Regional Head: Credit - Commercial Sector – Cape Town at Absa Group Limited (Absa)

Job Summary

• Enterprise Leadership of the Credit function relating to a specific credit segment, product or sector.  Accountable for managing the strategic direction and delivery of the credit requirements for the identified portfolio (including sub-portfolios, if applicable), such that the banks competitive position is protected and enhanced whilst maintaining and protecting the quality of the underlying asset book.

Job Description

Accountabilities:

Process:

• Ensure a fit for purpose credit strategy and framework for the underlying sector, segment or product in Relationship Banking that is relevant to the needs of customers and revenue generation requirements and targeted cost to serve.
• Accountable for the credit strategies across the product life cycle: acquisition, authorizations, portfolio credit limit management, re-issues, high risk exposure management, collections and recoveries
• Analyze, interpret and produce detailed reports that explain trends, discrepancies and inconsistencies.
• Develop, align and implement a tactical strategy and associated policies and guidelines within multiple practices.
• Develop a plan for multiple practice changes and specify the priorities of delivery plans and resources needed that puts a premium on simplicity, agility, innovation and incorporates the understanding of customer needs.
• Anticipate tactical strategy and practice issues for multiple practices and proactively develop solutions to enhance the quality of problem resolution.
• Contribute to the review and design of the business architectures (people, systems, processes, products, market segments and geography) to maintain competitive advantage, reduce cost and improve profitability.
• Conduct appropriate research and act as the strategic advisor and subject matter expert in respect of Credit requirements for allocated portfolio.
• Represent Relationship Banking, participate and contribute to industry and Bank wide forums and governance structures as required or directed.
• Interlock with key stakeholders in Relationship Banking and high value clients to obtain a commercial awareness of the local market and industry specifics leading to improved customer solutions
• Develop, maintain and review the appropriate mandate and scale, suitable lending criteria and risk appetites for the allocated portfolio.
• Drive improved data quality and RWA’s as wells as Economic Capital and Risk Capital returns; and continuously improve efficiencies, control and automation.
• Review quality credit assessments and present bespoke/bankable solutions pertaining to high value clients and transactions for the allocated credit portfolio.
• Accountable for the management and reporting of the end-to-end credit process within allocated region, ensuring service delivery exceeds the expectations of stakeholders pertaining to turnaround times and client visits for the allocated credit portfolio.
• Interlock with Supporting Functions in Relationship Banking (COO, Governance and Distressed Debt and others as appropriate) to ensure the appropriate level of delivery to achieve the needs of customers and revenue generation requirements and target costs.
• Participate in the financial planning cycles (MTP, STP and Revised Annual Forecast (RAF) for the portfolio by providing a view on impairments, expected losses, economic capital and other elements
• Direct responsibility for managing impairment and fraud costs and necessary remedial actions to deliver on annual STP. Actively manage costs, portfolio shape, quality and return resilience through the cycle.
• Support the development of credit tracking for tactical plans and credit scoreboards for the allocated portfolio and take corrective actions where required.

Client/Customer

• Develop tactical strategies for the integration of service excellence culture, which builds rewarding relationships and provides opportunity for feedback and exceptional service across multiple practices.
• Accountable for transforming and delivering the target customer experience in support of RB’s strategic aspirations through the appropriate credit frameworks, policy and processes.
• In partnership with the respective RB clusters, develop deep insights into customer needs, expectations and behaviors pertaining to the use of credit frameworks, policies and processes and align offerings that are innovative and competitive.

Finance

• Contribute to the setting of budgets, minimize expenditure and manage costs and assets effectively.
• Develop, implement and monitor a cycle of medium-term cost improvements.

Learning & Growth

• Create an engaging, enabling and productive work climate aligned to the employee value proposition.
• Develop and implement multi-practice change management initiatives.
• Builds and sustains a culture that aligns to RB’s aspirational colleague experience to deliver the target customer experience and financial performance.
• Implement corporate governance and compliance policies in multiple practice areas in order to identify and manage risk liabilities.
• Accountable for ensuring an optimal and compliant control environment within the allocated Portfolio that appropriately balances risk appetites and customer demand with the need to grow to achieve the financial ambitions and balance sheet aspirations of Revenue
• Implement agreed performance controls to proactively measure achievement against strategic targets and address changes or non-performance.
• Ensure that the credit function for the allocated Portfolio possess the required capabilities (infrastructure, people, process and culture) to comply with relevant regulations governing selling and to enable the delivery of RB’s strategic goals.

Education and Experience required

• Chartered Accountant [CA(SA)], or
• Desired Post Graduate Degree (NQF level no.8+)
• 8 - 10 years’ experience in a similar environment, of which 3 - 4 years at senior management level.

Education

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