Senior Credit Officer

Company Description Catalyst Partners, established in 2013, is one of the fastest-growing investment houses in the Middle East, with a strong focus on family and medium-sized businesses. Through its private equity arm, Catalyst Private Equity (CPE), the firm partners with fast-growing companies to support and monitor sustainable expansion. Its leasing arm, CP Lease, provides flexible and innovative financial leasing solutions, leveraging deep expertise and strong banking relationships to close financing gaps. Catalyst Partners positions itself as a one-stop shop for tailored financial solutions to carefully selected clients and partners, offering a dynamic environment for finance professionals.

JOB PURPOSE

This role exists to critically evaluate clients financial statements and credit data to determine the precise degree of risk involved in corporate lending, leasing, and factoring facilities. The position serves as the analytical foundation of the department by developing financial models, preparing comprehensive credit appraisals, and submitting data-driven risk recommendations to the credit committees. Ultimately, this role safeguards the institution's portfolio by ensuring all credit exposures align with established regulatory frameworks and internal risk policies.

 KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (Job Description):

1. Quantitative Financial Modeling & Risk Assessment: Conduct comprehensive financial statement analysis and develop dynamic quantitative models to evaluate the financial status and creditworthiness of corporate clients across various financial institutions.

2. Credit Structuring & Committee Presentation: Structure optimal credit facilities and author rigorous credit appraisals (CA), presenting data-driven scenarios and risk mitigants to credit and loan committees to drive strategic decision-making.

3. Macroeconomic & Market Risk Evaluation: Continuously monitor macroeconomic indices, market volatility, and sector-specific trends to evaluate how systemic risks and asset value fluctuations impact the institution's credit exposure.

4. Regulatory Compliance & Governance Adherence: Ensure all credit proposals strictly adhere to internal credit policies, global risk management protocols, and established regulatory frameworks.

5. Proactive Portfolio Monitoring & Exposure Management: Execute continuous monitoring of portfolio health by analyzing clients past dues and repayment metrics, initiating early intervention strategies and reclassification memos for distressed exposures.

6. Stakeholder Advisory & Cross-Functional Synergy: Provide strategic financial advisory to relationship managers regarding client commercial analysis, and coordinate with cross-functional departments to mitigate enterprise-wide credit risks.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Degree: A Bachelor's degree in Business, Commerce, Finance, or a closely related academic discipline.

Certifications: Specialized training or certifications in Credit Risk Management and Analysis, or a Banking Credit course, are highly preferred to demonstrate a foundational understanding of institutional risk. Additional awareness of Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks is considered a strong advantage.

Experience:

Duration & Scope: Up to 4 years of progressive, hands-on experience in credit analysis, risk assessment, and portfolio analysis across financial institutions, including leasing and factoring environments.

Core Practical Experience: Demonstrated history of evaluating corporate financial statements, preparing comprehensive credit appraisals (CA), calculating financial ratios, and successfully presenting risk recommendations to credit committees.

Technical Skills:

Analytical Tools: Advanced proficiency in developing quantitative spreadsheets, financial modeling, and utilizing credit scoring models to evaluate corporate creditworthiness.

Systems Proficiency: High proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, advanced accounting principles, and working knowledge of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems for data extraction and portfolio monitoring.

Regulatory Knowledge: Solid understanding of central regulations, internal lending protocols, and market risk analysis indicators.