Senior Strategist at Absa Group Limited (Absa)

Job Summary

To support the Head of ITO Strategy in discharging his/her responsibilities in shaping key strategic priorities across the Information and Technology Office (ITO), the Digital Book of Work, and in developing Group’s Innovation Ecosystem, and the value exchange back to business and to the communities in which we operate, whilst ensuring alignment to our Cultural journey.

Conduct research and compile strategic insights into global digital banking trends and the local, regional and global Innovation Ecosystem in order to improve future thinking of executives.

Job Description

Research & Insight (20%)

• Research and keep abreast of best practices, new technologies, competitor activity and international trends using subscriptions such as CB Insights and Gartner
• Provide the Head of ITO Strategy with business insights, implications and strategic recommendations from analysis of global trends to aid proactive actionable data-driven decisions
• Remain up to date on changes in industry trends, best practices globally, innovations and digital banking behaviours to identify opportunities and potential impacts to the marketplace
• Research possible external suppliers and FinTechs to identify potential digital and strategic partnership opportunities
• Scan the environment for potential future innovative solutions that may provide fit-for-purpose answers to current business challenges, within the context of ITO business strategies
• Interpret and integrate research data, draw conclusions/implications and translate into insights to share as thought leadership with the Digital Forum, ITO ExCo and the Absa ExCo

Stakeholder Management (10%)

• Identify and engage effectively with relevant key stakeholders within ITO and supporting functions to ensure alignment, integration and support of strategic initiatives
• Participate in internal and external events to promote the understanding of the ITO and the Digital strategies
• Interface with ITO Exco’s direct reports to understand the operating environment and to assist them in prioritising focus areas and keeping them true to performance metrics
• Interface with technology, data, functions and group People to assist in building a sustainable performance solution for ITO.

Strategy Development (40%)

• Understand the group, business and function strategies to shape the ITO strategic focus areas and main effort with related performance metrics
• Ensure that the ITO functions strategies are cascaded from the ITO strategy and are translated to strategic main efforts for ITO with metrics and measures cascaded to the functions
• Strategically advise the operational areas on their performance metrics relative to their targets, with a focus on actionable recommendations
• Project management of minor strategic elements/projects with timely stakeholder feedback
• Development of the performance dashboard, ensuring a sustainable solution for ITO

Digital (30%)

• Assist with the management of the digital book of work through the establishment and running of a monthly digital book of work committee
• Ensure the book of work has accurate digital classifications that are agreed with business change leads and Head of Digital
• Liaise with the change team to understand the Red/off-track digital projects and the implications thereof
• Work with the Change team to understand the interdependencies of the transformational digital book of work
• Work with the Change team to understand the benefits to be realised through the digital projects and how these impact the digital group measures
• Work with the Planex team to ensure digital views of the book of work are accurate
• Provide reporting required on the digital book of work as input into forums.

Support Duties

• Develop deliverables, such as presentations, proposals and recommendations on behalf of the Head of ITO Strategy, and assist with detailed content when required
• Liaise on a regular basis with the relevant stakeholders to ensure key communications and strategic deliverables are developed
• Attend selected meetings on the Head of ITO Strategy’s behalf, and provide early warnings on any probable issues and proposed solutions

Education and Experience Required

• B-degree in Technology/Finance/Mathematics/Economics/Statistics
• 10+ years’ experience, majority within Financial Services
• Experience in strategy formulation
• Experience in technology and digital
• Experience in programme / portfolio management

Knowledge and skills

• Knowledge of Strategic Managements principles and approaches
• Analytical/ Data management skills
• Project Management
• Stakeholder management skills
• Developed presentation and PPT skills

Competencies: 

• Ability to deal with ambiguity and complexity
• Deciding on and initiating action
• Adapting and responding to change
• Ability to work under pressure in order to meet deadlines

Education

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