Business Planning Manager at Equity Bank Kenya

Job Purpose:

The Business Planning Manager is responsible for driving the strategic planning, financial forecasting, and performance monitoring functions within the Enterprise Risk department. This role ensures that risk management strategies align with the bank’s overall business objectives and facilitate informed decision-making by senior management.

Key Responsibilities 

Regulatory & Compliance Support:

• Monitor regulatory developments and ensure timely implementation of compliance measures.
• Assist in the preparation of reports for regulatory bodies, senior management, and the board risk committee.
• Ensure compliance with Basel regulations, IFRS 9 provisions, and local banking regulations.

Strategic Planning & Business Support:

• Lead the strategic planning process for the Enterprise Risk department, ensuring alignment with the bank’s corporate strategy.
• Monitor and report on departmental performance metrics, ensuring continuous improvement in risk management operations.
• Coordinate preparing annual risk management plans, budgets, and performance reports.
• Monitor and report on Key Risk Indicators (KRIs) across all risk areas to support decision-making.
• Support the development of risk-related policies and procedures in alignment with regulatory requirements and industry best practices.

Budgeting & Financial Planning

• Develop and manage the Enterprise Risk department’s annual budget in coordination with finance teams.
• Conduct financial analysis and forecasting to support resource allocation and risk initiatives.
• Ensure cost-effective utilization of risk management resources while maintaining operational efficiency.

Performance Monitoring & Reporting:

• Track and analyze risk trends across all domains and provide insights to senior management.
• Prepare dashboards and reports on risk performance metrics for internal and external stakeholders.
• Identify process improvement opportunities to enhance risk reporting efficiency.

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication:

• Work closely with business units to embed a risk-aware culture across the bank.
• Assist in risk training programs to build risk awareness and capabilities among staff.
• Collaborate with IT and data teams to improve risk reporting systems.

Risk Oversight & Coordination:

• Act as a liaison between risk functions (Credit, Market, Liquidity, Operational, Fraud, Treasury Middle Office, ESG) to ensure effective risk integration.
• Facilitate risk committee meetings, including preparing reports, presentations, and action tracking.
• Support the implementation of risk mitigation strategies and stress testing exercises.
• Collaborate with the Risk Analytics team to enhance data-driven risk assessment.

Qualifications

Qualifications And Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Risk Management, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field (master’s degree preferred).
• Professional certifications such as CFA, FRM, PRM, or equivalent will be an advantage.
• Minimum 3+ years of experience in risk management, business planning, or financial analysis within the banking sector.
• Strong understanding of risk frameworks (Basel II/III, ICAAP, IFRS 9), financial modeling, and regulatory compliance.
• Experience in handling risk reporting, strategy formulation, and cross-functional coordination.

Key Competencies & Skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a strategic mindset.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and presentation skills.
•  Ability to work with large datasets and develop insightful reports.
• Proficiency in risk management software, data visualization tools, and MS Office Suite.
•  Strong leadership, organizational, and project management abilities.