Head, Atlantic Coop (Real estate)

Our client in the Mortgage and Real Estate Financing sector is seeking to recruit a Head, Atlantic Coop to provide strategic leadership and oversee the full spectrum of mortgage operations.

The role is central to steering the organisation toward long-term profitability, regulatory compliance, innovation, and sustainable growth. The successful candidate will bring deep experience in mortgage banking, credit risk management, and financial services leadership, with the ability to translate strategy into measurable outcomes for members and stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Growth

• Define and execute the strategic roadmap for mortgage and housing finance operations.
• Identify new opportunities for market growth, product innovation, and member value creation.
• Provide thought leadership to the Board on emerging trends in mortgage banking and real estate financing.

Operational Oversight

• Lead the day-to-day operations of mortgage lending, credit assessment, and loan servicing.
• Establish efficient systems for origination, underwriting, disbursement, and collections.
• Drive digital transformation initiatives to improve customer experience and operational efficiency.

Financial Performance and Risk Management

• Deliver sustainable profitability through sound pricing, portfolio management, and cost control.
• Oversee credit risk management frameworks, ensuring loan quality and minimal defaults.
• Monitor liquidity and funding strategies to support mortgage growth.

Regulatory and Governance Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with Nigerian mortgage banking regulations, cooperative laws, and housing finance policies.
• Build strong relationships with regulators, auditors, and financial partners.
• Maintain transparent reporting and accountability to the Board and cooperative members.

Stakeholder and Relationship Management

• Strengthen trust with members by ensuring accessible, affordable, and innovative housing finance solutions.
• Build strategic alliances with banks, housing developers, and financing partners.
• Represent the cooperative at industry forums, policy engagements, and stakeholder discussions.

People and Culture Leadership

• Build, mentor, and inspire a high-performing mortgage and credit team.
• Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and service excellence.
• Champion capacity-building initiatives to strengthen internal expertise in mortgage banking.

Reporting Structure and Relationships

• Reports directly to the Board of Directors.
• Collaborates with internal finance, risk, and operations teams to ensure alignment with overall cooperative objectives.
• Engages with regulators, investors, and housing sector partners.

General Expectations

1. Provide visionary leadership to drive growth in mortgage and housing finance.
2. Uphold the highest standards of governance, transparency, and compliance.
3. Balance profitability with member-centric housing solutions.
4. Position the cooperative as an innovative and trusted player in the mortgage sector.

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, Economics, or related field (MBA or postgraduate qualification preferred).
• Minimum of 10 years of senior leadership experience in banking or financial services, with at least 5 years in mortgage or retail lending.
• Strong knowledge of mortgage banking regulations, housing finance systems, and credit risk management.
• Proven track record of strategic thinking, business growth, and organisational leadership.
• Excellent relationship management skills and experience engaging with regulatory bodies.