotiate based on the scope of P&L ownership and team leadership responsibilities.
About KCB Bank
KCB Bank is Kenya's largest commercial bank by assets, with a footprint spanning Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and Ethiopia, serving over 40 million customers across the region. As a publicly listed institution on the Nairobi Securities Exchange, KCB plays a central role in financing Kenya's corporate sector, SMEs, and infrastructure development. Working at KCB offers exposure to large-scale, complex financial transactions, a strong learning environment, and the prestige of representing a pan-African banking powerhouse.
Likely Interview Questions
- 1
Walk us through a specific Asset Based Finance or Insurance Premium Financing deal you originated or closed — what was the structure, the challenge, and the outcome?
- 2
How would you develop a market share growth strategy for KCB's ABF/IPF business within the current Kenyan economic environment?
- 3
Describe your approach to managing credit impairments in a portfolio of asset-based loans — how do you balance growth targets with risk discipline?
- 4
How have you previously led the digitalization of a banking product or process, and what measurable impact did it have?
- 5
How do you build and maintain cross-functional relationships with Credit, Legal, and Risk teams to get complex corporate deals across the line?
Application Tips
Quantify your ABF/IPF portfolio experience — state the size of portfolios managed, volume of deals closed, and revenue or growth targets achieved, as KCB will want evidence of P&L ownership at scale.
Highlight any experience structuring or packaging niche financial products (e.g. asset-backed lending, premium financing, structured trade finance) to demonstrate product depth beyond generic corporate banking.
Showcase leadership credentials explicitly — number of direct reports managed, how you developed team capability, and examples of cross-functional stakeholder influence — since team leadership and relationship management are core to this role.
Career Path
Roles that lead here
Where this leads
Skills & Keywords
Honest Assessment
Green Flags
- KCB Bank is a tier-one, systemically important bank in Kenya, offering strong institutional credibility and career capital for the successful candidate.
- The role carries genuine strategic weight — leading a specialist business unit with its own P&L, strategy, and team — rather than being a purely advisory or support function.
- The emphasis on digitalization and product innovation signals that KCB is investing in modernizing this business line, offering the candidate a chance to leave a visible legacy.
- The cross-functional scope (Credit, Legal, Risk, Operations, Regional Managers) provides broad internal exposure that accelerates career progression toward C-suite roles.
Watch Out
- No salary range is disclosed, which at this senior level may lead to misaligned expectations during late-stage negotiations — candidates should clarify compensation early in the process.
- The role spans an unusually broad remit — strategy, product development, digitalization, credit risk, team leadership, and deal advisory — which may indicate resourcing constraints or unclear boundaries with adjacent teams.
A Day in the Life
A typical week would involve chairing pipeline review meetings with Relationship Managers to advise on structuring complex ABF deals, liaising with Credit and Risk teams to manage impairments and ensure compliance with CBK guidelines, and meeting with insurance partners or corporate clients to deepen relationships and identify new financing opportunities. Mid-week might include reviewing market analysis dashboards, setting quarterly budget targets with the team, and presenting product performance updates to Corporate Banking leadership. By Friday, the focus often shifts to strategic work — refining the ABF/IPF digitalization roadmap, reviewing product packaging proposals, or signing off on customized solutions for anchor clients.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications do I need to apply for the Head of Asset Based Finance & Insurance Premium Financing role at KCB Bank?
You need a university degree from a recognized institution, at least 8 years of experience in a financial institution, and a minimum of 5 years of senior Corporate Banking experience specifically in Asset Based Finance, Insurance Premium Financing, or structured finance. A postgraduate qualification is an added advantage.
Is the Head, Asset Based Finance & Insurance Premium Financing role at KCB Bank a remote or hybrid position?
The role is based in Nairobi and is a full-time, on-site position — given the client-facing, cross-functional, and team leadership nature of the work, remote or hybrid arrangements are unlikely at this seniority level.
How much does a Head of Asset Based Finance earn at KCB Bank Kenya?
KCB has not disclosed the salary for this role, but comparable Head-level Corporate Banking positions at tier-one Kenyan banks typically range from KES 400,000 to KES 700,000+ gross per month, with additional benefits such as medical cover, pension, and performance bonuses.
What are the career growth opportunities after this role at KCB Bank?
This role is a strong launchpad toward Director or C-suite positions within KCB's Corporate Banking division, such as Director of Corporate Banking or Chief Commercial Officer, and the bank's pan-African footprint also opens pathways to regional leadership roles across East Africa.
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