Head: Commercial Asset Finance

ABSA BANK LIMITED; Sandton; On-site; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Job summary

ABSA Bank Limited in South Africa seeks an executive to lead Commercial Asset Finance within Business Banking. You will set strategic direction, drive portfolio profitability and secure sustainable, risk-adjusted growth while strengthening partnerships with Finance, Credit and Risk.

You will own product lifecycle, originations, pricing, and governance, building a high-performing team and embedding an inclusive culture focused on customer outcomes and disciplined execution.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Commerce, Finance, Business, Economics.
• Significant senior leadership experience in Commercial Asset Finance and related fields.
• Accountability for a material commercial portfolio or P&L.
• Strong knowledge of lending, asset-finance origination, pricing, credit, deal structuring, and portfolio management.
• Proven executive stakeholder management and product leadership.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the Commercial Asset Finance strategy and portfolio performance across revenue, profitability, pricing, returns, capital utilisation and balance sheet growth.
• Lead product development and lifecycle management of Commercial Asset Finance propositions.
• Strengthen origination and distribution with Business Banking teams, customers, dealers, suppliers, manufacturers and strategic partners.
• Oversee product infrastructure including people, processes, data and tech; ensure governance and risk standards.
• Build and lead a high-performing team and foster an inclusive culture of customer focus and disciplined execution.

Skills

Executive leadership

Commercial Asset Finance

Asset finance origination

Deal structuring/Pricing

Portfolio management

Stakeholder management

Credit risk

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Commerce/Finance/Business/Economics

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.Belonging at AbsaAbsa is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from suitably qualified individuals from diverse backgrounds. In support of our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) commitments and Employment Equity objectives, preference may be given to candidates from underrepresented designated groups, including persons with disabilities. We encourage applicants who may require reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process to let us know so that appropriate support can be provided.Job SummaryShape the next phase of Commercial Asset Finance at Absa Business Banking. This executive opportunity within Lending Products goes beyond managing a product: you will set the strategic direction, lead commercial performance and develop financing propositions that help businesses acquire the productive assets they need to grow. Bringing together commercial leadership, secured-lending expertise and customer insight, you will take end-to-end accountability for the portfolio’s strategy, profitability and sustainable, risk-adjusted growth. The opportunity is to strengthen client and sector relevance, deepen strategic partnerships and advance product and digital innovation—building the people, processes and capabilities that will differentiate the business for its next phase of growth.Job DescriptionCommercial Management: Develop and execute the Commercial Asset Finance strategy and take accountability for portfolio performance across revenue, profitability, pricing, returns, capital utilisation and sustainable balance sheet growth. Translate business priorities into commercial plans, identify market and customer opportunities, and partner with Finance, Credit and Risk to deliver appropriate risk-adjusted returns.Product Management: Lead the development and lifecycle management of customer-led Commercial Asset Finance propositions. Use customer, market, competitor and portfolio insights to drive product innovation, growth and differentiation. Strengthen origination and distribution through Business Banking teams, customers, dealers, suppliers, manufacturers, original equipment manufacturers and other strategic partners.Product Infrastructure: Take accountability for the people, processes, data and technology supporting the Commercial Asset Finance portfolio. Ensure that origination, credit, fulfilment, servicing and portfolio-management capabilities support the intended customer experience, operational performance and commercial strategy. Maintain effective governance, risk and control standards across the product environment.People and Culture: Build and lead a high-performing Commercial Asset Finance function. Attract, retain and develop scarce specialist and leadership capability, strengthen succession pipelines, and create an inclusive culture of customer focus, commercial ownership, collaboration, innovation and disciplined execution.Minimum RequirementsBachelor’s degree or equivalent NQF Level 8 qualification in Commerce, Finance, Business, Economics or a related discipline.Significant senior leadership experience in Commercial Asset Finance, Vehicle and Asset Finance, equipment finance, lending products or a closely related commercial banking environment.Demonstrated accountability for a material commercial portfolio, product P&L or business unit.Strong knowledge of commercial lending, asset-finance origination, pricing, credit, deal structuring and portfolio management.Proven experience in commercial strategy, product leadership, business growth and executive stakeholder management.Demonstrated experience leading senior and specialist teams.AdvantageousPostgraduate qualification in business, finance, strategy or leadership.Experience within asset-intensive sectors such as agriculture, transport and logistics, manufacturing, commercial vehicles, equipment or yellow goods.Established relationships across customer, dealer, supplier, manufacturer or original equipment manufacturer ecosystems.Experience leading product, digital or operating-model transformation.Education