Heidrick & Struggles Seeks Managing Director for Tanzania Operations

Heidrick & Struggles has been appointed by a prominent Regional Financial Services Group to assist in the appointment of a Managing Director for its Tanzania operations. The Managing Director will play a crucial role in defining and executing a sustainable strategy that drives profitable growth, digital transformation, and market relevance. The Group's shares are listed on the Nairobi and other regional Securities Exchanges.

The Managing Director will be responsible for setting and communicating a compelling strategic vision for the Bank, translating Group ambition and Board direction into measurable priorities and execution plans. This will involve leading enterprise-wide transformation across business models, digital channels, data, technology, processes, and ways of working. The ideal candidate will have a proven record of delivering enterprise transformation, profitable growth, and organisational change in a regulated environment.

To qualify for the position, candidates must have a Bachelor's degree in a business-related field, with ACIB or CPA professional qualifications and a Master's degree in Business Administration or a related field being added advantages. A minimum of 15 years' experience in banking or financial services is required, including substantial executive leadership responsibility. The candidate should also have a deep understanding of banking, financial services, regulation, and the Tanzanian and East African operating environment.

The Managing Director will be expected to deliver sustainable, profitable growth by strengthening core businesses, expanding priority customer segments, improving productivity, and allocating capital effectively. This will involve embedding a customer-led culture and providing trusted, inclusive, and consistently exceptional experiences across physical and digital channels. The candidate should have strong digital, data, and technology fluency, commercial acumen, financial stewardship, and cross-cultural people leadership.

The successful candidate will be required to build an innovation portfolio that responds to evolving Tanzanian market needs through new products, ecosystems, partnerships, and platform-enabled propositions. They will also need to develop a high-performing, diverse, and accountable leadership team, strengthening succession, critical capabilities, and organisational culture. Maintaining a resilient control environment by integrating risk, compliance, cyber security, business continuity, and conduct into strategy and delivery will also be a key responsibility.

The Managing Director will be expected to champion ethical leadership, sound corporate governance, and responsible banking, while anticipating economic, regulatory, competitive, and technology shifts. They will need to build trusted relationships with the Bank, the Board, the Group, government, investors, customers, employees, and strategic partners. The position requires a Board-level presence and outstanding stakeholder leadership, communication, influence, and negotiation skills, grounded in integrity and sound judgement.

Confidential applications, giving full career particulars and contact details, should be emailed to [email protected] by 14 November 2026. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The Regional Financial Services Group is seeking a highly qualified and experienced professional to lead its Tanzania operations and drive growth and transformation in the region.

Key points

• The Managing Director will be responsible for driving profitable growth, digital transformation, and market relevance in Tanzania.
• The ideal candidate will have a proven record of delivering enterprise transformation, profitable growth, and organisational change in a regulated environment.
• The position requires a deep understanding of banking, financial services, regulation, and the Tanzanian and East African operating environment.