Executive Banking Jobs in Nigeria: MD, COO, Internal Audit, & CFO Roles at a Mortgage Bank

Our client, a fast-growing and fully regulated Mortgage Bank, is embarking on a strategic expansion and transformation journey. To strengthen its leadership team and drive sustainable growth, the Bank is seeking highly qualified, experienced, and results-driven professionals to fill the following executive positions at its Head Office:

• Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO)
• Executive Director / Chief Operating Officer (ED/COO)
• Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
• Head of Internal Audit

These roles offer a unique opportunity to shape the future of a forward-looking mortgage institution and play a critical role in Nigeria’s housing finance and real estate ecosystem.

MANAGING DIRECTOR (MD) / CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (CEO)

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership & Governance

• Develop and implement the bank’s strategic plan in line with Board-approved objectives.
• Provide leadership in defining the bank’s long-term vision, growth strategy, and market positioning.
• Ensure effective corporate governance practices and adherence to Board policies.
• Serve as the principal liaison between the Board, Management, regulators, and key stakeholders.

2. Business Development & Growth

• Drive mortgage portfolio growth through innovative products, strategic partnerships, and market expansion.
• Identify and exploit new business opportunities in retail, commercial, and institutional mortgage markets.
• Oversee product development tailored to housing finance, construction finance, and real estate funding.
• Strengthen customer acquisition, retention, and service excellence strategies.

3. Financial Management & Performance

• Ensure profitability, capital adequacy, liquidity, and balance sheet optimization.
• Oversee budgeting, financial planning, and performance monitoring against agreed targets.
• Ensure prudent asset-liability management and cost control.
• Present periodic financial and performance reports to the Board.

4. RISK MANAGEMENT & INTERNAL CONTROLS

• Ensure the establishment and maintenance of a robust risk management framework covering credit, market, operational, liquidity, and compliance risks.
• Promote a strong risk culture and ensure adherence to approved risk appetite.
• Oversee effective internal controls, audit functions, and fraud prevention mechanisms.

5. REGULATORY & COMPLIANCE OVERSIGHT

• Ensure full compliance with regulations and guidelines issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), and other relevant regulatory bodies.
• Maintain strong relationships with regulators and ensure timely submission of
• Ensure compliance with Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Know Your Customer (KYC), and corporate governance requirements.

6. OPERATIONS & PROCESS EXCELLENCE

• Provide oversight of all operational functions to ensure efficiency, service quality, and process optimization.
• Drive digital transformation and adoption of technology to enhance service delivery and operational efficiency.
• Ensure effective branch and channel management.

7. HUMAN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT & CULTURE

• Provide leadership in building a high-performing management team.
• Promote a strong ethical culture, professionalism, and performance-driven work environment.
• Ensure effective succession planning, staff development, and capacity building.

8. STAKEHOLDER & RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT

• Represent the bank to shareholders, investors, regulators, government agencies, partners, and the public.
• Build and sustain strong relationships with developers, estate managers, institutional investors, and housing sector stakeholders.
• Enhance the bank’s corporate image and brand reputation.
• Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
• Profitability and return on equity
• Growth in mortgage portfolio and deposits
• Asset quality and non-performing loan (NPL) ratio
• Regulatory compliance and audit ratings

• Customer satisfaction and service delivery metrics
• Operational efficiency and cost-to-income ratio

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Educational Qualifications
• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Banking, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
• A Master’s degree (MBA, MSc Finance, Economics, or related field) is highly desirable.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Membership of relevant professional bodies such as:
• Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN)
• Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) / ANAN
• Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) or equivalent (added advantage)

EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of 15–20 years post-qualification experience in banking or financial services.
• At least 5–10 years in senior executive management, preferably within a mortgage bank, commercial bank, or financial institution.
• Proven experience in mortgage finance, housing finance, credit management, and balance sheet management.
• Strong strategic thinking and leadership skills
• In-depth knowledge of mortgage banking operations and regulations
• Financial acumen and risk management expertise
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills
• Proven ability to drive growth and manage change
• High ethical standards, integrity, and sound judgment

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR / CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER (ED/COO)

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. EXECUTIVE & STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP

• Participate as a Board member in setting the bank’s strategic direction and operational priorities.
• Translate Board-approved strategy into executable operational plans across all branches and channels.
• Provide strategic input on growth initiatives, new products, and market expansion from an operational perspective.

2. END-TO-END OPERATIONS OVERSIGHT

• Provide executive oversight of all operational functions including branch operations, back office, mortgage processing, service delivery, and shared services.
• Ensure seamless execution of mortgage origination, documentation, disbursement, servicing, and recovery processes.
• Maintain high operational efficiency, accuracy, and service quality across the bank.

3. PROCESS EXCELLENCE & DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

• Drive process automation, digitization, and adoption of technology to improve turnaround time and customer experience.
• Oversee operational readiness for new systems, digital channels, and mortgage products.

• Champion continuous improvement, lean processes, and operational innovation.

4. OPERATIONAL RISK MANAGEMENT & INTERNAL CONTROLS

• Ensure the implementation of robust operational risk management frameworks.
• Oversee internal controls, segregation of duties, and adherence to approved policies and procedures.
• Work closely with Risk Management, Internal Audit, and Compliance to mitigate operational, fraud, and technology risks.

5. REGULATORY COMPLIANCE & GOVERNANCE

• Ensure compliance with CBN, NDIC, FMBN, AML/CFT, KYC, consumer protection, and other applicable regulations from an operations standpoint.
• Support regulatory examinations and ensure timely resolution of operational audit and regulatory findings.
• Uphold sound corporate governance practices and ethical standards within operations.

6. SERVICE DELIVERY & CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

• Ensure the delivery of consistent, high-quality customer service across all operational touchpoints.
• Establish and monitor service level agreements (SLAs) and turnaround times for mortgage and banking services.
• Oversee complaint resolution processes in line with regulatory guidelines.

7. BUSINESS CONTINUITY & OPERATIONAL RESILIENCE

• Ensure the development, testing, and maintenance of Business Continuity Plans (BCP) and Disaster Recovery (DR) frameworks.
• Strengthen operational resilience against disruptions, system failures, and external risks.

8. FINANCIAL & COST MANAGEMENT

• Oversee operational budgets and ensure effective cost control and optimization.
• Improve operational efficiency metrics such as cost-to-income ratio without compromising service quality or compliance.

9. PEOPLE LEADERSHIP & CAPACITY BUILDING

• Provide executive leadership to operations teams and senior managers.
• Drive talent development, performance management, and succession planning within operations.
• Promote a culture of accountability, professionalism, and customer-centricity.

10. STAKEHOLDER & RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT

• Interface with regulators, vendors, service providers, and strategic partners on operational matters.
• Oversee vendor and outsourcing arrangements in line with regulatory guidelines.
• Represent operations at Board, Management, and external stakeholder forums.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPIS)

• Operational efficiency and turnaround time metrics
• Service delivery quality and customer satisfaction
• Operational loss and error reduction
• Audit and regulatory examination ratings
• Cost-to-income ratio improvement
• Business continuity and system uptime performance

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Banking & Finance, Business Administration, Accounting, Economics, or a related discipline.
• A Master’s degree (MBA, MSc, or equivalent) is highly desirable.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Membership of relevant professional bodies such as:
• Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN)
• Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) / ANAN (advantage)
• Relevant operations, risk, or management certifications are added advantages.

EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of 15–20 years’ experience in banking or financial services.
• At least 7–10 years in senior management or executive leadership roles, preferably within a mortgage bank or commercial bank.
• Strong exposure to mortgage operations, branch management, digital banking, and regulatory compliance.

MANAGING DIRECTOR/CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. FINANCIAL STRATEGY & LEADERSHIP

• Develop and implement financial strategies that align with the bank’s vision, growth objectives, and regulatory framework.
• Advise the Managing Director and Board on financial planning, capital structuring, and investment opportunities.
• Lead the budgeting and forecasting process, ensuring financial discipline and alignment with strategic goals.
• Support long-term funding initiatives and manage relationships with investors, regulators, and financial institutions.

2. FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT & CONTROL

• Oversee all accounting, finance, treasury, and reporting functions of the bank.
• Ensure accurate and timely preparation of financial statements, management reports, and regulatory returns (CBN, NDIC, FIRS, etc.).
• Manage liquidity, cash flow, and funding to ensure operational efficiency and capital adequacy.
• Implement sound internal controls, risk management, and cost optimization measures.
• Supervise reconciliation, audit processes, and ensure prompt resolution of financial discrepancies.

3. MORTGAGE BANKING FINANCE OVERSIGHT

• Design and manage financial models specific to mortgage origination, refinancing, and securitization.
• Ensure proper valuation and accounting of mortgage portfolios, property-backed assets, and loan loss provisions.
• Monitor performance of mortgage-backed assets, interest income, and credit risk exposures.
• Collaborate with business development and credit teams to structure financially viable mortgage products.

4. REGULATORY COMPLIANCE & REPORTING

• Ensure strict adherence to all financial, accounting, and tax regulations as prescribed by CBN, NDIC, FIRS, and other relevant authorities.
• Oversee timely submission of regulatory reports and returns.
• Maintain effective working relationships with external auditors, regulators, and financial partners
• Keep abreast of changes in financial and mortgage banking regulations and implement necessary updates to policies and procedures.

5. CORPORATE FINANCE & TREASURY MANAGEMENT

• Manage the bank’s capital raising, investment, and asset-liability management strategies.
• Optimize returns on investments and ensure prudent management of the bank’s funds.
• Oversee treasury operations and funding strategies to maintain liquidity and profitability.

6. LEADERSHIP & PEOPLE MANAGEMENT

• Lead, mentor, and develop the Finance and Accounts team to achieve departmental and organizational goals.
• Promote a culture of accountability, performance excellence, and ethical financial management.
• Collaborate with other department heads to drive organizational efficiency and growth.

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE & SKILLS:

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or a related discipline.
• Professional accounting qualification such as ICAN, ACCA, or CPA is mandatory.
• A Master’s (MBA or M.Sc. in Finance) is an added advantage.

EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of 13 years post-qualification experience in finance, accounting, or treasury management.
• At least 5 years in a senior management or executive role within the mortgage banking or financial services sector.
• Proven track record in financial planning, mortgage portfolio management, regulatory reporting, and strategic leadership.

KEY COMPETENCIES:

• Strong knowledge of CBN guidelines, mortgage banking operations, and financial reporting standards (IFRS).
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Strong leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Proven ability to manage complex financial structures and deliver results under pressure.
• High integrity, transparency, and commitment to corporate governance standards.

GROUP HEAD, OPERATIONS

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. OPERATIONS STRATEGY & GOVERNANCE

• Develop and implement a robust operations strategy aligned with the bank’s overall business objectives.
• Establish standardized operational policies, procedures, and service delivery frameworks across the bank.
• Ensure effective governance, controls, and oversight of all operational activities

2. BRANCH & SERVICE DELIVERY MANAGEMENT

• Oversee day-to-day branch operations to ensure efficiency, consistency, and service excellence.
• Ensure adherence to service level agreements (SLAs) and turnaround times for mortgage and banking transactions.
• Resolve escalated operational issues and customer service failures promptly.

3. MORTGAGE & CREDIT OPERATIONS

• Oversee end-to-end mortgage operations including account opening, loan processing, disbursement, documentation, custody, and repayments.
• Ensure accurate processing of retail, commercial, and construction mortgage products.
• Coordinate with Credit, Risk, Legal, and Business units to ensure smooth transaction execution.

4. PROCESS IMPROVEMENT & DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

• Drive process automation, digitization, and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency and reduce costs.
• Lead operational readiness for new products, systems, and channels.
• Identify bottlenecks and implement lean process improvements across operations.

5. OPERATIONAL RISK MANAGEMENT & CONTROLS

• Identify, assess, and mitigate operational risks across all functions.
• Ensure strong internal controls, segregation of duties, and compliance with approved processes.
• Support Internal Audit and Risk Management in audits, reviews, and remediation of findings.

6. REGULATORY COMPLIANCE & REPORTING

• Ensure compliance with CBN, NDIC, FMBN, and other regulatory operational guidelines.
• Ensure timely and accurate submission of operational and regulatory returns.
• Implement and monitor compliance with AML/CFT, KYC, and consumer protection requirements within operations.

7. VENDOR & OUTSOURCING MANAGEMENT

• Oversee third-party service providers, vendors, and outsourced operations.
• Ensure vendor contracts meet regulatory and service delivery standards.
• Monitor vendor performance and ensure business continuity arrangements are in place.

8. BUSINESS CONTINUITY & DISASTER RECOVERY

• Develop, test, and maintain Business Continuity Plans (BCP) and Disaster Recovery (DR) frameworks.
• Ensure operational resilience and readiness for emergencies, system failures, or disruptions.

9. FINANCIAL & COST MANAGEMENT

• Manage operations budget and control operational expenses.
• Drive cost optimization initiatives without compromising service quality or compliance.

10. PEOPLE MANAGEMENT & CAPACITY BUILDING

• Lead, mentor, and develop operations staff across branches and units.
• Ensure adequate staffing, training, and performance management within operations.
• Promote a culture of accountability, efficiency, and customer-centricity.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPIS)

• Operational efficiency and turnaround times
• Service delivery quality and customer satisfaction
• Reduction in operational losses and errors
• Audit ratings and closure of audit issues
• Compliance with regulatory and internal policies
• Cost-to-income ratio improvement

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Banking & Finance, Business Administration, Accounting, Economics, or a related discipline.
• A Master’s degree (MBA, MSc, or equivalent) is an added advantage.
• Professional Qualifications
• Membership of relevant professional bodies such as:
• Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN)
• Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) / ANAN (advantage)
• Relevant risk or operations certifications (added advantage)

EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of 12–15 years’ experience in banking or financial services operations.
• At least 5 years in a senior operations leadership role, preferably within a mortgage bank or commercial bank.
• Strong exposure to branch operations, mortgage processing, and regulatory compliance.
• Core Competencies & Skills
• Deep knowledge of mortgage banking operations and regulatory requirements
• Strong leadership, people management, and decision-making skills
• Excellent process management and problem-solving abilities
• Strong understanding of operational risk and internal controls
• High level of integrity and professionalism
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills

HEAD OF INTERNAL AUDIT

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. AUDIT STRATEGY & PLANNING

• Develop and implement a risk-based annual internal audit plan approved by the Board Audit Committee.
• Ensure audit coverage of all banking activities including mortgage lending, treasury, operations, IT, branches, and support functions.
• Periodically review and update the audit universe in line with emerging risks.

2. EXECUTION OF INTERNAL AUDITS

• Conduct independent audits and reviews of financial, operational, compliance, and IT processes.
• Evaluate the adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls, risk management frameworks, and governance processes.
• Ensure audits are conducted in line with International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing (IIA Standards).

3. MORTGAGE & CREDIT AUDIT OVERSIGHT

• Review mortgage origination, credit appraisal, documentation, disbursement, monitoring, and recovery processes.
• Assess asset quality, loan classification, provisioning, and compliance with credit policies and CBN guidelines.
• Identify credit, operational, and compliance risks within mortgage products and processes.

4. REGULATORY COMPLIANCE & CONTROL ASSURANCE

• Assess compliance with CBN, NDIC, FMBN, AML/CFT, KYC, consumer protection, and other regulatory requirements.
• Review accuracy and integrity of regulatory returns and statutory reports.
• Support regulatory examinations by providing required audit reports and documentation.

5. FRAUD RISK & INVESTIGATION

• Develop and implement fraud prevention and detection mechanisms.
• Conduct investigations into suspected fraud, misconduct, and policy breaches.
• Report audit findings, fraud cases, and control weaknesses promptly to Management and the Board Audit Committee.

6. REPORTING & FOLLOW-UP

• Prepare clear, concise, and timely audit reports highlighting key findings, risks, and recommendations.
• Track and monitor the implementation of agreed management actions.
• Escalate unresolved high-risk issues to the Board Audit Committee.

7. ADVISORY & CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

• Provide advisory services on new products, processes, systems, and strategic initiatives while maintaining independence.
• Recommend improvements to internal controls, policies, and operational efficiency.
• Promote a strong risk and control culture across the bank.

8. COORDINATION WITH EXTERNAL AUDITORS & REGULATORS

• Liaise with External Auditors, regulators, and examiners as required.
• Ensure effective coordination to avoid duplication of audit efforts.
• Review external audit findings and monitor management’s response.

9. PEOPLE & RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

• Lead, mentor, and develop internal audit staff.
• Ensure the Internal Audit function is adequately resourced and skilled.
• Facilitate continuous professional development and training for audit staff.

INDEPENDENCE & AUTHORITY

• The Head of Internal Audit shall have unrestricted access to all records, personnel, systems, and physical properties relevant to audit activities.
• The role operates independently of Management in line with best governance practices and regulatory expectations.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPIS)

• Timely completion of the annual audit plan
• Quality and impact of audit reports and recommendations
• Closure rate of audit issues
• Reduction in repeat audit findings
• Regulatory and external audit rating

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Banking, Economics, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
• A Master’s degree (MBA, MSc, or equivalent) is an added advantage.
• Professional Qualifications (Mandatory / Strongly Preferred)
• Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) or ANAN
• Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) is highly desirable
• Other relevant certifications such as CISA, CFE, or CRMA are added advantages

EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of 10–15 years’ post-qualification experience in banking, financial services, or audit.
• At least 5 years in a senior internal audit or control role, preferably within a mortgage bank or regulated financial institution.
• Strong knowledge of mortgage banking operations, credit processes, and regulatory frameworks.

How To Apply

To apply, send your CV with position as subject to hr@mecer.consulting.