Associate: CPF at Absa Group Limited (Absa)

Job Summary

• CPF (SA Coverage) is looking for an Associate to support Senior Bankers in the Real Estate Sector.
• The role carries a dual mandate, encompassing both strategic client coverage and wholesale commercial property finance for wholesale clients in the unlisted real estate sector. Within the Firm, the SA Coverage Gauteng team holds primary responsibility for managing all CIB unlisted real estate client relationships.
• The Associate will assist in the execution of financing solutions, with exposure to traditional commercial property products such as development loans, investment loans, and working capital facilities. In addition, the role provides opportunities to support client needs across risk management, transactional banking, and capital markets solutions, including debt and equity capital markets.
• The position further involves supporting the team in originating, structuring, and executing loan transactions for unlisted real estate corporates and structured finance opportunities. This will require collaboration with key internal stakeholders—including portfolio management, credit, DocMan, PCG, and internal legal teams—to ensure smooth transaction delivery.
• The role is designed to provide strong learning and development opportunities, while contributing to the team’s ability to deliver seamless client coverage and execution.

Job Description

• Support the sourcing, securing, and maintenance of real estate opportunities in the Property Finance market, including assisting in presentations and product pitches to internal stakeholders and external clients.
• Contribute to the achievement of profit, growth, and return objectives by supporting senior bankers in sales activities and customer engagement.
• Assist in monitoring and identifying best-practice trends in the Commercial Property Finance (CPF) market, aligning with global industry developments.
• Support the management of a client portfolio by building and maintaining strong, long-term relationships.
• Engage with clients to understand their needs, resolve sales-related queries where possible, and escalate unresolved matters to senior team members or management.
• Assist in managing new applications by gathering required documentation and supporting the structuring of deal conditions.
• Contribute to the preparation of high-quality, comprehensive, and concise credit applications.
• Identify cross-selling opportunities and collaborate with specialists across Business Banking, Wealth, and other areas to broaden client solutions and enhance share of wallet.
• Work closely with senior bankers on portfolio retention, new business acquisition, and overall client coverage.
• Conduct research, maintain, and follow up on a target list of potential new business opportunities.
• Stay up to date on Commercial Property Finance products, market trends, and customer needs to support the delivery of tailored client solutions.
• Establish and maintain effective professional relationships with clients, internal stakeholders, and key Absa staff.
• Demonstrate initiative, sound judgment, and a willingness to take ownership of tasks under guidance from senior bankers.

Accountability: Deal Structuring

• Devise new loan structures that meet the client's needs taking into consideration sound financial feasibility and risk principles.
• Negotiate acceptance of new property finance opportunities

Accountability: Team Work / Supporting Senior Bankers

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with all Commercial Property Finance stakeholders.
• Communicate developments and updates effectively to relevant stakeholders in a clear and timely manner.
• Consistently deliver accurate, efficient, and timely support to ensure high service standards.
• Work closely with senior bankers to provide seamless support, contributing to a client-centric approach and enhanced client satisfaction.
• Actively learn, share knowledge, and collaborate within the team to drive collective growth and success.

Accountability: Deal Analysis

• Collect, interpret, and prepare financial information—including cash flow projections, property valuations, development costs, and sensitivity analysis—to support the preparation of comprehensive property finance applications.
• Perform detailed return calculations, demonstrating an understanding of the key variables and drivers that impact outcomes.
• Assist in drafting internal documents and reports for presentation to relevant stakeholders.
• Conduct and compile market research on industry trends, competitor activity, and emerging opportunities.
• Proactively track and analyze market developments to build and maintain a research database that enhances the team’s market knowledge and decision-making.

Accountability: Portfolio Management / Deal Execution

• Support the loan lifecycle from initial client engagement through to final disbursement, working closely with internal stakeholders including Building Project Management, Legal, Valuations, DocMan, and Middle Office.
• Proactively manage the receipt, review, and sign-off of conditions precedent to ensure timely disbursements.
• Assist in resolving client and internal queries promptly to maintain service excellence.
• Contribute to portfolio reviews by providing timely feedback and helping to prevent overdue reviews.
• Assist in market sizing analysis to support deal structuring and decision-making.
• Ensure adherence to the risk and control framework, maintaining a strong control environment.
• Comply with governance requirements and actively identify opportunities to reduce operational risk.
• Support problem-solving efforts and contribute to timely resolution of client complaints or issues.

Accountability: Risk management / Reporting

• Support senior bankers in managing high-risk customer accounts in collaboration with Credit, CPF Monitoring, and Control teams, ensuring adherence to standard operating procedures to minimise impairments.
• Ensure full compliance with legal, regulatory, and Business Banking policy requirements across all facilitated transactions.
• Monitor that all transactions comply with Absa’s risk and compliance frameworks, policies, and procedures, as well as applicable legal and regulatory standards.
• Assist with the preparation and management of key reports, including pipeline, ancillary income, RWA consumption, ESG, and business review reporting.

Education and Experience Required

• Bachelor Degree in Commerce, Accounting, Finance; Honours would be preferable
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in Banking;
• Preference for candidate that has experience in Commercial Property finance roles.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Understanding and working knowledge of financial statements;
• Working knowledge of the South African financial and property markets in particular property legislation, property financing and credit assessment
• Financial modelling
• Interest in Real Estate
• Working knowledge of property valuation principles and related criteria. Working knowledge of the conveyancing process. Computer Literacy:
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook.

Risk assessment, mitigation and management

• Report all areas of real or potential risk to the appropriate management representative.
• Ensure that all legal, regulatory and Business Banking policy processes and procedures are adhered to in all transactions facilitated.
• Ensure that transactions comply in all respects with Absa's risk and compliance policies and procedures as well as legal and regulatory requirements.

Education

• Bachelors Degree and Professional Qualifications: Business, Commerce and Management Studies (Required)

End Date: December 8, 2025