Lead Specialist: Records, Risk and Reporting

1001 Absa Bank; Sandton; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

Absa Bank in South Africa seeks a Records, Risk and Reporting Lead Specialist to manage governance, evidence and reporting across BRIAR, EUDA and retention programs. The role focuses on compliance, audit readiness and effective stakeholder engagement across risk, compliance, technology and operations.

The ideal candidate will have 5–8 years in records or risk governance, strong analytical skills and proficiency with Power BI to support dashboards and governance packs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or advanced diploma in business, commerce, management or related field.
• 5-8 years of experience in Records Management, Risk Management, Governance, Compliance, Data Governance or Reporting.
• Experience with BRIAR, EUDA, Records Retention or Destruction processes is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and monitor BRIAR activities, ensuring reviews are completed and actions tracked to closure.
• Support EUDA reviews by ensuring inventories, assessments, approvals and remediation actions are complete.
• Drive records retention compliance with approved retention requirements.
• Support records destruction activities, including validation, sign-off and reporting.
• Prepare management reports, dashboards and governance packs on records and risk.
• Track audit findings, risk actions and remediation commitments for timely closure.

Skills

Governance and Risk

Data Management

Reporting

Stakeholder Engagement

Power BI

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Business/Commerce/Management

Tools

BRIAR

EUDA

Power BI

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

The Records, Risk and Reporting Lead Specialist will be responsible for supporting the effective management of Records Governance, Data Risk controls, reporting obligations and regulatory readiness across the business. The role will focus on BRIAR, EUDA, Records Retention, Records Destruction, Evidence Management, Risk Monitoring, Control Execution and Stakeholder Engagement to ensure the business remains compliant, audit-ready and operationally effective.

Key Focus Areas

• BRIAR oversight, coordination and evidence tracking.
• EUDA governance, review coordination and control monitoring.
• Records retention implementation and compliance.
• Records destruction planning, tracking and execution support.
• Data and Records risk reporting.
• Issue, action and remediation tracking.
• Governance forum preparation and reporting packs.
• Audit, risk and regulatory evidence management.
• Stakeholder engagement across business, risk, compliance, technology and operations.
• Continuous improvement of records, risk and reporting processes.

Key Accountabilities

• 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.

Operational Effectiveness

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.

Good Governance

Promote adherence to Data Management, Records Management, Risk and compliance standards. Ensure appropriate governance is applied to EUDA, BRIAR, retention and destruction processes. Maintain clear audit trails for reviews, approvals, evidence and decisions. Support readiness for internal audit, risk reviews and regulatory oversight. Escalate overdue actions, control gaps and non-compliance through the correct governance channels. Contribute to a strong control environment by embedding accountability and evidence-based reporting.

Stakeholder Management

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.

Qualifications and Education

Relevant diploma or degree Additional certification in Records Management, Risk Management, Data Governance, Compliance, Audit or Information Governance would be advantageous. Field of Study Preferred fields include: Records and Information Management Data Management or Data Governance Risk Management Compliance or Governance Business Administration Information Systems Auditing or Internal Controls. Work Experience 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.

Competencies

• 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 elevate appropriately.
• Good problem‑solving and process improvement mindset.
• High level of accountability, discipline and professionalism.
• Experience with Power BI would be advantageous.

Education

Bachelor`s Degrees and Advanced Diplomas: Business, Commerce and Management Studies.

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.