Executive: Head Forensics Investigation at Absa Group Limited (Absa)

Job Description

Strategic Leadership

• Define and execute a comprehensive, enterprise-wide forensics investigation strategy aligned to business priorities, regulatory requirements, and emerging risk landscapes.
• Shape and influence enterprise risk and financial crime strategies through forensic insights, driving proactive risk mitigation and value protection.
• Lead innovation in forensic methodologies, including the adoption of advanced analytics, AI, and intelligence-led approaches.

Operational Leadership

• Lead and direct a high-performing, multi-disciplinary forensic function across geographically dispersed operations.
• Oversee complex, high-impact investigations involving fraud, corruption, cybercrime, data breaches, financial misconduct, and insider threats.
• Ensure investigations meet the highest evidentiary, legal, and regulatory standards and support successful disciplinary, civil, and criminal outcomes.
• Direct prioritization and execution of investigations to optimize resource allocation and align to enterprise risk priorities.

Governance, Risk & Compliance

• Provide regular reporting and strategic insights to Executive Committees on forensic risks, trends, and significant investigations. 
• Define and maintain forensic investigation policies, standards, and frameworks in line with regulatory expectations and industry best practice. 
• Contribute to the organization’s risk appetite and control environment through forensic intelligence and thematic reviews.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and sustain strategic partnerships with law enforcement agencies (e.g., SAPS, NPA, DPCI/Hawks) and industry bodies such as SABRIC and COMRIC.
• Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders including Legal, Compliance, HR, Risk, Information Security, and Internal Audit.
• Represent the organisation in legal proceedings, regulatory engagements, and external forums, providing expert leadership and testimony where required.
• Oversee relationships with external forensic service providers and legal counsel to ensure excellence and alignment with organisational standards.

People Leadership & Capability Building

• Lead, inspire, and develop a high-performing, multidisciplinary forensic team.
• Build critical capabilities across investigations, intelligence, data analytics, and digital forensics.
• Foster a strong ethical culture and promote integrity across the organization.

Performance & Value Delivery

• Drive measurable reduction in financial crime losses and strengthen control environments through forensic insights.
• Enhance recovery outcomes and support successful prosecution of financial crimes.
• Improve operational efficiency through digitization, automation, and advanced forensic analytics.

Preferred Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Audit, Legal, Forensic Accounting, Compliance, or a related field.
• Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) or equivalent professional certification.
• Post-graduate qualification(s) in Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, or related disciplines (advantageous).

Preferred Experience

• 15+ years’ experience in forensic investigations, with a strong track record in complex fraud, financial crime, and misconduct matters.
• Extensive senior leadership experience, including leading large, multidisciplinary teams.
• Proven ability to engage and influence executive and board-level stakeholders.
• Deep expertise in risk, control, and governance within financial services or regulated environments.
• Advanced capability in delivering clear, evidence-based reports and executive-level insights.
• Practical experience applying data analytics, artificial intelligence, and digital tools in investigations.