Background

I&M Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of I&M Holdings Limited, a publicly quoted company at the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE). The bank possesses a rich heritage in banking.

Job Purpose:

The Business Manager to the COO is a senior strategic support role responsible for driving execution of the COO’s priorities across the Bank. The role ensures timely delivery of critical initiatives, tracks performance against agreed deliverables, and prepares high-quality Board and Executive Committee materials. The job holder will act as a trusted advisor and deputy to the COO, providing insight, analysis, and coordination across multiple business units. This role demands a highly capable professional with extensive banking sector experience, strong consulting/strategy expertise, and advanced technical skills (Microsoft Office Suite, AI tools, data analysis).

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Support & Coordination:

• Partner with the COO to execute the Bank’s strategic agenda and transformation programmes.
• Track deliverables across business units, ensuring timely follow-up, risk identification, and resolution of blockers.
• Provide structured briefings, talking points, and high-quality presentations for Board, Exco, and regulator engagements.
• Deputize for the COO in internal and external meetings as required.

Business & Performance Management:

• Develop frameworks and dashboards to monitor execution of COO priorities.
• Drive cross-functional alignment, ensuring initiatives are delivered to scope, quality, and budget.
• Prepare performance reviews, financial and operational analysis, and executive reports.

Process & Efficiency Enablement:

• Coordinate COO Office operations including meeting preparation, follow-up, and tracking of action points.
• Streamline workflows and optimize use of technology, including adoption of AI, automation, and digital productivity tools.

Stakeholder Engagement & Influence:

• Serve as a key liaison between the COO and business units, enabling clear communication and alignment.
• Influence outcomes across teams without direct authority by applying strong interpersonal and empathy skills.
• Build trusted relationships with internal and external stakeholders (Board members, regulators, auditors, strategic partners).

Academic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Economics, Finance, or related field (MBA or equivalent postgraduate degree strongly preferred).

Professional Qualifications / Membership to professional bodies/ Publication:

• Formal training in strategy, consulting, and finance essential.
• Certification in project management desirable (e.g., PMP, Prince2, or equivalent).

Work Experience Required:

• Minimum of 10 years' experience in the banking industry, with a blend of line and project/strategy roles.
• Prior experience in management consulting, corporate strategy, or transformation functions is essential.
• Demonstrated track record of influencing senior stakeholders and managing cross-functional initiatives.

Competencies:

• Strategic thinking, analytical ability, and strong problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional oral and written communication, with ability to prepare crisp executive outputs.
• High emotional intelligence, empathy, and influencing without authority.
• Strong understanding of technology, systems, architecture and associated trends.
• Strong organizational and execution focus with attention to detail.
• Adept at leveraging digital tools, AI, and data to drive efficiency.
• Deep understanding of banking operations, regulatory context, and market trends.
• Expertise in Microsoft PowerPoint and Excel at an advanced level.
• Exposure to AI, data analytics, and prompt engineering strongly preferred.

• Partner with the COO to execute the Bank’s strategic agenda and transformation programmes.
• Track deliverables across business units, ensuring timely follow-up, risk identification, and resolution of blockers.
• Provide structured briefings, talking points, and high-quality presentations for Board, Exco, and regulator engagements.
• Deputize for the COO in internal and external meetings as required.
• Develop frameworks and dashboards to monitor execution of COO priorities.
• Drive cross-functional alignment, ensuring initiatives are delivered to scope, quality, and budget.
• Prepare performance reviews, financial and operational analysis, and executive reports.
• Coordinate COO Office operations including meeting preparation, follow-up, and tracking of action points.
• Streamline workflows and optimize use of technology, including adoption of AI, automation, and digital productivity tools.
• Serve as a key liaison between the COO and business units, enabling clear communication and alignment.
• Influence outcomes across teams without direct authority by applying strong interpersonal and empathy skills.
• Build trusted relationships with internal and external stakeholders (Board members, regulators, auditors, strategic partners).

• Strategic thinking
• Analytical ability
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Exceptional oral and written communication
• High emotional intelligence
• Empathy
• Influencing without authority
• Strong understanding of technology, systems, architecture and associated trends
• Strong organizational and execution focus
• Attention to detail
• Adept at leveraging digital tools, AI, and data to drive efficiency
• Deep understanding of banking operations, regulatory context, and market trends
• Expertise in Microsoft PowerPoint and Excel at an advanced level
• Exposure to AI, data analytics, and prompt engineering strongly preferred

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Economics, Finance, or related field (MBA or equivalent postgraduate degree strongly preferred).
• Formal training in strategy, consulting, and finance essential.
• Certification in project management desirable (e.g., PMP, Prince2, or equivalent).