CIB Credit Risk: Chief Operating Officer (P)

1001 Absa Bank; Sandton; On-site; ZAR 2,500,000 - 4,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Absa Bank Limited is seeking a Chief Operating Officer (COO) for its Credit function in South Africa. The role focuses on driving operational efficiency, leading strategic change initiatives, and overseeing day-to-day operations within Credit, with emphasis on risk management, technology adoption, and cultural change.

The COO will collaborate with risk functions, manage budgets, implement automation and data analytics, and champion a risk-aware culture across the department.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and execution of transformative change programs within the Credit function.
• Oversee implementation of new technologies, including automation, AI, and data analytics tools.
• Analyse operational processes to identify inefficiencies and drive process improvements.
• Monitor risk management metrics and ensure alignment with regulatory requirements and internal policies.
• Coordinate budgeting, financial planning, and cost management for the risk function.

Job description

Empowering Africa’s tomorrow, together…one story at a time. With over 100 years of rich history and strongly positioned as a local bank with regional and international expertise, a career with our family offers the opportunity to be part of this exciting growth journey, to reset our future and shape our destiny as a proudly African group.

Job Summary

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is responsible for driving operational efficiency, leading strategic change initiatives, and overseeing the day-to-day operations within the Credit function. This role is pivotal in implementing transformative projects that enhance the bank's risk management capabilities, including technology adoption, process improvement, and cultural change. The COO collaborates closely with all risk functions to ensure alignment with the BU's strategic objectives and fosters a culture of continuous improvement and risk awareness.

Job Description

Accountability: Strategic Change and Transformation Initiatives

• Lead the design and execution of transformative change programs within the Credit function.
• Identify opportunities for innovation and improvement in risk management processes and systems.
• Oversee the implementation of new technologies, including automation, artificial intelligence, and data analytics tools.
• Manage change management efforts to ensure successful adoption of new initiatives across the risk function.

Accountability: Operational Efficiency and Process Improvement

• Analyse existing operational processes to identify inefficiencies and areas for enhancement.
• Implement best practices and standardize processes across the Credit function.
• Monitor operational performance metrics and drive initiatives to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
• Ensure that operational processes are compliant with regulatory requirements and internal policies.

Accountability: Finance Management and Budgeting for the Credit Function

• Oversee financial planning, budgeting, and cost management for the risk department.
• Develop and monitor budgets to ensure optimal allocation of resources.
• Collaborate with finance teams to align risk function budgets with overall organizational financial plans.
• Implement cost-saving initiatives without compromising the quality of risk management.

Accountability: Technology Implementation and Innovation

• Lead the adoption of cutting-edge technologies to enhance risk management capabilities.
• Work closely with IT and data teams to implement risk management systems and tools.
• Ensure that technology initiatives support strategic objectives and improve risk processes.
• Promote the use of data analytics, automation, and AI within the Credit function.

Accountability: Business Management and Administration

• Oversee business management activities, including planning, reporting, and governance processes.
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies and regulatory requirements in all administrative matters.
• Manage vendor relationships and oversee procurement processes relevant to the risk function.
• Maintain up-to-date documentation of processes, procedures, and policies.

Accountability: Risk Support Services Coordination

• Manage administrative and operational support services for the Credit function.
• Ensure that support functions provide high-quality services to all risk teams.
• Facilitate effective communication and collaboration among different Credit and Risk departments.

Accountability: Culture and Change Management

• Champion a positive risk culture that aligns with the bank's values and strategic objectives.
• Collaborate with team to embed a strong risk-aware culture.
• Lead initiatives to promote cultural change and enhance employee engagement within the Credit function.
• Foster an environment that encourages innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning.

Education and experience required

BCom Hons Accounting or equivalent 10-15 years experience in a similar role within the financial industry, preferably in banking Education Bachelor`s Degrees and Advanced Diplomas: Business, Commerce and Management Studies (Required)

Absa Bank Limited is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer.

Absa Bank Limited reserves the right not to make an appointment to the post as advertised

At Absa, our story is not a single narrative.

It's thousands of individual journeys unfolding across Africa and beyond. From colleagues serving customers in local communities to teams shaping financial solutions across borders, Absa is built on people who bring their lived experiences, ambitions and perspectives into the workplace every day. Whether you're starting your career, a seasoned leader or somewhere in between, your contribution is seen, valued and connected to something bigger. Our presence across Africa – which spans personal and business banking, corporate and investment banking, wealth and investment management, and insurance – exists because of the people who show up in their roles with purpose. Across Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia, our colleagues are shaping what Absa becomes in each market. Beyond the continent, teams in global offices and a technology hub support and extend the stories that prove that African talent can lead, influence and innovate on the global stage.

At Absa, your story matters because progress is driven by human experience, not hierarchy. When people are enabled to bring their whole selves to work, they don't just build careers. They help shape the future of Africa's financial services landscape.