Manager Futures Clearing Ops at Absa Group Limited (Absa)

Job Summary

To plan, manage and monitor the implementation of operations related activities and processes in order to deliver on approved operational plans in an effective and efficient manner. Selecting this role has a compensation & benefit impact in Kenya. Please contact Reward for details.

Job Description

• Exciting opportunity exists for a manager to join our Global Markets team and be primarily responsible for all the operational aspects and partially involved in Change projects for the Futures Clearing Operations business.
• Responsible for the development of the operational functions as well as focus on growing people, building robust relationships, functional performance, processes and systems.

Key role accountability will include:

Operations Business Change 

• Provide direction and strategy for Futures Clearing Operations.
• Drive and implement adhoc projects to optimize settlement process or as a result of new products implemented by Front Office 
• Assist Executive Management with strategy and direction relating to the broader business in terms of operations. 
• Represent Futures Clearing Operations at Industry forums (JSE) and opine Absa’s view.
• Analyse the business requirements in support of the organisation's strategic initiatives and market initiatives

People Management

• Build, develop and motivate a high performing team committed to achieving success through each other. 

Customer and Business Partners Support

• Subject matter expert as to Futures Clearing practices/process/rules and thus key person to face-off to the internal areas such as Front office, Product Control, Absa Infrastructure areas (Compliance, Capital, Reg Reporting, Credit. Market Risk, Tax) as well as external Parties like Brokers and the JSE. 
• Build, maintain and promote a customer service culture within the operations functions 
• Undertake ad hoc special trouble shooting investigations as and when required. ie in response to major incidents. 

Operational Support

• Have a strong understanding of the prevailing issues and concerns of the business in terms of operational processes and procedures 
• Ensure daily recons are performed by staff in line with Group Policies and any discrepancies are addressed. 
• Ensure daily MIS to business areas are sent out by staff timeously and accurately.   
• Ensure that the SLA with front office and infrastructure teams is maintained to support the business needs 

Operational Risk and Control Assessment

• Assess and Review risk and controls within operations environment taking into account Absa Group Standards.
•  Identify and analyse operational risks, attributed to processes and systems, and ensure controls and contingencies are in place to mitigate risk.

This role is suited to a candidate with a B Degree with a minimum of 3-5 years of managerial experience in Futures Clearing operations function. Must be au fait with  JSE Rules and Directives.  

Sound understanding and working knowledge regarding internal control and operational risk management. Strong project management ability to take responsibility for JSE/ broker initiatives.

Operations Specialist

• Exciting opportunity exists for a manager to join our Global Markets team and be primarily responsible for all Change projects for the Equities, SBL, Futures Clearing, Prime Broking and Collateral businesses.
• Responsible for the growth, efficiency and automation of the business, as well as focus on building robust relationships,  processes and systems.

Key role accountability will include:

To provide support to the Internal & External Stakeholders in relation to the following:

• Demonstrate In-depth Market Operations knowledge & expertise across Equities, SBL, Collateral and Futures Clearing products and processes.
• “Go to” person as considered a Subject-Matter expert across Market Operations.
• Engage external Absa clients to discuss concerns and how best to accommodate their strategies.
• Keep abreast of emerging behaviours, technologies, regulations & companies that are changing our business.
• Take accountability and be visible to stakeholders on issue resolution, by providing proactive solutions.
• Investigation & resolution identification, of problems prior handing over to “IT change” teams.
• Assist in defining & driving the strategic direction of ACS & Prime Services
• Collaborate with ACS & Prime Services to define project objectives & set key performance metrics.  
• Project & Initiative tracking across all ACS , Prime Services and Collateral functions
• Identify new opportunities to enhance delivery, reduce risk & operating expenses while improving efficiency.

Ad hoc query resolution
SME

• Act as one of the key entry points into Operations for all Equities, SBL, Collateral and Futures Clearing queries.
• Support Equities, SBL, Collateral and Futures Clearing management in all senior meetings, providing Operational intellectual capital and support.
• Sought out in strategic meetings & projects to contribute at all levels.
• Staying abreast of best & new market practices & any regulation or other changes that will impact the business or clients service.
• Stakeholder & service provider engagement of business changes.
• Develop key proposals, communication and presentations.

Special Project Management

• Analyse, research & investigate a wide range of issues on behalf of Stakeholders. Articulate pragmatic solutions for hand over to the IT or BA change teams.
• Identify, incept & ensure delivery of Special Projects to improve process performance & control, gain economies & enable Equities, SBL, Collateral and Futures Clearing teams to focus on the day-job.
• Play a leading role in ensuring the successful delivery of change into Equities, SBL, Collateral and Futures Clearing Operations in conjunction with Project & Change teams. Involvement will be very "hands on",
• At times it will mean taking a coordinating role, ensuring that Equities, SBL, Collateral and Futures Clearing requirements are accurately captured, overseeing development and coordinating, planning and implementation.
• Co-ordinate change acceptance of ad-hoc initiatives and workload that originate from other areas, but which will impact Equities, SBL, Collateral and Futures Clearing
• Instrumental in any go live embedment and success.
• Continuously review and improve existing processes to ensure scalability and excellent service.

This role is suited to a candidate with a B Degree with a minimum of 3-5 years of managerial experience in Investment Banking experience. Must be au fait with  JSE Rules and Directives, custodian rules, Strate rules  

Sound understanding and working knowledge regarding internal control and operational risk management. Strong project management abilities.

Closing Date: 17th, April 2022