Head of German SME Lending (m/f/d)

Position Overview

Employer:             DWS Group

Title:                      Head of German SME Lending (m/f/d)

Location:               Frankfurt

Job Code:              #LI-MB1 #LI-04

About DWS:

DWS Group (DWS) is a leading asset manager with over EUR 1 trillion in AUM.  Building on more than 60 years of experience, it has a reputation for excellence in Germany, EMEA, the Americas, and Asia. DWS is recognized by clients globally as a trusted source for integrated investment solutions, stability and innovation across a full spectrum of investment disciplines. Our diverse expertise in Active, Passive and Alternatives asset management complement each other when creating targeted solutions for our clients.

Today, markets face a whole new set of pressures – but also a whole lot of opportunity. Opportunity to innovate differently. Opportunity to invest responsibly. And opportunity to make change.

Join us at DWS, and you can be part of an industry-leading firm with a global presence. You can lead ambitious opportunities and shape the future of investing. You can support our clients, local communities, and the environment.

We’re looking for creative thinkers and innovators to join us as the world continues to transform. As whole markets change, one thing remains clear; our people always work together to capture the opportunities of tomorrow. That’s why we are ‘Investors for a new now’.

As investors on behalf of our clients, it is our role to find investment solutions. Ensuring the best possible foundation for our clients’ financial future. And in return, we’ll give you the support and platform to develop new skills, make an impact and work alongside some of the industry’s greatest thought leaders. This is your chance to achieve your goals and lead an extraordinary career.

Team / division overview:

The DWS Alternatives business is a diversified set of business activities with approximately EUR 130bn in assets under management in strategies including Private Real Estate, Private Infrastructure, Private Credit, Liquid Real Assets (Real Estate/Infrastructure and Commodity Securities) and Sustainable Investments.  The global team invests on behalf of a global client base that includes governments, corporations, institutional investors, as well as a growing UNHW investor group.

Private Credit is a key growth pillar of the EUR 115bn DWS Alternatives franchise.  The Private Credit platform aims to build diversified portfolios across direct lending, leveraged loans, capital solutions, asset-based finance and structured credit that deliver attractive risk-adjusted returns with a focus on capital preservation to a broad spectrum of investors including governments, corporations, insurance companies and private clients.

As part of the Private Credit Strategy you will be at the heart of a strategic initiative in Germany/Europe, leveraging your expertise in credit risk, portfolio management and investment process automation to build the leading private debt provider in Germany.

Role Details:

As the Head of German SME Lending for Private Credit, you will:

• Work with partners across Deutsche Bank and within DWS, including Product and Corporate Functions to design and manufacture products that meet the demands of clients across multiple channels.

• Build and lead a high-performing team to drive the strategic development of DWS’s digital lending offering, including product design, risk governance, integration of service providers and operational execution in a highly regulated environment.

• Play a pivotal role in DWS’s contribution to the strategic transformation of the German economy by developing and scaling the capabilities and efficiency for SME focused digital lending.

• Function as key interface between the corporate lending investment teams, operations, risk and technology to design streamlined AI-enhanced investment processes as a competitive differentiator.

• Leading the design and implementation of AI powered processes to assess the credit worthiness of potential borrowers in close collaboration with the private credit investment teams taking into account the varying requirements depending on loan type, underlying and collateral.

• Enhancement of due diligence processes on potential borrowers including the review of legal documentation, contracts and other relevant information impacting credit decisions with the special focus on SME companies.

• Automating the drafting of credit memoranda and other documentation for Investment Committees, that provide accurate and concise rating analysis and investment recommendations.

• Enhancing collateral monitoring and management processes.

• Representing the platform in public and internal senior stakeholder forums, regulatory discussions and investor events.

• Contributing to the overall deployment of AI and automation in strategic initiatives across DWS.

• Reporting on key topics to Senior Management, while maintaining excellent working relationships with internal and external stakeholders relevant to the Private Credit business.

• Ensuring regulatory compliance by staying updated on relevant regulations and ensuring compliance with internal and external guidelines applicable to lending processes.

We are looking for:

• Proven experience and leadership in Private Credit, with a focus on corporate lending gained on senior executive level at a credit fund, commercial or investment bank or lending platform.

• Extensive experience in credit risk management, structured finance and capital markets.

• Track record of building and scaling lending platforms, including securitization and fund structures.

• Published thought leadership with deep expertise in credit risk, AI applications in finance, and operational transformation.

• Experience of working collaboratively across different business units of a global financial institutions to execute against agreed targets and ensure that solutions are best suited to product across multiple channels.

• Proven experience of building and managing a team; defining appropriate team structures to ensure that performance and risk monitoring are in place and that accountability and lines of authority are clearly defined.

• Strong academic background. Educated to PhD level in a Finance related discipline from an accredited college or university (or equivalent) or an acceptable level of industry experience

• Fluent in German and English (written and spoken) is essential.

• Extensive experience of investment and sourcing channels to deliver growth against a multi-strategy Private Credit business with a particular focus on SME corporate lending

• Contributing to the production of materials for RFP and marketing/fundraising activities  

• Experience of effectively managing risk controls within an investment environment, with sound experience around the fiduciary duty of care and diligence.

What we’ll offer you:

Without the ambitions of our people, our achievements wouldn’t be possible. And it’s important to us that you enjoy coming to work - feeling healthy, happy and rewarded. At DWS, you’ll have access to a range of benefits which you can choose from to create a personalised plan unique to your lifestyle. Whether you’re interested in healthcare, company perks or are thinking about your retirement plan, there’s something for everyone.

Some of our core benefits:

• Physical and Mental Health Well-Being benefits including (but not limited to) Statutory Health Insurance (BKK), sickness benefit allowance and support helplines for employees

• Family friendly benefits including generous parental leave packages (supporting all variations of family set-ups) and support in finding childcare options including DWS’s own kindergarten service

• A wide selection of pension plans, Personal Budget Accounts to enable sabbaticals or early retirement and capital-forming benefits

• The opportunity to support our CSR strategy which is focused on combatting climate change & achieving greater social justice. You can make donations to our partnered organisations or take part in corporate volunteering opportunities in your local communities by providing on hand support.

• Mobility services, such as a subsidized Germany ticket and offers for company cars and JobRad.

DWS’ current Hybrid Working model is designed to find the balance between in-person collaboration & engagement in the office, which is core to our working culture, whilst still remaining focused on supporting our employees with flexibility. We are committed to support flexible and hybrid working agreements across the globe. Depending on the location or role you are applying for, the split between working in the office and at home will be discussed and made clear as part of your application and interview process.

We will continue to review and evolve our working environments and methods to ensure that we are working in the best way possible for our people.

If you require any adjustments or changes to be made to the interview process for any reason including, or related to a disability or long-term health condition, then please contact your recruiter and let us know what assistance you may need. Examples of adjustments include providing a change to the format of the interview or providing assistance when at the DWS office. This will not affect your application and your recruitment team will discuss options with you. 

Wir streben eine Unternehmenskultur an, in der wir gemeinsam jeden Tag das Beste geben. Dazu gehören verantwortungsvolles Handeln, wirtschaftliches Denken, Initiative ergreifen und zielgerichtete Zusammenarbeit.
Gemeinsam teilen und feiern wir die Erfolge unserer Mitarbeiter*innen. Gemeinsam sind wir die Deutsche Bank Gruppe.

Wir begrüßen Bewerbungen von allen Menschen und fördern ein positives, faires und integratives Arbeitsumfeld.