Head: Commercial Asset Finance

1001 Absa Bank; Sandton; On-site; ZAR 2,600,000 - 4,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Absa Bank SA is shaping the next phase of Commercial Asset Finance by setting strategic direction, leading performance and developing financing propositions that help businesses acquire productive assets to grow.

In this executive role, you will drive portfolio strategy, profitability and sustainable growth, strengthen partnerships with Finance, Credit and Risk, and oversee governance, risk and end-to-end product delivery.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Commerce, Finance, Business, Economics.
• Significant senior leadership experience in Commercial Asset Finance or related banking roles.
• Demonstrated accountability for a material commercial portfolio and product P&L.
• Strong knowledge of lending, asset-finance origination, pricing, credit and portfolio management.
• Experience leading senior and specialist teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the Commercial Asset Finance strategy and portfolio performance.
• Lead the lifecycle management of customer-led propositions and product innovation.
• Strengthen origination and distribution through Business Banking teams and partners.
• Maintain governance, risk controls and a high-performing, inclusive team culture.

Skills

Senior leadership experience

Portfolio management

Executive stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Business growth

Product leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree 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 Absa Absa 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 Summary

Shape 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 Description

Commercial 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 Requirements

Bachelor'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. Advantageous Postgraduate 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

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.