Head Credit: Business Support at Absa South Africa

Job Summary

• The purpose of the role as Head of Business Support Relationship Banking will include the Leadership, management and control of distressed debt exposures for Relationship Banking clients and provide business support to Commercial, SME, Private Bank & Wealth, Commercial Asset Finance and Agriculture sector businesses. The incumbent will lead, drive the performance and manage the overall Business Support strategy for Relationship Banking. The role will actively manage the Business Support team charged with delivering turnaround and managed exit strategies to manage credit risk and customer relationships (i.e. structuring, restructuring, sanctioning, monitoring and control). The Portfolio consists of general corporate, Listed, Project Finance and structured finance customers within the Relationship Banking cluster. These will be geographically spread, high exposure and often highly complex customers experiencing financial stress as defined.  The incumbent will lead the risk management of the portfolio through sanctioning and oversight for the monitoring and control functions of the team ensuring related regulatory compliance is delivered. The overall responsibility to ensure that the portfolios under the management of Business Support are adequately impaired. Lead the delivery of highest quality customer service, proactive internal stakeholder engagement and feedback consistent with a Business/Risk partnership model. Take responsibility for Business Support’s strategic development and direction.

Job Description

Credit Risk Management 

• Ensure highest standards of credit quality for portfolio through sanctioning, case sampling and application of risk best practice and maintenance of these standards throughout the team.
• Implementation of credit policy, processes and procedures always ensuring compliance. Contribute to business and credit policy development. 
• Management of risk to maintain an appropriate level of impairment, classification of WL cases and appropriate credit rating of each asset. Ensure provisions are forecast and raised in a timely manner and at an appropriate level across the portfolio. 
• Evaluation and approval/decline of credit proposals which lie outside the discretion of individuals within the team. 
• Have capacity to occasionally lead complex negotiations with high value / profile cases acting where strategies may conflict with customer’s aims e.g. insolvency 
• Supporting the Business Support Specialists as required with high profile/confrontational or complex cases and where appropriate engage directly as part of performance development process
• Aid and provide coaching to team members in formulating strategies for more complicated cases. 

Business Management 

• Manage workflow to world class standards of quality and cost driving efficiencies and effectiveness across the team. 
• Proactively engage with and manage internal and external stakeholders, using high quality negotiating and influencing skills. 
• Develop a strong internal network and with external professionals to maximise benefits, promote Business Support and develop strategies and solutions. 
• Responsible for the adherence to governance, compliance and lending portfolio controls, ensuring own conformance to policy and procedures, including proactive management of agreed responsibilities for data integrity. 
• Work collaboratively with other business areas to ensure efficiency and sharing of knowledge across the wholesale distressed-debt portfolio. 
• Continuously improve the response to changing needs in the marketplace by having regular dialogue with lenders, professional’s regulators, lawyers and accountants.

Change Leadership 

• As a member of the Credit Risk senior management team take responsibility for elements of the AGL strategic development and direction to meet organisational objectives.
• Proactively embed agreed change initiatives, e.g. in support of process and quality improvements, cost reductions and development of people. 
• Continuously improve the response to changing needs in the market by having regular dialogue with lenders, venture capitalists, regulators, lawyers and accountants

Team Leadership 

• Lead and develop a highly motivated team, maintaining excellent relationships within own team and wider Relationship Banking team to ensure achievement of business objectives. 
• Provide strategic direction to the team; inspire and drive high performance in individuals and in the team using appropriate management information tools set challenging and stretching objectives.
• Drive proactive application of Absa values and behaviours throughout the team including establishment of common goals and objectives.
• Lead by example across the Risk community ensuring a collaborative approach to the Business/Risk Partnership. Maintain interactive relationship/dialogue with Coverage at Team Leader level. 
• Lead excellence in performance management processes. Identify skill gaps, training and development needs of the team and support delivery of appropriate development plans to meet training needs and develop through effective feedback and coaching. 
• Responsible for team delivery to meet the organisational objectives.
• Responsible for talent recruitment, development, retention and succession planning strategies.
• Manage resources in the most cost-effective manner to deliver across the business.

Education

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