Managing Executive: People Operations & Digital Technology - Johannesburg at Absa Group Limited (Absa)

Job Summary

• The purpose of this role is to provide strategic focus to scaling the group People Operations and Digital capability, start-up and scale key talent hubs / strategic centres of excellence and business models locally & globally. Leading initiatives in areas such as business intelligence reporting, BBEEE reporting, talent data and analytics, talent mobility platforms, resourcing solutions, payroll and compensation enablement, business intelligence and People operations, to ensure the bank's People function runs efficiently and effectively.
• Ensuring that Absa Group is disproportionately advantaged in securing and retaining top talent across People Operations and Digital Enablement. We want to be the home of leading talent, top in attractiveness and retention in our chosen markets and we believe access to talent is our source of competitive advantage across all our businesses in the African continent.
• The ME is required to deliver the above, by developing and implementing the People Operations and Digital Enablement strategy, in partnership with their team, the People Exco, ITO and other relevant stakeholders to achieve ambitious targets and performance metrics. Responsible for developing and maintaining internal and external partnerships, leading on tracking/reporting outcomes, securing and managing the People Operations and technology budget, working as part of the People Exco team in partnership with the Group CPO and Group CIO.

The role reports to the Group CPO with a matrix reporting to the CIO.

Job Description

Key Accountabilities:

People Shared Services and Payroll:

• Oversee the efficient and effective delivery of HR shared services to support the organisation and enhance the employee experience.
• Manage end-to-end payroll processes to ensure accurate and timely payment of employee salaries and benefits.

People Technology:

• Lead the development, implementation, and maintenance of people technology systems and platforms to enable efficient HR operations.

People Data, Analytics and Reporting:

• Utilise data analytics to generate insights and reports on people-related metrics, enabling data-driven decision-making and strategic workforce planning.

Talent Hubs:

• In partnership with Technology, set up and scale talent hubs (CIO and CPO). The Hubs will contribute to driving economic growth in by partnering and growing technology and innovation skills and expertise.
• Engage and partner with key global players to understand the People Operations Function and of the hubs, the business models, commercials and end to end business model setup
• Determine business case for these models
• Understand the costs models and funding plans for economies and value creation, and bid for seed capital to startup and scale
• Build strong alliances and relationship/networks with global tech providers, best in class leaders in incubator concepts and thought leaders in the tech field

People Process Digital Enablement:

• Develop the People digital transformation strategy and drive implementation to streamline and enable People processes, enhance operational efficiency and enable employee self-service.

Programme Management:

• Manage and oversee the execution of strategic HR programs and initiatives in partnership with the People Exco, ensuring efficient and successful delivery within scope, budget, and timeline.

Vendor Management:

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with HR vendors and service providers, ensuring effective partnerships and optimal service delivery.

People Data Privacy and Security:

• Ensure compliance with data privacy regulations and implement robust security measures to safeguard People data and protect employee confidentiality.

AI and Automation:

• Explore and leverage AI and automation technologies to enhance HR processes, improve service delivery, and drive innovation in people operations.
• Risk management and governance
• Operational risk management and governance

Minimum requirements:

Education:

• Post Graduate Degree: Honours Degree, Post Graduate Diploma and Professional Qualifications [NQF8].

Preferred Experience:

• 15 + years of experience in the Financial Services sector, including a track record of 7 years in more than one position at the executive management level in a large enterprise.
• Extensive experience in contributing to and implementing long-term strategies, collaborating and promoting integration across value chains, dealing with external stakeholders, driving customer centricity, and leading a senior team is essential.
• Exposure to working across industries, driving change, an integrated talent approach, promoting digitization and data-driven decision-making is preferred.
• Minimum 15 years’ experience in a Human Capital operations environment, including overseeing technology. 
• Proven experience in leading and managing senior teams as a trusted and respected senior leader, with the ability to manage complexity across multiple areas
• 5 years’ experience in chairing Committees
• Exposure to business operations management – 3 years

Knowledge and Skills:

• Knowledge of operational risk and governance frameworks and how they impact overall business efficiency
• Understanding of business processes and how to leverage efficiencies
• Deep awareness of the regulatory environment as it impacts the people environment
• Knowledge of customer service levers to deliver superior client experience
• Integrity, confidentiality in handling people data and information.
• Dependable Absa culture champion and enterprise leadership.
• Translation and implementation of strategy
• Leader in challenging situations, connecting the nuances of the different functional areas within the function ability to add leadership oversight value
• Exposure to an Operations environment
• Ability to connect with people at various levels, partnering and collaboration with multiple stakeholders, to enable and enforce required systems, processes and practices.

Key Relationships:

• CPO and People Function Exco
• CIO and Tech Exco
• Business clusters and group functions
• External tech leading organizations
• Government and consulting entities
• Business and educational institutions
• People / Finance Functions
• Brand, Marketing and Stakeholder Relations (and Comms)
• Legal & Risk

Education

• Postgraduate Degrees and Professional Qualifications: Business, Commerce and Management Studies (Required)