Head Distribution Index Solutions at Absa Group Limited (Absa)

Job Summary

• The Head of Distribution: Index Solutions will manage distribution for the Index Solutions business. This will include distribution responsibility for ETF’s, Retail Structured Products, Index and Fund Linked Solutions.

The candidate will be required to:

• Contribute to the implementation of the overarching business strategy for the Index Solutions business.
• Define and manage the distribution strategy for individual product lines.
• Interlock with the product & trading teams (where appropriate) to ensure product development, pricing and delivery meets client expectations.
• Interlock with technology and product teams to ensure platform capability and development meets distribution expectations.
• Ensure delivery of budget for individual product lines.
• Manage distribution teams within product lines to deliver on growth & revenue expectation.
• Provide input into Structured Solutions Management team.

Education and Experience Required

• Relevant Tertiary qualification e.g. CA (SA), BCom, CFP or progress towards one would be advantageous
• Minimum of 10-year structured solutioning and/or trading experience
• Deep understanding and experience in a sales environment with retail and institutional brokers
• Minimum of 5-year relationship management experience
• Minimum of 10 years working for Top tier bank and/or Asset Manager
• Must have proven track record in design and launch and distribution of strategic cross asset product and/or indices

Job Description

Key Accountabilities

Client Focus:

• Working across products/capabilities with variety of internal distributors to support efforts with external brokers and applicable institutional clients to grow investment business.
• Effectively meeting client (internal and external) needs; building inspiring relationships; and taking responsibility for client experience.
• Establish a close working relationship with other value chain components and key stakeholders to ensure a holistic, integrated approach to the client.
• Monitor the degree of positive impact that the sales strategy is having on the customer and identify and provide feedback into the system in terms of key improvements and interventions required.
• Strive to help business unit exceed budgets in responsible, compliant, client focused manner.

Product Strategy and Planning (in conjunction with trading and structuring where appropriate):

• Own and develop strategic initiatives and build out cross-asset strategy index and solutions business with the indexation and sales teams’ inputs.
• Own and develop systematic investment strategy initiatives and build out cross asset strategy index and solutions business with the indexation and sales team’s inputs.
• Continuously evaluate the external environment and assess the impact on the area's activities. Where required, discuss any changes which will result in an overall strategic impact with the accountable heads, thereafter, make the agreed amendments to plans.
• Lead and be a key input into the decisions with regards to the bank’s product development and distribution vision and engage with other accountable heads to create synergies and leverage off other distribution channels with the aim of increasing the contribution made by Multi Asset Structured Solutions structuring to the firm.
• Make sure that the processes and documentation related to the products are in place (through the Product Development area) and this includes product manuals, product collateral, product training mechanisms and launch toolkits.
• Conduct a post implementation review in respect of product performance and general progress of all launched products through the new product approval process. This entails assessment of sales performance of the product within a given period (e.g. 6 months).
• Review and modify existing product performance to maximize profitability and meet customers’ needs.
• Understand and interpret products based on robust analysis and alignment with the respective portfolio strategy i.e. financial models, customer survey findings and overall product strategy. This insight will help to make informed decisions as to the future direction/strategy of the relevant product portfolio. Assume responsibility for performance monitoring and proactive management of the products by understanding the key performance drivers including behavioural trends, financial indicators and growth/performance metrics.
• Review the product offering and profitability on an ongoing basis to determine its penetration to the market, validate budget and make recommendations to expand, maintain or discontinue a given feature.
• Undertake regular competitor and non-competitor analysis in terms of product strategy, practices, and proactively initiate product reviews based on trends identified to ensure ongoing product competitiveness.

Research:

• Investigate and embark on a continuous market scanning of Local and International peers to identify and stay abreast of market trends and activities to inform opportunities for new or enhanced products and services.
• Initiate market research relating to the product alignment to client needs, competitors and future trends to ensure sustained profitability for Absa and competitive advantage. Engage in networking activities, e.g. attending relevant industry conferences, staying abreast of changes in the industry, product offering and procedures to absorb the impact of change.
• Formulate and influence product strategies based on research findings, i.e. investigate other appropriate distribution strategies which could form part of the distribution strategy, e.g. Internet.

Stakeholder engagement:

• Proactively develop relationships with key external stakeholders including local regulators relevant to the business, key suppliers and external regulatory bodies to ensure Absa gets appropriate co-operation when required and that the Group meets and is seen to meet regulatory compliance.
• Build and develop relationships across the firm with various stakeholders with the intention of breaking down silos to maximize business growth.
• Liaise with all business partners to ensure all management information they require is provided to them timeously.

Leadership:

• Work with juniors in the team to achieve excellent business results through continuous people development and mentoring activities.
• Ensure the development of a high-performing team through embedding formal Performance Development and informal coaching.
• Coach the Trading team on how to conduct meaningful Performance Development discussions with their direct reports and ensure that they conduct the process effectively.
• Determine and analyses training and development needs for Traders and ensure they do the same for their teams. Ensure that identified training is budgeted for and executed.
• Establish and maintain a succession plan for the Trading team in the area using the formal Talent Management process for identified talent and an informal process for remaining roles.
• With the support from the HR Business Partner, interview and recruit direct reports and provide support to them during the recruitment of their teams on request.
• Approve leave requests for direct reports and ensure that they manage the leave planning for their teams effectively.
• Act as second level escalation point for all grievances raised in the business unit.
• Ensure that all poor performance is addressed through the Absa Performance
• Accelerator (APA) Programme and that continued poor performance is adequately dealt with. Review APA reports to determine effectiveness of interventions.
• Motivate employees in the department and ensure that their efforts are recognised.
• Develop appropriate Employee Opinion Survey (EOS) action items together with the management team of the business unit and ensure that items are executed.

Education

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

End Date: October 10, 2025