Head: Credit Risk - Resources and Project Finance

Absa Group; Sandton; On-site; ZAR 800,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading banking group is seeking a Credit Risk Manager to head the Resources and Project Finance credit risk team. This role involves conducting detailed credit risk assessments, informing decision-making, and ensuring compliance with internal policies and regulations to manage the risk portfolio effectively. Candidates should have at least 10 years of credit risk experience in banking, strong interpersonal skills, and relevant postgraduate qualifications.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years credit risk experience in a banking environment.
• Strong decision-making and leadership experience required.
• Proficient in MS Office tools including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Responsibilities

• Lead credit risk assessments and reviews within the credit lifecycle.
• Develop and deliver monthly risk management information for senior management.
• Ensure adherence to banking credit policies and legal requirements.

Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Risk Management

Analytical Skills

Education

B-degree in Business or Commerce

Postgraduate qualification (CA(SA) / CFA / MBA)

Tools

MS Office

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

To lead a portfolio within the Resources and Project Finance credit risk team responsible for carrying out comprehensive and quality credit risk functions within the credit lifecycle to create shared growth.
To conduct quality credit risk assessments and reviews that present commercially minded solutions through analysis of financial, industry and economic information.

This is achieved through leadership, guidance and advice driving the Credit Risk strategies, appetite and risk mindset to enhance the decision-making process involved in the extension and management of credit risk within the boundaries of internal policies and external regulations.
The individual will also advise senior management and internal Committees, represent the business function in working groups and provide guidance to team members and other business partners

Job Description

Accountability: Business Results

• Execute Credit Risk strategies within the area of responsibility.
• Carry out comprehensive and quality credit risk functions. Functions cut across the credit lifecycle (i.e. granting, implementing, managing and restructuring).
• Representing Credit to Senior Management in various committees, presenting analysis of the aggregate portfolio risk and composition.
• Presentation of portfolio risk analysis to the relevant risk committees.
• Developing and delivering relevant Monthly Risk MI for Senior Management, including analysis and commentary, ensuring risk issues on the defined portfolio are well understood and presented transparently.
• Manage exposures including the accurate maintenance of the data on relevant risk systems.
• Create presentations and technical documents designed to articulate key risks to various forums and credit committees.
• Manage all administrative and operational aspects of the relevant portfolio of clients ensuring completeness, accuracy and validity of data.
• Maintain / manage the relevant Risk portfolios within the defined appetite levels.
• Influence business strategies by setting and communicating credit risk appetite.
• Ensure quality risk assessments are made ensuring responsible decision making.
• Stakeholder engagement to ensure commercially minded solutions in the decision-making process at an agreed risk profile.
• Management interface and involvement on all key Risk and Regulatory projects driving the change agenda.
• Review and enhancement of systems and processes with a view towards efficiency and automation whilst managing the current operational environment.
• Pro-actively manage the lending portfolios of the chosen sector and credit risks associated with a portfolio of clients.
• To be an expert with an advanced understanding of Macro economic environment, industries and Bank products with the associated risks.
• Facilitate / and or make the credit sanctioning decisions ensuring responsible risk decisions are made.
• Explore new, improved and alternative ways of lending credit to ensure and efficient and improved end to end risk delivery.
• Liaise with senior management to translate their market intent into proactive risk initiatives in support of growth.
• Build strong relationships with both global and local internal and external stakeholders.
• Be part of the solution by being part of the client service team giving credit input to ensure responsible risk taking.
• Effectively communicate developments within areas of activity to all relevant stakeholders.

Accountability: Data and System management

• Provide the Risk forums with key management information relevant to your portfolio, sector and key strategic objectives that is complete, accurate and valid.
• Create and maintain an accurate due diligence record of the portfolio, limits and key credit metrics.
• Understand and manage the required inputs into the banks models ensuring validity and accuracy.
• Monitor the client business performance and identify relevant risks to ensure early identification of change in the client¡¦s business or operating environment and watchlist accordingly.
• Proactively utilise the systems and tools available for Credit Risk and partake in the ongoing development and feedback of these systems to deliver and enhanced automated credit function.

Accountability: Governance

• Ensure that the Bank’s credit policies and philosophy are complied with.
• Ensure understanding and adherence to relevant Legal requirements relevant to the Credit Lifecycle and specific industry.
• Regulatory legislation and the changing environment require an up-to-date knowledge of changes and the impact on credit risk and capital adequacy.
• Complete the necessary training requirements and Compliance processes in a timely manner.

Accountability: People

• Create an environment that supports a high-performance culture of individuals that feel engaged and are willing and able to adapt to change.
• Retain and build talent within the teams focusing of individuals that see Risk experience as a competitive advantage for their careers.
• Enhance and grow the skill base in Credit through active engagement, driving of key initiatives/innovation, leading by example and technical proficiency
• Ensure succession plans are in place focusing on talent with a Risk adjusted mindset.
• Continually review and adjust the organisational design to better support the changing environment.
• Ensure ongoing support to the VP and AVP’s in their roles in respect of training, risk management, portfolio management, governance and people management accountabilities
• Develop relationships with colleagues and create a sense of engagement.
• Communicate change in a constructive and positive manner.
• Embrace and adapt to the diversity and change within the current Banking environment.
• Demonstrate the willingness and ability to perform to the very best levels to ensure personal alignment to the Credit Risk Strategy.

Preferred Education

• B-degree in Business or Commerce (or similar) with Honours
• Relevant postgraduate qualification such as CA(SA) / CFA/ MBA preferable or 8 to 10 years experience within a credit risk environment with decision making and leadership experience

Preferred Experience

• Minimum 10 years credit risk experience in a Banking environment.
• Experience in covering Mining, Project Finance or Oil & Gas sectors is a requirement. .
• Strong interpersonal ability, as well as provide training and to communicate effectively with people and organizations with a variety of backgrounds and perspectives.
• Proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook).

Education

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

Absa Bank Limited is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. In compliance with the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998, preference will be given to suitable candidates from designated groups whose appointments will contribute towards achievement of equitable demographic representation of our workforce profile and add to the diversity of the Bank.

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