Umba is a pan-African digital bank serving customers in both Kenya and Nigeria. Our mission entails providing accessible and cost-effective financial services across Africa, enabling our customers to take charge of their financial well-being. We are committed to seizing a unique opportunity to transform the financial landscape in Africa by harnessing the power of machine learning to develop intelligent, affordable financial products tailored for emerging markets. Our machine learning models are continuously improving, and we leverage AI and automation to deliver banking solutions at the lowest possible cost to our expanding customer base.
Umba is headquartered in Nairobi Kenya. Our primary focus is to offer a comprehensive range of digital banking products through Android, iOS and Web Apps, and we take pride in our culture of consistently surpassing customer expectations, which has fueled our rapid expansion.
Umba acquired a deposit taking microfinance bank in Kenya in 2023, which has now been named Umba Microfinance Bank. The bank has achieved fast growth since launch with average monthly growth rate of 19% and 6x revenue growth in 2024.
Job Summary
The Relationship Manager is responsible for developing and executing strategies to grow and manage the institution’s deposit base (liabilities) while cultivating and maintaining strategic affiliations and partnerships. The role also includes overseeing a team responsible for deposit mobilization and partner engagement, ensuring continuous staff development, and aligning with organizational goals in liquidity and funding.
Responsibilities
1. Liabilities Management
- Develop and implement strategies to attract and retain deposit customers across various segments.
- Monitor and manage the bank’s deposit portfolio to ensure diversification and cost-effectiveness.
- Collaborate with product teams to enhance or launch liability products (e.g., savings, fixed deposits, current accounts). Actively contribute to the end-to-end design, review, and improvement of liability-focused financial products.
- Provide frontline market intelligence, customer feedback, and competitor insights to support product development.
- Track and analyze market trends, competitor offerings, and customer behavior to inform pricing and product development.
- Ensure all product changes are aligned with regulatory requirements and support the institution’s deposit mobilization objectives.
- Support Treasury in managing the cost of funds and ensuring adequate daily liquidity levels.
- Identify, initiate, and manage affiliations with corporate clients and other institutions.
- Structure and negotiate partnership agreements that generate deposit inflows or strengthen the bank’s ecosystem.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with partners to ensure mutual value creation and customer acquisition.
- Ensure all products and affiliation agreements comply with regulatory guidelines.
- Work closely with Risk and Compliance teams to mitigate risks associated with third-party relationships.
- Supervise, support, and coach the team.
- Set clear performance targets and monitor progress regularly.
- Conduct periodic team reviews and provide feedback to improve productivity and outcomes.
- Foster a performance-driven culture focused on ownership, accountability, and innovation.
- Identify skills gaps within the team and implement tailored training programs.
- Organize regular knowledge-sharing sessions and workshops on liabilities products, market positioning, and compliance standards.
- Collaborate with HR to ensure team members have career development plans.
- Champion onboarding and capacity building for new staff or affiliate partners.
- Coordinate with Marketing, Finance, and IT to support product rollouts and partner integrations.
- Prepare reports and presentations for senior management on performance, risks, and opportunities.
· Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field; MBA or professional certification is an advantage.
· Minimum of 5–7 years of experience in banking, preferably in liabilities management, treasury, or partnership development.
· Proven track record of deposit mobilization and institutional relationship management.
· Experience in managing and developing high-performing teams.
· Strong analytical, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
· Good understanding of banking regulations and treasury operations.
Umba is an equal opportunity employer and encourage applications from all qualified individuals. Please submit your application by 8 September 2026 for consideration.
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field
- MBA or professional certification
- 5–7 years of experience in banking, preferably in liabilities management, treasury, or partnership development
- Proven track record of deposit mobilization and institutional relationship management
- Experience managing and developing high-performing teams
- Strong analytical, negotiation, and interpersonal skills
- Good understanding of banking regulations and treasury operations
What We Do
Umba is an African digital bank, offering bank accounts and financial services to our customers. We provide an ecosystem of connected financial services that allows the customer complete control of their finances all in one App. At Umba, we believe in the power of financial inclusion to drive economic growth. As a leading digital bank, we are committed to providing innovative solutions that empower both employers and employees to achieve financial stability and reach their full potential. Umba launched in Nigeria in January 2021, and in Kenya in April 2023, via the acquisition of an existing Microfinance bank. Our digital platform offers seamless access to a wide range of banking services, including account management, payments, loans, savings, and more. We leverage technology and data-driven insights to streamline processes and make banking faster, smarter, and more convenient than ever before. But we are not just a bank. We are a partner, a trusted advisor, and a catalyst for growth. Our team of talented professionals is passionate about our mission, and we work tirelessly to deliver personalized service and tailored solutions to our customers. With our extensive network and expertise, we are well-positioned to support our customers at every stage of their journey. Join us at Umba, and be part of a dynamic team that is reshaping the future of banking. Together, we can unlock the potential of businesses, transform lives, and drive sustainable economic development. Connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram to learn more about our innovative solutions and the exciting opportunities that await you at Umba.
