Old Mutual is a prominent pan-African financial services group driven by a clear purpose: to help our customers thrive by enabling them to achieve their lifetime financial goals. With operations across multiple African markets, Old Mutual seeks to empower individuals, businesses, and communities through comprehensive financial solutions. As part of our growth and strategy for sustainable development in key sectors, we are pleased to announce an opening for the position of Relationship Manager – Agribusiness & Partnerships, based in Nairobi.
This role is a critical addition to our dynamic Financial Services team and aligns with Old Mutual’s commitment to leveraging agriculture as a catalyst for economic empowerment. The successful candidate will be responsible for driving agribusiness growth, fostering strategic partnerships, and enhancing financial access to farmer groups, cooperatives, and Agri-SMEs across Kenya.
If you have a passion for agriculture, finance, and relationship management and are eager to play a role in shaping Africa’s agricultural transformation, this position is for you.
Job Summary
The Relationship Manager – Agribusiness and Partnerships will play a central role in leading the bank’s agribusiness strategy, managing client relationships, expanding the agribusiness loan and deposit portfolio, and driving strategic partnerships that broaden the bank’s market reach. The role requires an in-depth understanding of the Kenyan agricultural ecosystem and the financial requirements of various stakeholders within agricultural value chains.
Key Tasks and Measurable Goals
- Acquisition of new customers within the agribusiness sector
- Growth in quality agribusiness loan book
- Maintenance of high portfolio quality and risk mitigation
- Enhanced profitability through innovative financial offerings
- Establishment and nurturing of strategic partnerships
- Generation of revenue from partnership engagements
Detailed Job Description
1. Agribusiness Banking Strategy and Execution
- Develop and implement the bank’s agribusiness banking strategy in line with the institution’s strategic objectives.
- Design and execute tailored approaches targeting farmer groups, cooperatives, and Agri-SMEs.
- Continuously assess value chains including input supply, production, processing, logistics, and marketing to ensure strategic alignment with client needs.
2. Client Acquisition and Relationship Management
- Identify and onboard new agribusiness clients through extensive market research, field visits, and networking.
- Build and sustain long-term relationships with existing and prospective clients, becoming their primary liaison for banking needs.
- Proactively assess client operations and provide financial solutions tailored to their business models, such as:
- Agri-loans
- Working capital solutions
- Asset and trade finance
- Insurance products
- Digital payments
3. Credit and Risk Management
- Conduct credit analysis and prepare detailed proposals for agribusiness clients.
- Collaborate with credit risk teams to structure innovative and risk-conscious financial solutions.
- Monitor portfolio performance, ensure timely repayments, and address early warning signs of financial distress or market shocks (e.g., climate events, pests, or price volatility).
4. Cross-Selling and Business Development
- Identify opportunities to cross-sell banking products and deepen client engagement across financial services.
- Train and guide branch teams to enhance their capability in agribusiness customer acquisition and relationship management.
5. Market Intelligence and Regulatory Awareness
- Keep abreast of industry trends, market shifts, regulatory frameworks, and emerging opportunities.
- Recommend enhancements in product development and client engagement based on timely market intelligence.
6. Strategic Partnership Development
- Design and implement a robust partnership roadmap focusing on product innovation, market expansion, and de-risking lending.
- Develop partnership models such as revenue-sharing and embedded finance schemes.
- Lead negotiations, contract execution, and integration with key stakeholders in agriculture, including aggregators, NGOs, government agencies, and fintechs.
7. Partner Relationship Management
- Serve as the bank’s primary liaison for partners, ensuring consistent communication and issue resolution.
- Monitor KPIs and performance metrics for all strategic partnerships.
- Conduct reviews to assess value addition, identify areas for improvement, and explore scaling opportunities.
8. Industry Representation and Stakeholder Engagement
- Represent the bank at agricultural forums, trade fairs, policy discussions, and sector events.
- Enhance the bank’s visibility and positioning within the agribusiness space.
- Build a network of thought leaders, influencers, and commercial players to strengthen the bank’s agribusiness value proposition.
9. Compliance, Risk, and Governance
- Ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements including:
- Customer Due Diligence (CDD)
- Know-Your-Customer (KYC)
- Anti-Money Laundering (AML) protocols
- Sanctions and data governance requirements
- Actively identify and report potential compliance breaches or irregular activities to the appropriate internal risk teams.
10. Other Duties
- Undertake additional responsibilities as may be delegated by supervisors or senior management, contributing to the broader goals of the organization.
Skills, Knowledge, and Competencies Required
- Comprehensive understanding of financial products and services relevant to agribusiness clients.
- Strong capability in relationship building and customer engagement.
- Proficiency in credit analysis, deal structuring, and risk assessment.
- Excellent negotiation and cross-selling capabilities.
- Analytical mindset with strong attention to detail and precision.
- Outstanding interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
- High level of initiative, self-motivation, and ability to work independently.
- Readiness and ability to travel regularly across Kenya.
Technical Knowledge Areas
- Client Management and Relationship Development
- Data Collection, Analysis, and Interpretation
- Financial Advice and Sales Execution
- Operational Compliance and Risk Management
- Partnership Structuring and Stakeholder Negotiation
- Market Research and Strategic Planning
Additional Core Responsibilities
- Preparation and review of business documents and credit reports.
- Compilation of insights and analytics for reporting and performance evaluation.
- Account planning and development of action plans for key client segments.
- Maintenance of data quality and reporting standards in line with policy.
- Engagement with internal teams for product alignment and customer experience optimization.
Qualifications and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, Business Administration, Finance, Banking, or related field.
- Formal training in lending and relationship management preferred (e.g., ACIB/AKIB, marketing, agribusiness finance certification from KSMS).
- A Master’s degree in a relevant field will be an added advantage.
- Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in Relationship Management, with a substantial focus on Agribusiness lending and partnerships.
- Proven track record in structuring financial deals and managing strategic partnerships in the agribusiness or financial services sector.
- Extensive knowledge of Kenya’s agricultural value chains and regulatory landscape.
Key Competencies and Behavioral Traits
- Business Insight: Demonstrates a strong understanding of industry dynamics and client needs.
- Builds Networks: Proactively develops and maintains effective internal and external relationships.
- Communicates Effectively: Articulates ideas clearly and persuasively in both written and spoken formats.
- Customer Focus: Strives to deliver tailored financial solutions that meet client goals.
- Decision Quality: Makes sound, data-informed decisions that align with institutional strategy.
- Ensures Accountability: Maintains a high standard of integrity, follow-through, and ownership.
- Manages Complexity: Navigates complex customer needs, stakeholder demands, and regulatory requirements with agility.
- Plans and Aligns: Aligns activities with organizational priorities, ensuring timely execution of key objectives.
Location
- Nairobi, Kenya
Employment Type
- Full-Time
Application Deadline
- 14 August 2025, 23:59 EAT
Why Join Old Mutual?
Old Mutual is more than a financial institution. It is a community of innovators, strategists, and relationship builders committed to rewriting Africa’s growth narrative. We provide a dynamic environment where your expertise in agribusiness and finance can thrive. With our footprint across Africa, inclusive culture, and focus on client-centric solutions, you’ll have the opportunity to grow your career while making a significant impact in the lives of millions.
Be part of a purpose-driven team that is shaping the future of agricultural finance in Kenya and beyond. If you meet the above criteria and are ready to drive innovation in one of Africa’s most critical sectors, we welcome your application.
