SBM Bank Kenya invites qualified, driven, and visionary professionals to apply for the position of Assistant Manager, Talent Acquisition. This role presents an exciting opportunity for a highly skilled human resources professional to join a vibrant organization committed to excellence, innovation, and talent-driven growth. Based at the Head Office, this open-ended contract position is pivotal in attracting, acquiring, and onboarding the right talent to power SBM Bank’s strategic objectives.
With a core focus on aligning talent strategies with the bank’s evolving needs, the successful candidate will manage the end-to-end talent acquisition cycle while ensuring value-adding collaboration with business units. If you are passionate about strategic recruitment, championing diversity and inclusion, and optimizing workforce planning, SBM Bank Kenya offers you a platform to make a lasting impact.
Position: Assistant Manager, Talent Acquisition
Department: Human Resources
Job Band/Level: Assistant Manager
Location: Head Office
Contract Type: Open Ended
Application Deadline: July 4, 2025
Job Purpose
The Assistant Manager, Talent Acquisition is responsible for designing and executing effective talent acquisition strategies that align with the bank’s goals. This includes managing the entire recruitment process from workforce planning, sourcing, and selection, to onboarding, while maintaining a seamless candidate experience and supporting inclusive, timely, and cost-effective hiring decisions.
This role provides both consultative and transactional recruitment support across departments and is a critical partner to hiring managers throughout the bank.
Key Responsibilities
1. Planning
- Collaborate with hiring managers to understand business objectives and develop tailored talent acquisition strategies.
- Conduct structured Business Insight Conversations (BICs) to translate hiring needs into clear recruitment plans.
- Identify key role requirements, sourcing and selection strategies, timelines, and responsibilities.
- Ensure recruitment activities align with organizational structures, strategic workforce planning, and budget constraints.
- Offer market insights and support strategic workforce planning efforts.
- Educate hiring managers on policies and processes to ensure informed decision-making.
2. Sourcing
- Design and implement innovative sourcing strategies to attract diverse and high-quality candidates.
- Use a variety of channels including job boards, social media, talent databases, alumni networks, and employee referrals.
- Proactively build a talent pool by networking with passive and active candidates, both internally and externally.
- Partner with recruitment agencies and professional institutions to access specialized talent pools.
- Support graduate recruitment efforts and maintain relationships with universities and career fairs.
- Establish connections with the Kenyan diaspora and create global talent banks.
- Drive implementation of a structured employee referral program linked to reward and recognition systems.
3. Selection
- Develop and utilize a wide range of assessment tools suitable for various hiring levels and roles.
- Use the HRMIS to manage electronic screening processes and pre-screening questionnaires.
- Conduct shortlisting based on job requirements while actively promoting diversity in candidate pools.
- Coordinate assessments, interviews, and stakeholder interactions across departments.
- Conduct preliminary evaluations to assess candidate fit and provide realistic role expectations.
- Lead and participate in interviews, assessment centers, and selection panels.
4. Offer and Hire Management
- Ensure internal approvals are in place before extending offers.
- Facilitate negotiations between candidates, hiring managers, and other stakeholders.
- Provide guidance on international offers and ensure compliance with relocation and assignment policies.
- Oversee contract preparation, ensuring accurate and timely issuance of offer letters and employment documents.
- Manage work permit applications and renewals for international hires.
5. New Joiner Onboarding
- Fully manage the pre-start phase of onboarding (Day -21 to Day 0) and maintain engagement with candidates.
- Collaborate with hiring managers to ensure a seamless and positive onboarding experience.
- Ensure completion of all pre-employment checks in compliance with internal policies.
- Escalate any discrepancies in background checks to the Head of Talent Management promptly.
- Create and configure new joiners in HRMIS and ensure all systems are ready by the start date.
- Guide hiring managers on appropriate assessment and interview tools.
- Support smooth integration of new hires and manage potential rehires or candidate reassignments.
6. Risk and Governance
- Conduct thorough vetting and ensure all onboarding documentation meets policy standards.
- Oversee the engagement and performance of all recruitment-related vendors.
- Maintain up-to-date and standardized documentation for new joiners, including contracts and approvals.
- Work closely with HR shared services for the maker-checker process in HRMIS data entry.
- Support international employee exits by managing work permit cancellations and related documentation.
- Deliver training to hiring managers on recruitment and selection policies.
7. Relationship Management
- Build strong working relationships with hiring managers, candidates, recruitment partners, and HR colleagues.
- Promote understanding of recruitment policies, tools, and employer branding initiatives.
- Champion the SBM employee value proposition during all candidate and stakeholder interactions.
8. Reporting
- Prepare quarterly hiring and talent acquisition performance reports, including:
- Time to Fill (TTF)
- Rookie Retention Rates
- Onboarding Feedback
- Budget Variance Reports
- Vacancy Risk Analysis
- Collect and analyze Talent Acquisition Net Promoter Score (TANPS) from internal and external stakeholders.
Required Qualifications and Experience
Academic and Professional Credentials
- A Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resource Management or a related field.
- Higher Diploma in HR or CHRP certification.
- Mandatory membership with the Institute of Human Resource Management (IHRM).
Work Experience
- At least 3 years of relevant experience in Talent Acquisition and a minimum of 4 years in broader Human Resource functions.
- Strong background in both high-volume and specialized recruitment processes.
- Proven capability in managing recruitment campaigns, sourcing strategies, and end-to-end hiring processes.
- Familiarity with the talent landscape in the banking and financial services industry.
- Proficiency in the use of HRMIS and electronic selection systems.
- Exposure to employment laws and regulatory requirements including data protection compliance.
- Experience with stakeholder engagement, vendor management, and international recruitment practices.
Skills and Competencies
- Excellent analytical and research skills.
- Strong writing and reporting capabilities.
- Results-oriented with a strong sense of accountability.
- Effective problem-solving and critical thinking.
- High-level collaboration and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to consult and influence decisions through business insights.
- Familiarity with diversity and inclusion frameworks (JEDI principles).
- Time management and organizational skills.
Why Join SBM Bank Kenya
SBM Bank Kenya is a fast-growing financial institution committed to delivering world-class banking experiences through innovation, integrity, and human capital. The bank values its people and fosters a dynamic work environment where talent is nurtured and excellence is rewarded.
As the Assistant Manager, Talent Acquisition, you will play a central role in shaping the future workforce of the bank. You will work alongside a passionate team, contribute to strategic initiatives, and lead initiatives that directly impact organizational success.
This role is an ideal fit for professionals seeking to elevate their HR careers in a fast-paced and highly professional setting. You will have the opportunity to influence hiring decisions at all levels, develop sustainable talent pipelines, and champion diversity and inclusion within a respected financial institution.
Application Process
Interested candidates who meet the requirements outlined above are encouraged to apply before the closing date on July 4, 2025.
Applications must be submitted through the official SBM Bank Kenya recruitment portal or the designated HR platform, as specified by the bank.
