Head of Structuring, Kenya and Cluster Lead (Africa) at Equity Bank Kenya

Role Purpose

• We are seeking a dynamic and highly skilled professional to join our Treasury team as Head of Structuring and Cluster Lead. This role focus on delivering innovative and customized solutions to institutional, corporate and targeted SME clients across Africa, with a primary emphasis on commodities sales while also covering Rates and FX products.
• The successful candidate will bridge clients’ needs with market opportunities, structuring tailored solutions that enhance risk management, optimize returns and support business growth.
• The role bridges regional commodities flow with global financial markets, enabling corporate, financial institutions and SMEs to manage risk, access financing, hedging solutions and optimize trade opportunities. The position requires deep expertise in commodities, structured products, and client relation management, with a focus on growth, connectivity and strategic impact.
• The incumbent will be responsible for designing, marketing, and scaling innovative commodity and structured solutions, leveraging derivatives and related risk‑management instruments to enhance the Bank’s value proposition across Africa, in alignment with the Group Treasury Strategy

Key Responsibilities 

Business Development & Market Growth 

• Execute all transactions in line with the “Sales and Structuring” Product Note.
• Identify and pursue opportunities to expand the bank’s sales and structuring franchise across Africa. Focusing on FX, Rates and Commodities hedging solutions.
• Develop tailored, market‑relevant solutions for corporates (agribusiness, energy, mining, manufacturing, etc.), financial institutions (banks, funds, insurers), and targeted SMEs, proactively identifying structuring opportunities that address their risk management and financing needs. Drive revenue growth through structured commodity financing, hedging, and trade facilitation products
• Position the bank as a regional hub connecting Africa commodity, structured FX flows and Rates with international markets.
• Scan the markets for opportunities across the asset classes – FX, Rates and Commodities and drive client engagement and solutioning across FX, Rates and Commodities.
• Prepare periodic reports required for Group and Implement performance controls to proactively measure achievement against strategic targets and address changes or non-performance.
• Represent the Structuring desk in industry, bank forums and governance structures as required or directed.

Client Engagements & relationship management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with targeted clients, including multinational corporations, regional champions, and institutional investors.
• Act as a trusted partner, providing insights on commodity markets, risk management, financing structures and hedging solutions.
• Deliver client pitches, proposals, and product demonstration that highlight the bank’s unique value proposition
• Collaborate with trading desks, risk, and treasury to ensure optimal pricing and execution.
• Innovate new products that address Africa-specific challenges (e.g. currency volatility, regulatory constraints etc.)

Regional and Global Connectivity

• Leverage the bank’s network to connect Africa clients with global commodity markets.
• Facilitate cross-border trade flows, linking producers, exporters and importers with international buyers and financiers by providing hedging solutions.
• Partner with global institutions to co-create solutions that enhance Africa’s integration into global supply chains

Risk Management & Compliance

• Ensure all structured deals comply with regulatory requirements across Africa jurisdictions.
• Work closely with risk teams to assess credit, market and operational risks in commodity transactions
• Promote sustainable and responsible financial products, aligned with ESG standards.
• Identify, measure, monitor and mitigate Liquidity, FX and Interest Rate risk across the Group.
• Oversee hedging strategies and ensure alignment with risk appetite and policies.
• Management of counterparty exposures and maintain strong banking relationships.

Strategic Leadership and Collaboration

• Contribute to the bank’s commodities strategy, aligning with regional growth priorities as per ARRP.
• Collaborate with product, coverage and operations teams to deliver seamless client solutions.
• Mentor junior staff and build internal expertise in commodities structuring.
• Design and execute structured commodity solutions.

Processes

• Responsible for the continuous supervision of processing and execution of all structuring deals in the various treasury units.
• Ensures that the daily transactions and activities conform to the set business goals and objectives.

Governance

• Ensure compliance with all Group and treasury governance policies.
• Promote an environment where compliance with internal controls and external regulatory framework is honored and central focus area of the business across multiple markets.
• Engage with auditor when required to provide the required support.
• Display exemplary conduct values by living the Group’s values and code of conduct.
• Take personal responsibility by promoting the highest standard of ethics, including regulatory and business conduct across our footprint.
• Identify, escalate and resolve any risk, conduct and compliance matters working closely with the Treasury Risk & Control Manager.
• Execute all transactions in line with the “Sales and Structuring” Product Note and any other relevant governance document.

Talent management

• Build a strong talent pipeline transparently, in line with diversity & inclusion KPIs and other KPIs in general with specific performance metrics on the Group values, code of conduct.
• Provide training and guidance to local teams on liquidity risk frameworks.

Project Management

• Lead end‑to‑end delivery of structuring, commodities and market solutions projects across multiple subsidiaries, ensuring alignment with the Group Treasury Strategy and ARRP priorities.
• Drive cross‑functional execution involving Product, Coverage, Risk, Legal, Operations, Technology, and external partners to deliver client‑ready solutions on time and within scope.
• Manage the full project lifecycle including scoping, requirements definition, solution design, stakeholder alignment, governance approvals, execution, and post‑implementation reviews.
• Maintain a structured project governance framework, ensuring clear milestones, accountability, risk identification, dependency management, and escalation protocols across markets.
• Oversee development and rollout of new products, system enhancements, and process improvements (e.g., pricing models, onboarding flows, documentation templates, risk analytics).
• Ensure all projects comply with regulatory requirements across African jurisdictions and Group policies, including conduct, risk management, model governance, and product approval processes.
• Track project KPIs, implementation risks, resource needs, and budget considerations while providing timely updates to senior leadership and governance committees.
• Champion digital transformation within Structuring by driving automation, analytics adoption, and integration of global platforms that enhance scalability and client experience.
• Build project execution capability within teams through coaching, best practice sharing, and professional project management discipline.

Qualifications 

Experience Requirements

• 10+ years’ experience in Treasury with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
• Proven track record in commodity products, structuring products and risk management solutions.
• Experience working with African corporates and financial institutions in highly desirable.
• Deep understanding of global liquidity management, funding, pooling and funding structures and financial products and markets.
• Strong understanding of African financial markets, regulatory environments and cross-border treasury operations
• Expertise in Treasury Management Systems such as Derivatives.
• Advanced analytical and financial modelling skills (excel, Power point presentations etc.)
• Exceptional leadership, communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Be creative and deliver on time in a highly pressurized environment, be goal oriented and an Enabler.
• Considering both local and non-local candidates with cross-market exposure (particularly within Africa)

Academic Qualifications and Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Economics, Business, or related field, Master’s degree preferred.
• Professional certification (e.g. CFA, FRM, or equivalent).
• ACI dealing certificate is a requirement