Mergers & Acquisitions Integration Lead – Inorganic Growth Execution - Sandton at Absa Group Limited (Absa)

Job Summary

• We are looking for a VP-level M&A Integration Lead who can build and lead a central inorganic execution capability.
• The candidate must be able to translate deal strategy into executable plans, mobilise cross-functional teams, manage Day 1 readiness, control risks and dependencies, and build repeatable internal capability for future transactions. This is a senior execution and capability-building role, not a generic project management position.

Job Description

The candidate should demonstrate strong capability in:

Key Skills:

Senior stakeholder management and executive communication

• Ability to engage, influence and align senior stakeholders across Corporate Development, Legal, Finance, Risk, Compliance, Technology, Operations, Human Capital, Business and Country teams.
• Ability to simplify complex transaction, integration and execution matters into clear executive-level messages, decision points and escalation items.
• Strong ability to influence without direct authority and drive alignment across multiple senior functional owners.

M&A integration and execution planning

• Experience supporting integration planning from early deal assessment through mobilisation, Day 1 readiness, cutover and post-close stabilisation.
• Ability to translate deal objectives, SPA obligations, Conditions Precedent, regulatory dependencies and business outcomes into a practical execution plan.
• Ability to coordinate integration across people, process, data, systems, customer, operational, legal, regulatory and value workstreams.
• Strong understanding of Day 1 readiness, transitional services, cutover planning, stabilisation and handover to BAU.

Programme and governance leadership

• Strong programme discipline across planning, governance, RAID management, dependency tracking, milestone control, decision logs and executive reporting.
• Ability to establish clear governance forums, steering committee discipline, workstream cadence, escalation routes and one integrated view of delivery status.

Resource Mobilisation

• Ability to mobilise functional teams based on deal complexity, geography, risk and transaction type.
• Ability to coordinate cross-functional execution across Corporate Development, Legal, Technology, Data, Operations, Finance, Tax, Risk, Compliance, Financial Crime, Internal Audit, Human Capital, Property, Business and Country teams.

Financial services risk and regulatory awareness

• Ability to work with Legal, Risk, Compliance and Corporate Development to ensure SPA obligations, Conditions Precedent, regulatory approvals, control requirements and risk dependencies are visible and managed through the execution plan.

Technology and data integration literacy

• Ability to coordinate with Technology, Data and Architecture teams on system impacts, data migration, cyber, access, reporting, architecture decisions, testing and cutover dependencies.

Value tracking and benefits discipline

• Ability to track benefits, synergies, cost-to-achieve, value dependencies and handover of longer-term value ownership into the business.

Capability building

• Ability to develop repeatable playbooks, templates, governance routines, readiness dashboards, cutover tools, value tracking mechanisms and reusable execution IP.
• Senior experience in M&A integration, separation, acquisition execution, transformation, PMO / IMO leadership or complex programme delivery.
• Experience in financial services, banking, insurance or another regulated environment is strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to deliver complex cross-functional programmes involving business, technology, data, operations, finance, risk, compliance, legal and people workstreams.
• Experience managing Day 1 readiness, cutover planning, transitional services, post-close stabilisation and value tracking.
• Experience working with executive sponsors, steering committees and senior decision forums.
• Experience building repeatable delivery methods, playbooks, templates and execution governance.
• Experience working with external advisory / consulting partners while ensuring knowledge transfer and internal ownership.
• Relevant degree in Business, Finance, Commerce, Law, Technology, Engineering, Programme Management or related field.
• Postgraduate qualification or MBA advantageous.
• Programme / project management certification advantageous, e.g. PMP, PRINCE2, MSP, Agile / SAFe or equivalent.
• M&A, corporate finance, strategy, transformation, risk, technology or financial services certification advantageous.

Additional Job Description

• Ensure that all activities and duties are carried out in full compliance with regulatory requirements, Enterprise Wide Risk Management Framework and Absa Policies and Policy Standards.
• Understand and manage risks and risk events (incidents) relevant to the role.

Education

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

End Date: August 21, 2026