Credit Risk Manager: Collections Strategy & Debt Review at Absa Group Limited (Absa)

Job Summary

• To lead the portfolio management of the debt review portfolio for Absa and lead the industry representation on matters relating to debt review focusing on providing expert advice and drive best practices in the formulation and execution of debt review and collection strategies. This role requires deep understanding of risk management principles, portfolio analysis, and regulatory compliance, with a strong focus on optimizing returns and safeguarding the health of the debt review portfolio.

Job Description

Risk Management:

• Identify, analyze, and mitigate risks associated with the debt portfolio.
• Develop and implement risk management strategies to protect the portfolio from adverse market conditions.
• Stay updated on regulatory changes and industry best practices related to debt management.

Debt Review:

• Perform detailed analysis of individual debt cases to assess financial health and risk.
• Work with borrowers to review and restructure debt terms as necessary.
• Ensure timely and accurate documentation of all debt review activities and decisions.

Portfolio Management:

• Manage a portfolio of debt-related assets, including loans, bonds, and other fixed-income securities.
• Monitor the performance of the portfolio and implement strategies to optimize returns and mitigate risks.
• Conduct regular reviews and assessments of the portfolio to ensure compliance with financial regulations and company policies.

Reporting and Analysis:

• Prepare and present regular reports on portfolio performance, risk assessments, and market trends.
• Conduct financial analysis to support decision-making and strategy development.
• Use financial models and tools to forecast portfolio performance and evaluate potential investments.

Stakeholder and Relationship Management

• Coordinate and communicate collections activities with the respective BUs, Risk and Operations teams.
• Drive close collaboration with the Operations teams and instill a co-operative and conducive working relationship.
• Secure support from Collections and Recoveries Operations, Risk Teams, MI, Business teams, Finance, Product, Payments, Technology and HR to deliver collections programs.
• Participate in the BU Exco / Manco meetings to ensure adequate communication and understanding of senior managers in the BU around the analytics-based methodology used by Risk and decision-making, and the benefits thereof.
• Support the BUs to deliver impairment targets and Loan Loss Rates aligned with the forecasting by providing proactive analysis and guidance on how to manage credit risk within acceptable levels.
• Establish credit risk modelling and measurement procedures and systems.
• Review and report strategy performance and trends to the Retail Banking, Portfolio Quality Review Meeting, Retail Credit Risk Committee, Group Risk teams, and Product Teams.

People and Culture

• Builds and sustains a culture that aligns to Retail Banking and Risk’s aspirational colleague experience to deliver the target customer experience and financial performance.
• Ensure delivery of business goals by aligning Performance Development (PD) Plans of direct reports to the business goals.
• Instill a performance development culture through directing the PD process and adhering to the PD calendar.
• Pro‐actively identify development areas of direct reports and compile development plans to address them.
• Attract and retain talent, with the assistance from the HR Business Partner.
• Interview and recruit new members of the team, including determining appropriate compensation levels with input from HR.
• Identify team capabilities and develop a succession plan, with the assistance from the HR Business Partner.
• Effectively lead team members and ensure their efforts are recognized.
• Ensure execution of plans seeking to address employee related issues ‐ e.g. Colleague Engagement Survey (CES) action plans.

Control 

• Accountable for ensuring an optimal and complaint control environment within the product that appropriately balances collections activities and customer experience with the need to grow to achieve the financial ambitions and balance sheet.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Legal, Finance, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field 
• Proven experience in debt portfolio management, financial analysis, or a related field.
• Strong understanding of debt markets, financial instruments, and risk management principles.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Proficiency in financial modeling and use of financial management software.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders.

Education

• Bachelor`s Degrees and Advanced Diplomas: Business, Commerce and Management Studies (Required)