Regional Manager– Retail Credit Risk (Fixed Term Contract ) - Johannesburg at Absa South Africa

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: 

• Transform the way Retail Risk is managed in order to reflect the growth strategy of ARO. 
• 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 Accountabilities 

Contribute to the development of a world class ARO cluster credit risk model infrastructure (50%) 

• Lead Retail Credit Risk Policy, Portfolio Management and strategy for allocated ARO markets and functional activities ensuring a robust risk framework and that the strategic risk is effectively managed to deliver the agreed returns.
• As the key member of the ARO Regional Risk team recommend policies, strategies and procedures to improve the management of the end-to-end credit life cycle in line with the ARO Retail and Business Banking Strategy.
• Lead the articulation of the Retail Risk Management framework for specified risk types (credit, portfolio, operational risk) in allocated countries.
• Articulate and establish appropriate governance for the allocated country Retail Credit Risk teams.
• Contribute to the establishment of an appropriate strategy and enabling policies for the Centre Regional Credit Risk teams as well as the country Risk and Collections teams in line with the RBB strategy.
• In partnership with the Country Retail Credit Risk and Collections teams, take responsibility for the retail credit risk strategy performance in delivery of the plan. The plan covers acquisition, account management and collections and recoveries strategies.
• Partner with country product teams in designing product life cycle management strategies including market demands, test & learn programs, pricing & returns, technology trends, as well as drive innovation by working with internal & or external partners/alliances.
• Oversee identification and execution of opportunities and gaps business plans.
• Own and drive the review and /or rollout of allocated Regional initiatives or thematic activities across the 10 markets in partnership with in-country Heads of Credit, in-country Heads of Collections and recoveries and Centre Regional Team.
• Actively participate and contribute towards systems, processes and procedures build or enhancements.
• Partner with the in-country Heads of Risk and Collections in in designing and executing collections and recoveries strategies. 

Risk Management & Control 35% 

• Contribute to the articulation and establish appropriate governance as a SBU and for all of the allocated markets or regional initiatives across the entire credit life cycle in line with the ARO strategy.
• In partnership with the Country Retail Credit Risk and Collections teams, take responsibility for the Retail credit risk strategy performance and control environment in delivery of the plan.
• Support the Head of Retail Credit Risk and Head of Collections in delivering the Retail Credit Risk performance and control plan.

People Management 15% 

• Contribute to the improvement in retail credit risk capability in terms of people, process and measurement for allocated markets.
• Contribute to the development of mobility and talent management plan across the RoA regional teams.
• Actively participate in the regional and country performance management and recruitment process.
• Ensure alignment of strategic plan to people capabilities and capacity.
• Perform all other duties as reasonably assigned

Education and Experience Required 

• Bsc-degree Honours or B.Com Honours. MBA or a related NQF Level 9 equivalent qualification a strong advantage.
• (5+) years’ experience in the Banking sector which must include proven experience, preferably with international exposure and having worked in multiple locations/ countries.
• (3) years’ experience in managing a large portfolio.
• (3) years’ experience on a senior management level in a large corporate.

Knowledge & Skills: (Maximum of 8) 

• Ability to operate at a strategic level in ambiguous / dynamic environments.
• Proven retail credit risk and SME knowledge and experience across secured and unsecured products. Also developed and managed credit risk policies and strategies.
• Experience of managing diverse and senior stakeholders across a group.
• Proven leadership of a material Retail Credit Portfolio and ideally across a number of countries.
• Proven experience of accounting and regulatory policies applicable to the management of retail credit risk.
• Experience of building and transforming credit functions.
• Knowledge and experience in the collections and recoveries activities and performance metrics.

Competencies: (Maximum of 8 competencies) 

• Analysing
• Adapting and responding to change
• Coping with pressures and setbacks
• Formulating strategies and concepts
• Deciding and initiating action
• Delivering results and meeting customer expectations
• Leading and supervising
• Working with people 

Education

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