Application Owner - Open Banking

Absa Group; South Africa; Remote; ZAR 700,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial institution in South Africa is seeking an Application Owner to oversee open banking applications. The role requires managing the entire lifecycle of applications, collaborating with teams to ensure compliance, and enhancing user experience. Ideal candidates have a Bachelor's degree in IT and at least 4 years of experience in digital banking or financial technology.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 4 years of experience in IT application management, digital banking, or financial technology.
• Proven track record in managing banking applications, including online banking, mobile banking, and other digital services.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams to deliver complex digital solutions.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the end-to-end lifecycle of open banking applications.
• Ensure applications meet business goals and customer expectations.
• Monitor performance and stability of open banking applications.

Skills

Analytical Thinking

Collaboration

Adaptability

Innovation-Driven

Strong communication skills

Attention to detail

Time management

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology

Tools

Banking software

Cloud platforms

APIs and integration technologies

Job description

Job Summary

The Application Owner is responsible for the overall management, operation, and performance of banking platforms and applications within Absa Bank Mauritius Limited, focusing on Open Banking solutions. This role ensures that open banking solutions meet the needs of customers, comply with regulatory standards, and align with the strategic objectives of the business. The Application Owner will collaborate with cross-functional teams, including business, product development, and customer service, to optimize the functionality, usability, and security of banking applications. This role is integral to the successful execution of a financial institution’s digital transformation strategy, ensuring that our banking solutions remain competitive, secure, and user-friendly.

Job Description

Application Management & Ownership

• Oversee the end-to-end lifecycle of open banking applications, from design to implementation and ongoing optimization.
• Ensure applications are aligned with business goals, industry trends, and customer expectations.
• Manage and prioritize the product backlog, ensuring timely delivery of features, enhancements, and bug fixes.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement

• Work closely with cross-functional teams to drive open banking initiatives.
• Collaborate with business units to gather requirements, assess opportunities for innovation, and implement improvements to open banking platforms.
• Ensure effective communication of application goals, progress, and outcomes with key stakeholders.

Application Optimization & Support

• Monitor the performance and stability of open banking applications, addressing any technical or operational issues promptly.
• Ensure high availability (in line with agreed service levels) with KPIs measured and monitored on an ongoing basis.
• Ensure scalability and security of concerned banking solutions.
• Lead post-implementation reviews to identify areas for continuous improvement and implement corrective actions.

Vendor & Partner Management

• Manage relationships with third-party vendors and external partners to ensure service level agreements (SLAs) are met and products are delivered on time.
• Evaluate and negotiate contracts with vendors to ensure the best solutions for the institution.

Data Analytics & Reporting

• Utilize data and analytics to monitor application performance and customer usage patterns.
• Generate reports and dashboards to track KPIs and make data-driven decisions.
• Analyze user trends and market demands to guide the evolution of digital banking products.

Projects and Initiatives

• Drive and deliver projects and initiatives of the Digital Transformation and technology function, aligned to the strategy of the bank.
• Understand and analyse business requirements and opportunities, scout for and assess solutions and technologies that would be appropriate and make recommendations for implementation.
• Ensure the different stages of the project delivery process are followed, including ideation, design, approvals, implementation, testing and go live, in line with Absa’s policies and standards.
• Own and be accountable for delivery of identified solutions, communicating progress to stakeholders on a regular basis.

Customer Experience

• Always have a “Customer” first attitude and ensure all customer queries/calls are attended to on priority.
• Drive enhancements to improve the user experience (UX) and ensure digital banking platforms are customer-centric, by working with the design and development teams to implement UX/UI improvements based on customer insights.
• Participate in internal brainstorming sessions for development of new products and services or amendments to existing services.
• Facilitate a customer obsession culture within and across teams for the long term success of the brand and continuous business growth.
• Provide insights, key learnings, and digital behavioural trends to relevant stakeholders on digital and technology projects.

Test Management

• Ensure proper testing for all application changes released into production environments as assigned by Line Management.
• Work closely with Product Owners and delivery partners.
• Review releases and testing deliverables, including backout planning.
• Participate in functional, performance, and integration testing results.
• Coordinate application changes in line with the Absa Technology Change Management Standards.

Personal Development

• Drive own Performance Development, collating relevant documentation, preparing for and arranging reviews.
• Using skills matrix, identify training and development requirements and formulate a plan to be agreed with the team leader. Ensure the plan is completed within agreed timescales.
• Undertake all necessary training to perform the role to the required standards, including gaining accreditation where appropriate.
• Maintain awareness of technology advancements and best practices that support digital banking applications.

Risk Management

• Proactively identify and mitigate risks related to digital banking applications.
• Build relationships with the country IT Risk and Governance team and provide support wherever required.
• Contribute to the improvement of the function’s risk profile by delivering improved governance, risk management, controls, and compliance requirements.

Mandatory Risk and Control Objective

Ensure that all activities and duties are carried out in full compliance with regulatory requirements, Enterprise-Wide Risk Management Framework and internal Absa Policies and Policy Standards. Understand and manage risks and risk events (incidents) relevant to the role.

Role/Person Specification

Preferred Education & Preferred Experience:

• Minimum of 4 years of experience in IT application management, digital banking, or financial technology.
• Proven track record in managing banking applications, including online banking, mobile banking, and other digital services.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams to deliver complex digital solutions.

Technical Skills:

• Familiarity with banking software and platforms.
• Knowledge of cloud platforms, application hosting, and security protocols for financial institutions.
• Understanding of APIs, integration technologies, and system architecture in the banking domain.
• Cloud Certification preferred.

Soft Skills:

• Analytical Thinking: Ability to break down complex problems and develop practical solutions.
• Collaboration: A strong team player who thrives in cross-functional team settings.
• Adaptability: Comfortable working in a fast-paced and evolving environment.
• Innovation-Driven: Passionate about leveraging technology to improve the digital banking experience.
• Strong communication skills: Ability to influence and manage stakeholders at all levels.
• High attention to detail with a customer-first mindset.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, projects, and deadlines simultaneously.

Education

Bachelor's Degree: Information Technology