Managing Executive - Small, Medium Enterprise at Absa Group Limited (Absa)

Job Description

Key Accountabilities

Segment Strategy, Growth and P&L Ownership

• Develop and execute a sector-led Enterprise and SME banking strategy, targeting micro, small, and medium businesses across WRF, tourism, manufacturing, transport, and agriculture.
• Drive market share growth and profitability while enhancing client value across enterprise and SME segments.
• Leverage data-driven insights, AI, and analytics to identify sector-specific growth opportunities and optimise client outcomes.
• Foster an entrepreneurial, client-centric culture, enabling teams to deliver innovative financial and non-financial solutions.

Customer Value Proposition and Ecosystem Development 

• Drive and influence value proposition design tailored to the diverse SME lifecycle (start-up, grow, scale) and sector specific. 
• Build strategic partnerships and ecosystems to strengthen SME access to finance, markets, and business support tools.

Customer Experience and Relationship Excellence

• Champion a customer-centric culture across all SME touchpoints (digital, banker-led and contact centre)
• Promote operational efficiency, digital onboarding, self-service platforms, and process optimisation to support scalable enterprise operations.
• Measure and continuously improve NPA, engagement and retention metrics. 

Risk, Governance & Portfolio Quality 

• Set performance goals and metrics that measure impact on revenue, client base, product adoption, and market share
• Ensure strong risk discipline across credit, operational, conduct, and reputational risks
• Partner with credit and risk executive to maintain a healthy, diversified portfolio aligned to risk appetite. 
• Drive proactive credit management, early warning systems, and turnaround strategies to protect portfolio health
• Ensure full alignment with group architecture, compliance frameworks, and business continuity standards.

Leadership, People & Execution Excellence

• Lead a high-performing, multidisciplinary team covering sales, relationship management, product, and enablement
• Foster collaboration across digital, product, and operations teams to deliver integrated solutions for SMEs.
• See clear performance targets, drive accountability, and build future leadership capability within the segment. 

Key Requirements

• Extensive experience (15 – 20 years) in Banking/Financial Services, with proven exposure to micro, small and medium enterprises across multiple sectors.
• Sector expertise in: WRF, tourism, manufacturing, transport, and agriculture.
• Proven track record in driving strategic growth, operational excellence, and value creation in enterprise or SME banking.
• Digital dexterity, with experience leveraging AI, data analytics, and digital banking tools to improve client outcomes and operational efficiency.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to inspire high-performing teams, influence stakeholders, and execute strategic objectives across markets.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a history of delivering client-centric, sector-focused solutions.
• Solid understanding of financial products and services for enterprise and SME clients, including lending, trade finance, cash management, and advisory services.
• Relevant tertiary qualification (NQF 8) in Finance, Banking, Business Management, or related fields.
• Demonstrated ability to drive operational improvements, process optimisation, and digital transformation within a banking environment.

Skills & Competencies

• Strategic Thinking & Execution
• Leadership & People Development
• Sector Expertise & Entrepreneurial Mindset
• Digital Dexterity (AI, Data & Analytics)
• Customer-Centric Innovation
• Operational Excellence & Process Optimisation
• Analytical & Data-Driven Decision Making
• Ethical Leadership & Integrity

Why Join Us?

• This is a unique opportunity to lead a high-impact SME banking business across multiple markets. You will play a central role in achieving sector leadership, shaping the entrepreneurial landscape, driving measurable growth, and delivering exceptional value to clients and the bank. In this role, you will champion innovation, operational excellence, and sector-focused solutions, empowering SMEs and enterprises to become the sector leader and transform the economy.

Education

• Postgraduate Degrees and Professional Qualifications: Banking, Postgraduate Degrees and Professional Qualifications: Business, Commerce and Management Studies, Postgraduate Degrees and Professional Qualifications: Business Management

End Date: December 11, 2025