Business Development & Operations Manager

POSITION: BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & OPERATIONS MANAGER 

LOCATION: KIGALI, RWANDA 

REPORTS TO: MANAGING DIRECTOR 

TYPE OF CONTRACT: PERMANENT 

ABOUT THE COMPANY: 

ATLANTIQUE MICROFINANCE PLC is a licensed microfinance institution operating in Rwanda since 2018 under the regulation of the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR). The institution provides financial services including loans and savings products to individuals, SMEs, and businesses, with a focus on financial inclusion, operational excellence, and sustainable growth. 

JOB DESCRIPTION: 

ATLANTIQUE MICROFINANCE PLC is seeking a dynamic and results-oriented Business Development & Operations Manager to drive commercial growth and oversee operational performance across the institution. The successful candidate will be tasked with expanding the customer portfolio, increasing deposits and loan portfolio performance, strengthening branch operations, and ensuring high levels of customer service and regulatory compliance. 

The role requires a commercially driven professional with proven experience in business development, sales management, portfolio growth, customer acquisition, and operational leadership within the banking or microfinance sector. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• create and execute business, sales, and commercial strategies aligned with institutional objectives.
• Drive growth of the loan portfolio, deposits, customer base, and sales of financial products and services.
• detect new business opportunities, market segments, and strategic partnerships. 
• guide customer acquisition, retention, and relationship management initiatives.
• track branch performance and execute corrective action plans to achieve business targets.
• Oversee daily operational activities across branches and ensure operational efficiency and service excellence.
• Ensure compliance with internal policies, operational procedures, BNR regulations, and other regulatory requirements. 
• organize activities between business development, operations, and assist teams to enhance customer service delivery.
• guide, coach, supervise, and evaluate branch managers, supervisors, and operational teams.
• detect staff training and development needs and assist capacity-building initiatives.
• track operational risks and ensure effective implementation of internal controls.
• Ensure timely resolution of customer complaints and operational challenges.
• produce and present periodic business and operational performance reports to management.
• track key performance indicators (KPIs) and deliver strategic recommendations to enhance growth, profitability, and operational performance.
• assist the continuous improvement of operational processes, banking services, and customer experience.

YOU WILL BE AN IDEAL CANDIDATE IF YOU POSSESS THE FOLLOWING PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE: 

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Banking, Economics, Business Administration, Management, Finance or a related field.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience within a Bank, Microfinance Institution, SACCO, or other regulated Financial Institution is mandatory.
• Proven experience in business development, branch management, portfolio growth, sales management, or commercial banking operations.
• Demonstrated experience in customer acquisition, deposit mobilization, and loan portfolio growth.
• Strong understanding of banking operations, financial products, and services. 
• Knowledge of banking systems and digital financial services.
• Experience developing and implementing business growth strategies and operational improvement initiatives.
• Fluency in French (spoken and written) is mandatory. 

KEY SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES:

• Strong business development and sales management expertise.
• Proven ability to drive portfolio growth and customer acquisition. 
• Experience monitoring KPIs and managing business performance against targets. 
• Strong understanding of financial products and services.
• Good knowledge of banking systems, operational processes, and digital financial services.
• Excellent leadership, people management, coaching, and team development skills.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities. 
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and accountability.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, target-driven environment.
• Strong organizational and strategic planning skills.
• Fluency in French & English (mandatory), and Kinyarwanda