Head of Credit

We are seeking an experienced and commercially astute Head of Credit to lead the organization's credit management, risk assessment, collections, and credit control functions.The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and implementing the overall credit strategy, ensuring a healthy receivables portfolio while supporting business growth. The role requires a strong balance between commercial objectives, credit risk management, cash-flow optimization, and governance.This is a confidential senior-level position, and further details regarding the organization and reporting structure will be shared with shortlisted candidates.Key ResponsibilitiesCredit Strategy & Risk ManagementDevelop and implement the overall credit strategy in line with the organization's business objectives and risk appetite.Establish and maintain robust credit policies, procedures, approval frameworks, and authority limits.Assess creditworthiness of new and existing customers and determine appropriate credit limits and payment terms.Review customer financial information, credit reports, payment history, business performance, and other relevant risk indicators.Identify, assess, and proactively mitigate credit risks across the customer portfolio.Establish appropriate risk-rating and customer segmentation methodologies.Regularly review credit policies to ensure they remain aligned with market conditions and business requirements.Credit Approval & GovernanceLead the credit approval process for new customers, credit limit increases, payment terms, and exceptional requests.Ensure all credit decisions are properly documented, justified, and within approved authority levels.Review and approve credit applications in accordance with the delegated authority matrix.Escalate high-risk exposures and significant exceptions to Senior Management where required.Ensure strong segregation of duties and appropriate internal controls across the credit function.Maintain comprehensive documentation and audit trails for all significant credit decisions.Accounts Receivable & CollectionsOversee the organization's accounts receivable and collections activities.Drive timely collection of outstanding receivables and improve overall cash conversion.Monitor ageing reports, overdue balances, customer exposure, and collection performance.Develop strategies to reduce DSO, overdue receivables, bad debt, and credit losses.Establish collection targets and KPIs for the credit control team.Ensure effective follow-up and escalation of overdue accounts.Review and manage high-value or high-risk overdue accounts.Work with Legal and relevant business functions on escalated recovery cases where required.Portfolio ManagementMonitor the overall credit portfolio and identify emerging risks.Analyze customer exposure by segment, business unit, location, industry, and risk category.Establish appropriate concentration limits and exposure controls.Monitor utilization of approved credit limits and identify excessive exposure.Review customer payment behavior and adjust credit terms where necessary.Provide early-warning indicators for customers showing signs of financial stress or deteriorating payment behavior.Business PartnershipPartner closely with Sales, Finance, Operations, and Senior Management to balance business growth with credit risk.Support commercial teams in structuring appropriate payment terms while protecting the organization's financial interests.Provide credit recommendations for major customers, contracts, tenders, and business opportunities.Ensure Sales teams understand and comply with approved credit policies and customer payment terms.Challenge commercial decisions where credit exposure presents unacceptable levels of risk.Reporting & AnalyticsPrepare regular credit and receivables reports for Senior Management.Develop dashboards covering key credit and collection KPIs.Monitor:DSOAgeing receivablesOverdue percentageCollection efficiencyBad debtCredit lossesCredit exposureCustomer concentrationCredit-limit utilisationCash collectionProvide management with clear insights, trends, risks, and recommended corrective actions.Use data and analytics to improve credit decision-making and collection performance.Team LeadershipLead, develop, and motivate the Credit and Collections team.Establish clear objectives, KPIs, and performance expectations.Develop the team's credit assessment, negotiation, collection, and analytical capabilities.Review team performance and implement improvement plans where required.Ensure adequate manpower and resources to support business requirements.Promote a strong culture of accountability, risk awareness, and customer professionalism.Compliance & Internal ControlsEnsure compliance with internal credit policies, delegated authorities, and applicable UAE regulations.Maintain strong controls over credit approvals, customer master data, credit limits, and collections.Support internal and external audits and ensure timely closure of audit observations.Identify control weaknesses and implement corrective actions.Ensure appropriate controls are in place to minimise fraud, financial loss, and bad debt exposure.Candidate ProfileBachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, or a related discipline.Professional qualification such as CA, ACCA, CPA, CFA, CIMA, or equivalent would be an advantage.10–15+ years of experience in Credit, Credit Risk, Collections, Accounts Receivable, or Financial Risk Management.Minimum 5 years in a senior credit management / leadership position.UAE or GCC experience preferred.Strong experience in credit assessment, credit policy, collections, and portfolio management.Proven experience managing significant customer credit exposure and high-value accounts.Strong financial analysis and commercial understanding.Experience working closely with Sales and Finance teams.Strong knowledge of credit risk principles, controls, and governance.Excellent negotiation, communication, and stakeholder-management skills.Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.Advanced Excel and experience with ERP/financial systems and credit-management tools.