Job Description
Equity Bank is seeking an accomplished, visionary, and relationship-driven Business Development Manager – Faith-Based Organizations to strengthen and expand the Bank's engagement with churches, religious institutions, faith-based charities, educational organizations, healthcare ministries, and affiliated community development entities. This position offers an exciting opportunity for an experienced professional who understands both institutional banking and the unique operational environment of faith-based organizations. The successful candidate will be responsible for designing and implementing sustainable business growth initiatives while developing trusted partnerships that create long-term value for clients and the Bank.
The role requires a strategic leader capable of identifying emerging opportunities within the faith sector, understanding institutional governance structures, and delivering customized financial solutions that align with organizational missions and values. Working closely with branch teams, senior management, product specialists, and subsidiary business units, the Business Development Manager will coordinate integrated financial solutions covering banking, insurance, investment services, payment solutions, collections, digital banking, and financial empowerment programs.
The successful candidate will actively expand the Bank's institutional client portfolio by identifying prospective organizations, nurturing executive-level relationships, and delivering exceptional customer experiences throughout the client lifecycle. This includes conducting financial needs assessments, recommending suitable banking products, facilitating account acquisition, supporting lending opportunities, promoting cash management services, and strengthening customer retention through proactive relationship management.
Beyond revenue generation, the role contributes significantly to community transformation by supporting organizations that deliver education, healthcare, humanitarian assistance, social development, and spiritual services across Kenya. The Business Development Manager will monitor sector developments, identify policy changes affecting religious institutions, analyze market trends, and recommend innovative solutions that strengthen the Bank's competitive position within this specialized market segment.
A strong commitment to regulatory compliance, ethical banking standards, governance, Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Know Your Customer (KYC), Counter Financing of Terrorism (CFT), and institutional risk management is essential. The successful candidate will also mentor Relationship Managers, share sector knowledge across branches, support capability development, and encourage best practices that enhance service quality and sustainable portfolio growth.
This opportunity is ideal for a respected professional who combines commercial expertise, leadership capability, strong interpersonal communication, and a genuine understanding of the operational, governance, and financial priorities of faith-based organizations. The role provides an opportunity to influence strategic partnerships while contributing to Equity Bank's mission of promoting financial inclusion, sustainable economic development, and positive social impact across communities.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and execute strategic business development initiatives targeting faith-based institutions across assigned markets.
- Build productive relationships with churches, dioceses, religious councils, ministries, schools, hospitals, charities, and affiliated organizations.
- Identify new institutional banking opportunities that contribute to sustainable business growth.
- Promote deposits, transactional banking, digital banking, collections, lending, and treasury solutions.
- Coordinate cross-functional engagement with internal business units to deliver integrated financial services.
- Prepare customized financial proposals based on each institution's operational requirements.
- Conduct comprehensive financial needs assessments for prospective and existing institutional clients.
- Strengthen long-term partnerships through regular engagement meetings and consultative support.
- Expand customer portfolios by acquiring qualified institutional accounts.
- Increase utilization of digital payment platforms and electronic banking solutions.
- Promote insurance, investment, wealth management, and other value-added financial services where appropriate.
- Monitor portfolio performance and recommend strategies for continuous improvement.
- Support branches in identifying and converting new faith-sector business opportunities.
- Provide technical guidance to Relationship Managers handling institutional accounts.Mentor branch teams on sector-specific customer engagement approaches.
- Coordinate client onboarding while ensuring accurate documentation and regulatory compliance.
- Ensure adherence to AML, KYC, CFT, and all applicable banking regulations.
- Conduct market intelligence to identify emerging trends affecting faith-based organizations.
- Analyze competitor activities and recommend strategic responses.
- Represent the Bank during conferences, institutional forums, seminars, and stakeholder engagements.
- Build trusted relationships with bishops, pastors, priests, trustees, governing boards, administrators, and executive committees.
- Support development of sector-focused marketing campaigns and awareness initiatives.
- Collaborate with product teams to improve customer value propositions.
- Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.
- Monitor customer feedback and implement service improvement initiatives.
- Prepare business performance reports for senior management. Track revenue, profitability, portfolio quality, and customer acquisition targets.
- Coordinate implementation of institutional partnership agreements.
- Ensure timely resolution of customer service issues.
- Promote ethical business conduct and professional standards at all times.
- Support organizational initiatives that promote financial literacy and community empowerment.
- Participate in strategic planning sessions and sector development programs.
- Maintain accurate client records and business documentation.
- Strengthen collaboration between branches and specialized business units.
- Deliver measurable growth while maintaining strong governance and risk management standards.
Qualifications & Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Commerce, Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Theology, or another relevant discipline.
- Master's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Strategic Management, Theology, or a related field is an added advantage.
- Licensed minister, pastor, priest, bishop, reverend, catechist, or equivalent faith leadership experience is highly desirable.
- Professional banking, leadership, or relationship management certifications will be an advantage.
- Demonstrated understanding of institutional banking and faith
- based organizations.
- Training in Anti
- Money Laundering (AML), Know Your Customer (KYC), and Counter Financing of Terrorism (CFT) is desirable.
How to Apply
Apply by submitting a comprehensive application that includes your updated curriculum vitae, a detailed cover letter outlining your suitability for the position, and copies of relevant academic, professional, and leadership certifications. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the next stage of the recruitment process. Applicants are encouraged to ensure that all submitted information is accurate, complete, and up to date before the closing date.