Senior Business Partner Alternative channels at Absa Group Limited (Absa)

Job Summary

• To provide advice and support in finance performance practice formulation and associated best practice improvement tactics; enabling the provision of specialist expertise.
• To provide financial leadership and support to the business.
• Provide guidance from a financial perspective to the business around the developing and measurement of businesses strategic goals.
• Drive operational understanding of the financial impact of decisions made. 
• Drive the businesses financial objectives by providing accurate value-added financial management information and analysis

Job Description

Key Accountabilities

Accountability: Financial Leadership and Support to business 40%

• Provide direction to the business executive committee (exco) based on analytical review of the Business Performance and an understanding of key business drivers
• Provide clear direction to the exco on what the business requirements and imperatives are by translating current business performance into actionable business objectives aimed and driving and improving performance.
• Participate as an active member of the Executive Committee of the business
• Translate Cluster strategy into meaningful operational targets for the business unit under management. Ensure that the focus areas are disseminated to all levels in the business unit
• Represent the business at a Product Cluster Level and negotiate and secure the budget and plans for the business unit and together with the Business ME take accountability to ensure the delivery on the promised business results.
• Negotiate with the various stakeholders on the targets set and drive the overall achievement of performance objectives in the business unit through the performance management function within the required business parameters.
• Drive change proactively aimed at continuous improvement in all areas of the business.
• Understand the requirements and mechanics of Economic / Regulatory Capital and Risk Weighted Assets as required by Basel III for Credit and Operational Risk. Support the business with the determination of the optimal usage of capital working within the constraints laid down by the Balance Sheet Management Committee
• Understand the requirements of Value Based management and help the business implement the principles and measurement capabilities

Accountability: People Management 10%

• Develop internal capability through the recruitment and development of a capable team who will ensure the necessary resources are in place to achieve business strategy and objectives.
• Together with the HRBP for the business unit implement the people management strategy for the area with a focus on talent management, development, resourcing and retention
• Embed formal Performance Development and informal coaching in the Team
• Motivate team and implement measures in place to recognise their direct reports
• Motivate team members through coaching and mentoring them to perform optimally around the vision and values, create a sense of urgency and excitement around the business and ensure that they strive to deliver optimally

Accountability: Risk Management 10%

• Act as sponsor for the area’s Risk Management Control Framework and manage and ensure compliance of the relevant policies
• Implement areas identified in the review of audit issue/findings logs and ensure adequate attention is given to closure within the agreed timelines by the accountable incumbent within the team.
• Complete required compliance and SOX attestations and ensure that impacted team members complete their attestations
• Review and approve Control Risk Assessments (RCA's) prepared in the function.
• Complete attestations to testify to the adequacy of controls on request within specific area
• Implement Key Risk Scenarios. Actively work with other managers to ensure the risk in the BU is minimised the amount of economic capital that has to be set aside for operational risk.

Accountability: Financial management and Business Partnering 30%

• Working with business unit heads define the cost centre structures and rollup/ consolidation to effectively manage the businesses performance
• Work with business unit heads to determine their performance reporting (financial and non-financial) needs and agree deliverables on an annual basis
• Define and instruct team on the formatting of management reports and contract with system developers and data providers to develop the reports
• Ensure "one version of the truth" for all reporting and that management reporting reconciles/agrees to reports produced within other areas of the business
• Review the variance analyses for the different business units as prepared by the team and discuss major variances, on the cost and income sides, with business unit heads to gain and understanding of the reasons
• Review quality of and provide input into the Cluster Exco pack (as compiled by the Cluster CFO) with a focus on the variances, reasons for variances and overall business performance of the cluster.
• Review transfer pricing arrangements in place for group functions charging to the cluster and recharges from the cluster to other business areas. On a monthly basis review reports to ensure that the charges processed are accurate and address concerns directly with the finance teams from other areas
• Lead investigations into cost saving initiatives and make comprehensive recommendations to the business unit ME.
• On request from project/change teams, provide input and support during the development of business case financials for new projects or initiatives

Accountability: Financial forecasting 10%

• Working with the business unit team and participate in the forecasting and scenario planning processes by providing a view on the financial impact on the cluster of changing internal financial strategies
• Advise business unit decision makers on the process and requirements during the MTP (Medium Term Planning), STP (Short-term/budget planning) and RAF (Revised Annual Forecast) cycles. Ensure that their commitment and thorough input is obtained for these activities and support them with translating strategy into financial objectives on request
• Manage and review the consolidated financial plans generated by MTP, STP and RAF prepared by the team and quality check the consolidations prior to recommending approval to the Cluster CFO.

Role / Person Specification

Education and Experience Required

• NQF Level 7: Honours/Masters Degree
• CA(SA) or equivalent NQF level 7 qualification
• At least 5 years general management experience in a banking finance environment
• At least 3 years experience in successful performance management
• At least 3 years experience as a proactive change agent
• Experience in a Leadership role
• Exposure to dealing with Key stakeholders & Senior Management

Knowledge & Skills: 

• Banking regulation (Expert)
• Writing & reporting (Advanced)
• Presentation skills (Advanced)
• Understanding of systems used (Advanced)
• Understanding of relevant legislation (Advanced)
• Understanding of corporate controls and checks (Advanced)
• Knowledge of business continuity and contingency (Advanced)
• Computer literacy (Advanced)
• Excellent organisational skills (Advanced)
• Excellent communication skills (Advanced)
• Relationship management and networking (Advanced)
• Strong performance management and coaching skills (Advanced)
• Ability to think creatively (Advanced)
• Ability to react positively under pressure (Advanced)
• Good understanding of the policies and strategies (Advanced)
• Understanding of Banking operating structures (Advanced)
• Change management (Advanced)

Competencies: 

• Entrepreneurial and commercial thinking
• Deciding and initiating action
• Adapting and responding to change Planning
• Learning and researching

Analysing

• Planning and organising
• Relating and networking
• Leading and supervising

Financial & Performance Reporting:

• Prepare financial and performance reports, both management and adhoc, by coordinating the execution of the day to day and general accounting functions in order to enable decision making.
• Present monthly reports by ensuring the completeness, accuracy and relevance of the information to be presented to enable Group Finance Management Team to make informed decisions.
• Prepare, sign off and discuss the short term plan (STP), medium term plan(MTP) and rolling forecast(RAF) and budgets with the relevant stakeholders to enable consolidation into Finance forecast and budget.
• Work with the team to consolidate the financial plans generated by MTP, STP and RAF and sense check the consolidations prior to recommending 2 approval by the Head of Group Finance 
• Advisory Support: Provide advice and support to management on financial risks that might have an impact on profitability by discussing at regular intervals all financial related matters 
• Financial Control and Compliance: Sign off on the quarterly supplementary schedules and attestation to Group Finance prepared by the relevant staff in the prescribed format.
• Maintain appropriate internal controls in line with Absa group policy by reviewing regularly all variance reports and other reports where applicable.
• Interact with the Internal and External Audit team and provide necessary information as and when required
• Ensure cost centre Managers comply with all regulations and policies when reflecting the financial position of the business 

Stakeholder Management:

• Communicate financial policies, procedures, standards and guidelines to the Senior Business Manager and Group Finance Management Team.
• Support projects by developing the financial component of the business case that is created by the management team to actively track and change benefits and costs of the project. Provide strong support to the operational team by having regular meetings with to share financial performance. 

Executive Administration:

• Prepare the key themes, presentations and reviews for the Senior Business Manager and assist with detailed content when required.
• Ensure that presentations are packaged to reflect the business unit's brand and the Senior Business Manager’s preferred style.
• Screen requests for meetings or events to be attended by the Senior Business Manager and determine which ones would be appropriate for personal attendance and which ones should be delegated to other managers in the business unit. Sign off proposals, quotes, invoices etc. based on the mandate delegated by the Senior Business Manager.

Education

• Postgraduate Degrees and Professional Qualifications: Financial Sciences (Required)

Closng Date: 1st, April 2022