Leverage Management Specialist at Absa

Job Summary

• This role will report to the Head:Leverage Demand Management. This role will provide the support to ensure that the leverage demand of all the regulated entities across the Group is appropriate given the Group’s regulatory leverage position both current and over the forecast horizon of the Group. 
• The incumbent will be a part of the team that is responsible to report the leverage demand position to Executive Committee appointed forums. Key stakeholders include Group Risk, Corporate Development and Group Finance

Job Description

Leverage demand planning

• Play a leading role in producing a leverage demand plan for all business units within Absa Bank Group as well as for Absa Group Limited (AGL) as part of the Medium Term Plan (MTP) and for updating the plan throughout the year as required.
• Work closely with the integrated planning team, including risk, finance and strategy teams, to ensure that the plans are aligned to the bank’s strategic and financial plans.
• Provide the insights that validate the leverage demand plan to show that it allows for all known regulatory and other headwinds, so that it is an accurate and realistic representation of the forward looking leverage demand of the Group
• Propose early warning indicators and performance metrics in light of leverage demand plan and regulatory requirements for approval by Absa Group Treasury Committee and the Board.
• Work with risk and finance in order to conduct scenario analysis as part of the MTP process, and also more frequently during the year, as and when required.

Leverage demand reporting

• Provide the content to the leverage demand position report to enable the team to report to the Board as well as relevant committees as and when required,
• Ensure key committees remain appraised of key aspects which may affect the leverage demand position of the bank.
• Consistent tracking of leverage demand usage to at cluster level and that utilization remains within targets. Work with key stakeholders in clusters to address any over- and under utilisation.

Advisory and optimization of leverage demand

• Advise on the leverage implications of any potential transactions as well as new products
• Advise on the leverage impact of proposed regulatory developments.
• Participate in industry level discussions and debates regarding matters affecting bank leverage.
• Identify and assist business with leverage demand optimisation

Adhoc leverage demand projects

• Manage the project to ensure the effective completion of tasks.
• Encourage frequent knowledge sharing between team members.
• Assist in the creation of effective workforce and recruitment demand plans to ensure that current and future business requirements can be met.

Knowledge and skills

• Ability to build sound relationships with stakeholders and to appropriately respond to their needs
• Lateral-thinking ability
• Ability to absorb large volumes of information and identify the critical parts
• Understanding complexity and cross functional work
• Strong presentational skills and ability to present to senior management
• Strong knowledge of banking products and related financial issues
• Strong analytical ability to identify trends in performance data and use judgement to extrapolate these
• Strong commercial acumen, with a deep understanding of business drivers, and ability to apply this to influence business decision making and drive business performance
• Strong understanding of the economics behind yield curves, e.g. market expectations due to micro and macro financial information
• Detailed understanding of Basel capital adequacy directive
• Working knowledge of the Banks Act, Bank Regulations and Accounting standards

Competencies

• Self-starter without supervision
• Deciding and initiating action
• Learning and researching
• Entrepreneurial and commercial thinking
• Relating and networking
• Adapting and responding to change
• Persuading and influencing
• Creating and innovating
• Strategic

Education & experience required

• NQF Level 7: Honours/Masters Degree
• Bachelor of Commerce or Bachelor of Science (Honours)
• Chartered Accountant (CA) (SA) or Actuary (FASSA / FIA)
• 5 - 8 years treasury experience
• 5 - 8 years exposure to Bank Regulations, Risk Management and Financial Reporting.
• Any experience in Balance Sheet Management or Financial Resource Management is preferable

Education

Postgraduate Degrees and Professional Qualifications: Financial Sciences (Required)
Absa Bank Limited is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. In compliance with the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998, preference will be given to suitable candidates from designated groups whose appointments will contribute towards achievement of equitable demographic representation of our workforce profile and add to the diversity of the Bank.

Absa Bank Limited reserves the right not to make an appointment to the post as advertised