Lead Specialist: Records, Risk and Reporting

Absa Group; Sandton; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Absa Group in South Africa is seeking a Records & Governance specialist to coordinate BRIAR and EUDA activities, manage retention/destruction actions and deliver governance packs.

The role emphasizes risk-based decision making, evidence management, and cross-functional collaboration with Data Management, Records Management, Risk, Compliance, Legal, Technology and Operations teams.

Qualifications

• 5–8 years' experience in Records Management, Risk Management, Governance, Compliance, Data Governance or Reporting.
• Experience with BRIAR, EUDA, Records Retention/Destruction is advantageous.
• Experience preparing management reports, dashboards, governance packs or risk committee updates.
• Experience tracking audit findings, remediation actions and risks in regulated environments.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and monitor BRIAR activities, ensuring reviews are completed and actions tracked to closure.
• Support EUDA reviews with inventories, assessments, approvals and remediation actions.
• Drive records retention compliance and coordinate destruction validation and reporting.
• Maintain records of risks, issues, actions, decisions and control evidence.
• Prepare management reports, dashboards and governance packs on records, risk, BRIAR and EUDA.

Skills

Records Management

Risk Management

Governance

Compliance

Data Governance

Reporting

Power BI

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Problem-solving

Tools

Power BI

Job description

* Coordinate and monitor BRIAR activities, ensuring reviews are completed, evidence is maintained and actions are tracked to closure.* Support EUDA reviews by ensuring inventories, assessments, approvals and remediation actions are complete and accurate.* Drive records retention compliance by working with business areas to identify, classify and manage records in line with approved retention requirements.* Support records destruction activities, including validation, business sign-off, control checks and reporting.* Maintain accurate records of risks, issues, actions, decisions and control evidence.* Prepare regular management reports, dashboards and governance packs covering records, risk, BRIAR, EUDA, retention and destruction progress.* Track audit findings, risk actions and remediation commitments to ensure timely closure.* Support the implementation of Data Management and Records Management standards, policies and procedures.* Identify control gaps, process weaknesses and areas requiring escalation.* Provide operational support to governance forums, including agenda preparation, minutes, action logs and reporting updates.* Ensure timely execution of agreed records, risk and reporting activities.* Improve the quality, consistency and completeness of evidence submitted by business stakeholders.* Maintain disciplined tracking of actions, decisions, risks and dependencies.* Support automation and simplification of manual reporting where possible.* Ensure reporting is accurate, insightful and aligned to business, risk and governance requirements.* Monitor performance against agreed timelines, standards and control expectations.* Partner with business units to obtain evidence, resolve queries and drive timely completion of actions.* Work closely with Data Management, Records Management, Risk, Compliance, Legal, Technology and Operations teams.* Build trusted relationships with stakeholders by providing clear guidance, structured follow-up and practical support.* Facilitate discussions to resolve blockers related to records, risk, retention, destruction, BRIAR and EUDA.* Communicate requirements clearly and professionally across different levels of the organisation.* 5 - 8 years' experience in Records Management, Risk Management, Governance, Compliance, Data Governance or Reporting.* Experience working with BRIAR, EUDA, Records Retention, Records Destruction or similar Governance/Control processes would be advantageous.* Experience preparing management reports, dashboards, governance packs or risk committee updates.* Experience tracking audit findings, remediation actions, risks and control evidence.* Experience working in a regulated environment, preferably financial services or banking.* Strong understanding of policy implementation, control monitoring and evidence management.* Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.* Good understanding of Governance, Risk and Control principles.* Strong reporting and Analytical skills.* Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.* Excellent stakeholder engagement and follow-up skills.* Strong written and verbal communication skills.* Ability to work independently and escalate appropriately.* Good problem-solving and process improvement mindset.* High level of accountability, discipline and professionalism.* Experience with Power BI would be advantageous.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.