Team Leader: Customer Review at Absa Group Limited (Absa)

Job Summary

• To develop tactical strategy and delivery plans, formulate associated practices, and ensure operational implementation and adoption across a single practice in terms of risk methodology, governance, and delivery objectives. This role presents an exciting opportunity for a highly skilled and experienced professional to lead and enhance financial crime risk management. The focus includes combating money laundering, terrorist financing, proliferation financing, breaches of economic and financial sanctions, bribery, and corruption.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities:

• Risk and Control: Perform risk and control assessments, front to back, for allocated business.
• Stakeholder Management: Maintain professional relationships with key stakeholders to enhance collaboration and efficiency.
• Development of Technical and Product Knowledge: Proactively enhance technical skills through active research, training, and industry updates.
• Projects: Execute allocated projects to improve risk management frameworks and financial crime risk assessments.
• Team Management: Provide leadership, direction, and support to the Customer Review team to ensure high performance and compliance with regulatory requirements.

Risk and Control:

• Implement and oversee risk management frameworks within the Customer Review team to ensure compliance with regulatory and internal policies.
• Conduct risk and control assessments to identify potential gaps and implement corrective actions.
• Enhance operational risk awareness across the team through training and proactive risk mitigation strategies.
• Monitor financial crime risks associated with STRs, SARs, TFTRs, and TFARs, ensuring timely and accurate reporting to regulators.
• Develop and maintain key risk indicators (KRIs) to track and measure financial crime risks effectively.

Candidate Requirements:

Experience and Knowledge:

• Extensive experience in financial crime risk management, investigation, and regulatory reporting.
• In-depth knowledge of foreign exchange, International Funds Transfer Reporting (IFTR), Cash Threshold Report (CTR) and Settlement Correspondent Agreement (SCA) frameworks.
• Strong understanding of risk methodologies, governance frameworks, and financial surveillance.

Skills and Competencies:

• Exceptional leadership and people management skills.
• Strong analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple stakeholders and work collaboratively.
• Excellent communication and reporting skills.
• Proficiency in financial crime risk assessment tools and regulatory reporting processes.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Relevant tertiary qualification in Finance, Risk Management, Compliance, or a related field.
• Certifications in AML/CFT (e.g., CAMS, ICA, or equivalent) would be advantageous.
• Proven experience in leading high-performing teams within financial crime risk management.

Education

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