Senior Associate - Business Development (Institutional Business) at ICEA Lion Group in Nairobi, Kenya

    ICEA Lion Group logo

    Senior Associate - Business Development (Institutional Business)

    ICEA Lion GroupNairobi, Kenya

    Posted

    2 days ago

    Apply by

    31 Aug

    Full Time
    On Site
    Senior
    Banking, Insurance & Financial Services
    Sales

    Build your CV in minutes! Tailored for the Kenyan job market.

    Build My CV

    Job Description

    The Senior Associate – Business Development Institutional Business will lead the acquisition and growth of ICEA LION Asset Management's non-pension institutional portfolio, focusing on consolidators, trusts, endowment funds, NGOs, and private entities. The role will originate and secure new mandates, build governance-level relationships, and drive sustainable growth in the assets under management. The role will also provide support and oversight on pension mandate acquisition and retention across segregated schemes, umbrella funds, and the income drawdown solution.

    Key Responsibilities

    • Lead the development and execution of growth strategy for targeted institutional segments, including non-pension mandates and pension schemes.
    • Originate, structure, and close new non-pension institutional mandates to diversify and grow the segment, with primary focus on consolidators, trusts, endowments, NGOs, and private entities etc.
    • Provide support and oversight on pension mandate acquisition and retention, including segregated schemes, umbrella funds, and the income drawdown solution, working closely with the pension business lead.
    • Own and manage a robust pipeline of institutional prospects, ensuring disciplined follow-up, strong conversion ratios, and measurable AUM growth from the non-pension segment.
    • Lead preparation, presentation, and defence of tenders, RFPs, and proposals to trustees, governance committees, and executive stakeholders.
    • Provide market intelligence and client insights to influence product positioning and competitive pitch strategy.
    • Drive AUM growth in line with agreed strategic targets and report on pipeline, mandate wins, and revenue performance.
    • Build and maintain relationships with clients and other stakeholders.
    • Lead mandate review meetings and contract renewal discussions to secure long-term partnerships.
    • Identify cross-selling and upselling opportunities across the institutional portfolio.
    • Contribute to the preparation and maintenance of marketing materials for institutional solutions.
    • Represent the company in industry forums, trustee engagements, and institutional events to strengthen market presence.
    • Monitor competitor activity and market trends to inform strategy and pitch positioning.

    Required Qualifications

    • Strong sales, negotiation, and business development capability within the institutional or pension market.
    • Excellent communication, presentation, and proposal writing skills.
    • Strong relationship management and networking skills with the ability to engage trustees, board members, executives, investment committees, consultants, and institutional stakeholders.
    • Sound knowledge of institutional investment management, capital markets, and governance frameworks within trusts, endowments, NGOs, private entities, and pension schemes.
    • Strong analytical and problem-solving ability with attention to detail.
    • High integrity, drive, and results orientation.
    • Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Economics, or a related field from a recognised university.
    • Minimum 7 years' experience in institutional sales, corporate banking, investment banking, stockbroking, asset management, or pension fund management.
    • Demonstrable experience in business development or client relationship management within institutional or corporate segments.
    • Relevant professional qualification e.g. CISI, ICIFA, CFA or equivalent is an added advantage.

    Job Details

    Job Function

    Sales

    Minimum Experience

    7 years

    Education Level

    Bachelor’s Degree

    Area of Study

    Business

    Field of Study

    Business, Finance, Economics

    Languages

    English

    Additional Information

    How to Apply: Interested and qualified? Go to ICEA Lion Group on career55.sapsf.eu to apply.

    Winning Institutional Mandates: What Hiring Managers Probe

    This role sits at the sharp end of asset management growth, where trustees and investment committees buy on trust, track record, and clarity. Your CV and interview answers must show you can originate, structure, and close mandates that move AUM.

    1. Prove your pipeline discipline: In your CV, give a concrete example of a pipeline you built and converted, with numbers like deal size, conversion rate, or AUM growth. Hiring managers want to see you can manage a funnel, not just chase leads.

    2. Show you can handle RFPs and tenders: Be ready to walk through a tender you led from start to finish, including how you structured the proposal, coordinated inputs, and defended it before a committee. They are looking for someone who can think on their feet and present with authority.

    3. Demonstrate stakeholder gravitas: You will engage trustees, board members, and investment committees. Prepare a story that shows you can build trust with senior stakeholders, perhaps by explaining how you navigated a complex governance or approval process.

    4. Know the Kenyan institutional market: Brush up on the local landscape: pension schemes, trusts, NGOs, and private entities. Mention any specific segments you know well, and be ready to discuss current trends like the income drawdown solution or umbrella funds.

    5. Quantify your AUM impact: If you have grown assets under management, put a number on it. Even if it was a percentage, it shows you understand the commercial driver of this role.

    6. Prepare for case studies: Expect to be asked how you would approach a new mandate or turnaround a struggling relationship. Practice a structured answer that covers research, stakeholder mapping, and a tailored pitch.

    7. Highlight your professional edge: If you have CISI, ICIFA, CFA, or similar, make it prominent. If not, show how your experience compensates and your commitment to continuous learning.

    8. Show resilience and integrity: Institutional sales has long cycles and tough negotiations. Share an example where you stayed patient, kept the relationship warm, and eventually closed a deal. Integrity is non-negotiable in this sector, so let your track record speak.

    CareerSasa Safety Alert: Never pay employers or agencies for interviews, training, or job placement. Does a job request payment? Report it immediately using the "Flag" button. While CareerSasa vets job postings thoroughly, always verify opportunities independently.
    Share this job:

    Boost Your Application Success

    1. 1

      Expert CV help that gets you noticed. Build Your CV

    2. 2

      A personalized cover letter for this role. Write Cover Letter

    3. 3

      Attract recruiters with a stronger profile. Boost LinkedIn

    Tags

    institutional sales
    business development
    asset management
    pension
    RFPs