Regional Manager: Retail Credit Risk, Absa Regional Operations at Absa Group Limited (Absa)

Job Summary

• To lead and direct the end-to-end management of credit risk for the countries and regional functional activities allocated. The total ARO Portfolio consists of 10 markets.

The role holder is expected to: 

• Ensuring alignment with growth strategies, regulatory compliance, and effective governance.
• Provides group-independent oversight for retail risk and facilitates centre enablement services, including impairments, best practice standards, and oversight of management information, models, and capital allocation
• Leadership in retail credit risk across the account life cycle related to credit origination, portfolio management, recoveries and collections and loan loss provisioning
• Manage the allocated ARO Africa Retail Credit Risk portfolios and profile within its risk appetite and acceptable Group parameters. 
• Develop a high performance culture in the country risk teams. 
• Driving the development of the ARO Retail Credit Risk and Portfolio agenda and underpinning performance metrics/infrastructure in a multi-geography environment. 
• Ensure that the in-Country Collections Operations are operationally capable of delivering on the business & credit risk strategies and key performance priorities including the strategic management, financial results and the risk management framework.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

Credit Risk Model Development (50%)

• Contribute to the development of a world-class ARO cluster credit risk model infrastructure.
• Lead the development and execution of Retail Credit Risk policy, portfolio strategy, and risk appetite across allocated ARO markets, ensuring alignment with ARO RBB strategies.
• Support the Chief Credit Officer in delivering the unit’s objectives.
• Define and implement robust Retail Risk Management frameworks and governance structures across allocated countries, ensuring compliance with ERMF, RDARR, and regulatory standards.
• Drive consistent policy adoption and execution of the end-to-end credit lifecycle strategy—including acquisition, account management, collections, and recoveries—in collaboration with country and Centre teams.
• Collaborate with product teams and external partners to design and implement innovative credit solutions, leveraging market insights, pricing strategies, and emerging technologies.
• Lead the execution of regional initiatives and thematic activities across ARO markets, identifying strategic opportunities and addressing gaps in business plans.
• Ensure robust risk assurance and compliance through effective monitoring, timely issue escalation, audit remediation, and regular reporting to governance forums.
• Build risk management capabilities across business units and lead enhancements to systems, processes, and procedures to support effective credit risk oversight.

Risk Management & Control (30%)

• Contribute to the articulation and establishment of appropriate governance structures across the credit lifecycle in line with ARO strategy.
• Support the Head of Retail Credit Risk and Head of Collections in delivering the Retail Credit Risk performance and control plan.
• Monitor portfolio performance across products and markets, identifying emerging risks and recommending mitigation strategies.
• Conduct regular country visits to influence and embed a coherent risk culture.
• Drive early warning systems and portfolio surveillance tools to detect deterioration trends.

Business Management (5%)

• Take ownership of coordinating Risk elements during annual planning and review of MTP, STP, and RAF budgets.
• Manage the function’s operations effectively and efficiently, aligning with the Risk Target Operating Model approved by the CRO.
• Support the CCO and management team in operating the Regional Africa Risk function in line with the Group-endorsed Risk Target Operating Model.

Stakeholder Management (10%)

• Facilitate effective interaction with country and group teams, as well as relevant Risk Committees.
• Support the Chief Credit Officer and other management colleagues in internal and external engagements.
• Cultivate and sustain strong relationships with Business and Functional Heads.
• Ensure strategic alignment of ARO risk with Group and Business Unit risk teams.
• Act as the central point of contact for ten banks across nine countries for all retail and micro SME products.

People Management (5%)

• Contribute to the enhancement of retail credit risk capability across people, processes, and measurement in allocated markets.
• Support the development of mobility and talent management plans across Africa regional teams.
• Actively participate in regional and country-level performance management and recruitment processes.
• Ensure alignment of strategic plans with people capabilities and capacity.

Education

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

End Date: October 22, 2025