Head of Payments and Card Operations at Absa Group Limited (Absa)

Job Summary

• We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Head of Payment and Card Operations responsible for payments operations and reconciliations. This includes oversight of local and ARO payment flows (such as EFT, DebiCheck, SWIFT, Mastercard & VISA debit card activities, treasury operations, and the management of exceptions, disputes, and investigations.
• This is a senior leadership role requiring strategic vision, operational excellence, and a deep understanding of both South African and ARO payment ecosystems.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and scale the payment operations team, setting clear objectives, KPIs, and performance metrics aligned with global standards.
• Ensure daily reconciliation of inbound and outbound payments against source systems and South African bank statements.
• Drive operational excellence through automation, process optimization, and implementation of best-in-class back-office strategies.
• Develop and maintain a fit-for-purpose operational framework with documented policies, procedures, controls, and KPIs.
• Lead investigations and resolutions for payment and card-related issues, chargebacks, and exceptions.
• Collaborate with Compliance, Risk, and Audit teams to ensure adherence to SARB, FSCA, and global regulatory requirements.
• Support the implementation of new technologies and payment innovations, including real-time payments and digital wallets.
• Coach and mentor team members to build a resilient, high-performing operations unit.

Required Skills & Experience

• 9+ years in financial operations, with at least 8 years in a senior leadership role within a bank or regulated FinTech (preferably with exposure to both South African and ARO markets).
• Deep understanding of South African payment systems and international schemes.
• Expertise in SWIFT messaging (MT103, MT101, MT202) and cross-border payments.
• Experience with Straight Through Processing (STP) and reconciliation between payment systems and bank statements.
• Strong knowledge of treasury operations, including FX, MM, and liquidity management.
• Familiarity with regulatory frameworks such as SARB, FSCA
• Excellent analytical, leadership, and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Relevant tertiary qualification in Finance, Economics, or Business Administration; 

Education

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