Relationship Manager – Islamic Banking

NBC is looking for a Relationship Manager – Islamic Banking to drive the growth of the bank’s Islamic Banking portfolio. The role focuses on acquiring new customers, building and deepening business relationships, and growing both assets, including financing, and liabilities, including deposits, in full compliance with Shari’ah principles.

The Relationship Manager – Islamic Banking will serve as the primary commercial interface between NBC and its Islamic Banking clients. The successful candidate will champion the bank’s Lariba proposition across Retail and Business Banking segments.

In the absence of, or as delegated by, the Head of Islamic Banking, the Relationship Manager will assume responsibility for the day-to-day operational leadership of the Islamic Banking team. This includes ensuring continuity of business development, customer service standards, and Shari’ah compliance at branch level.

Job Summary

The Relationship Manager – Islamic Banking will be responsible for growing NBC’s Islamic Banking business through proactive customer acquisition, portfolio management, sales performance, and Shari’ah-compliant business development.

The role requires strong commercial judgment, Islamic Banking product knowledge, customer relationship management skills, and the ability to support branch teams in promoting and servicing Lariba products.

Key Accountabilities

1. Business Development and New Customer Acquisition (Weight: 35%)

The role owns end-to-end business development for the Islamic Banking book, with a strong emphasis on attracting new-to-bank customers and expanding market penetration. In the absence of the Head of Islamic Banking, the role represents Islamic Banking in key client engagements and business review forums.

Key responsibilities include:

• Develop and execute a personal business development plan with monthly acquisition targets for new Islamic Banking customers across financing and deposits.
• Report business development progress to the Head of Islamic Banking.
• Proactively identify, prospect, and convert new-to-bank clients, including: Individuals, Small and medium enterprises, Institutions.
• Leverage market intelligence, referrals, community networks, and digital leads to generate business opportunities.
• Drive deposit mobilisation by marketing Lariba savings, current, and investment accounts.
• Meet or exceed assigned liability growth targets each quarter.
• Originate and structure Lariba financing proposals in collaboration with the Credit Unit, including: Murabaha, Ijarah, Musharaka.
• Ensure financing deals are Shari’ah-compliant, commercially sound, and within credit policy.
• Identify untapped market segments and geographic opportunities.
• Recommend product or pricing adaptations to the Head of Islamic Banking to capture identified market segments.
• Represent NBC at community events, Islamic finance seminars, and trade forums.
• Raise brand visibility and generate business leads.
• In the absence of the Head of Islamic Banking, lead client meetings, business pitches, and negotiations at the required authority level.
• Ensure no pipeline opportunity is lost.

2. Customer Relationship Management and Retention (Weight: 25%)

The role manages an active portfolio of Islamic Banking clients, ensuring high customer satisfaction, wallet deepening, and strong retention to sustain long-term revenue growth.

Key responsibilities include:

• Maintain a structured portfolio management system.
• Conduct regular client review meetings.
• Ensure timely renewals, top-ups, and cross-sell opportunities are captured.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for escalated customer queries and complaints.
• Resolve customer issues within set service standards to protect and enhance client relationships.
• Deepen relationships with existing customers by profiling their financial needs.
• Match customer needs with appropriate Lariba products and services.
• Track and manage customer attrition within the portfolio.
• Implement proactive retention strategies for at-risk accounts.
• Coordinate with branch teams to ensure consistent, high-quality service delivery to Islamic Banking clients at all touchpoints.

3. Performance Monitoring and Reporting (Weight: 15%)

The role ensures that the Islamic Banking book is tracked, analysed, and actioned with discipline. It also maintains visibility of performance across all branches and products.

Key responsibilities include:

• Prepare and present weekly and monthly business performance reports covering: New acquisitions, Deposit balances, Financing book, Delinquency, Revenue.
• Deputise for the Head of Islamic Banking in management forums when required.
• Review branch-level Islamic Banking performance scorecards periodically.
• Identify performance trends, gaps, and remedial actions.
• Communicate findings with clear improvement strategies.
• Monitor the delinquency status of the Lariba financing portfolio.
• Coordinate with branch managers and the Credit Unit to implement prompt remedial action on overdue accounts.
• Analyse competitor activity and market trends.
• Provide the Head of Islamic Banking with data-driven insights for strategy adjustments.

4. Branch Capacity Building and Team Enablement (Weight: 10%)

The role builds the Islamic Banking capability of branch teams, ensuring front-line staff can confidently promote Lariba products and deliver compliant service.

Key responsibilities include:

• Coordinate and facilitate regular capacity-building sessions for branch staff.
• Deliver product training and sales skills workshops.
• Enhance branch staff’s ability to sell and service Islamic Banking products.
• Support branch teams in implementing their Islamic Banking activity plans.
• Provide coaching and joint client visits where needed.
• Act as the in-team subject matter expert on: Lariba products, Islamic Banking contracts, Customer interactions.
• Provide guidance and escalation support to junior staff.

5. Shari’ah Compliance and Risk Management (Weight: 10%)

The role upholds Shari’ah integrity across all business activities and supports the broader compliance framework of NBC’s Islamic Banking division.

Key responsibilities include:

• Ensure all customer-facing transactions, contracts, and communications are fully Shari’ah-compliant.
• Ensure all customer-facing activities are consistent with approved fatwas and Shari’ah Advisory Committee decisions.
• Identify and escalate any Shari’ah compliance risks observed in: Products, Processes, Transactions.
• Escalate Shari’ah compliance risks to the Shari’ah Compliance Manager or Head of Islamic Banking.
• Respond to queries from internal and external auditors.
• Provide necessary documentation during: Shari’ah audits, Internal audits, External audits.
• Assist the Head of Islamic Banking in implementing Shari’ah Advisory Committee decisions.
• Organise Shari’ah Advisory Committee-related activities.
• Maintain required documentation.
• Perform other duties and special assignments as directed by the Head of Islamic Banking or Managing Director.
• Lead or represent the department when required.

Role and Person Specification

Education and Experience Required

Essential requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Islamic Banking and Finance, Business Administration, Economics, Accounting, Marketing, or a related field.
• Master’s degree in business-related studies, which is an added advantage.
• Relevant professional qualification in Banking, Accounting, or Finance, which is an added advantage.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in Islamic Banking or a similar financial services role.
• Demonstrated track record in business development, customer acquisition, and sales performance within a financial institution.
• Practical experience with Islamic product contracts and their operational application, including: Murabaha, Ijarah, Musharaka, Mudaraba, Wakala.
• Experience in Shari’ah risk identification.
• Understanding of Shari’ah audit and review processes.

Desirable requirements:

• Professional qualification in Islamic Banking or Finance, such as: CIPA, AAOIFI, IFQ, Equivalent qualification.
• Experience working in a commercial bank’s Islamic Banking window or dedicated Islamic Banking unit.
• Familiarity with Bank of Tanzania regulatory requirements and Islamic Banking guidelines.

Knowledge and Skills

• Islamic Product Expertise: Deep working knowledge of Shari’ah-compliant product structures; ability to apply Islamic Banking products commercially across retail and business banking segments.
• Sales and Business Development: Proven ability to prospect, pitch, negotiate, and close business deals; strong target orientation; strong pipeline management skills.
• Credit and Risk Awareness: Sound understanding of credit assessment principles for Islamic financing products; portfolio management knowledge; ability to identify early warning indicators.
• Customer Relationship Management: Ability to build, manage, and grow a diverse client portfolio; ability to maintain high levels of client satisfaction and retention.
• Analytical Skills: Proficiency in performance reporting; ability to interpret data; ability to translate insights into actionable strategies.
• Communication and Presentation: Strong verbal and written communication skills; confidence in presenting to clients, management, and community audiences.

Competencies

• Entrepreneurial and Commercial Thinking: Identifies opportunities; takes initiative; consistently works toward growing the business.
• Deciding and Initiating Action: Acts decisively in acquiring clients and resolving issues; makes decisions comfortably within delegated authority.
• Relating and Networking: Builds strong internal and external networks; leverages relationships to generate business and support team goals.
• Persuading and Influencing: Communicates compellingly to convert prospects; influences stakeholders effectively; presents ideas clearly and persuasively.
• Adapting and Responding to Change: Thrives in dynamic environments; adjusts approaches based on market conditions and customer needs.
• Learning and Researching: Continuously updates knowledge of Islamic finance; keeps abreast of market trends and banking regulations.
• Creating and Innovating: Brings fresh ideas for customer solutions; develops business development strategies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degrees and Advanced Diplomas in Business, Commerce and Management Studies.
• Commercial mindset – Junior, meeting some requirements and requiring further development.
• Customer Excellence – Service Delivery, meeting all requirements.
• Digital familiarity, meeting all requirements.
• Effective communication – Basic, meeting all requirements.
• Experience in a similar environment.
• Openness to change, meeting some requirements and requiring further development.
• Product and/or Service Knowledge, meeting all requirements.
• Relationship building, meeting some requirements and requiring further development.

How to Apply:

Interested and qualified candidates should apply online through the official NBC recruitment portal.