Business Manager at Absa Bank Limited

Job Purpose

• Manage the research, preparation & presentation of reports/briefs on business strategy, often complex/in large volumes, from a wide range of internal/external sources both structured and ad hoc.
• Lead in the consolidation and synthesis of various PCF information, outputs, and reports in the delivery of strategic and operational objectives.
• Coordinate with the offices of other Country Management Committee members on the demands of the PC Director office.
• Manage PCF Mancom and team meetings and events with overall responsibility on meeting plan and formulation of Agenda. Own the action plan and ensure conclusive resolution by working with relevant stakeholders.
• Manage the PC Director’s schedule for efficient time utilisation and effective ways of working.
• Exercising achievement towards a high degree of executive social skills dealing with the full range of people and colleagues in many varying situations representing the Director’s image in senior stakeholder engagement.
• Act as Director’s liaison to Absa Group and Africa Regional Operations to organize meetings, visits and business presentations involving the Senior leadership.
• Exercise confidentiality on all matters of the PC Director’s office.

Key Accountabilities

Executive 50%

• Prepare executive briefs and business strategy paper for PC Director.
• Organize and coordinate team functions, leadership conferences, and colleague events managed out of the PC Director office.
• Take time to understand PC Director’s working style & priorities to represent her views effectively. This includes managing the competing priorities and making decisions in their absence on the issues that can be resolved without escalation.
• Undertake research of detailed information on a wide variety of internal/external matters. Jobholder is given only a general brief and must produce detailed reports, summaries etc. deciding on relevant information to be included.
• As Secretary of PCF Mancom, the holder is responsible for the conduct and occurrence of monthly meetings; ensure follow up and conclusive resolution of arising action items thereof.
• Anticipate information requirements with proactive identification of issues to be brought to the attention of the Director, with recommendation for resolution as appropriate during interviews, meetings with key Stakeholders e.g., Transform, CMC Roundtable etc
• Undertake a wide variety of administrative duties, e.g., maintaining budget figures, expenses reports etc.
• Travel and Diary management for the PC Director office, including hotel bookings and transfers.

Strategic Planning 20%

• Provide support to key business areas in gathering information and formulating strategic plans
• Perform ad-hoc strategic and financial analysis of key strategic initiatives.
• Guide and steer execution of the top 100 team’s strategic initiatives.
• Assist PCF Mancom in the preparation of the annual MTP & STP process, completing the strategic planning templates together with them
• Present findings to senior management via written reports, supporting tables, graphics, and appendices
• Present research and new thinking to the PCF team

Controls 10%

• Partnering with the Governance lead, track submission of all control & compliance activities i.e., RAF planning, Monthly return submissions, GL account reconciliation, Corporate Cards reconciliations, Snap checks etc
• Lead in tracking of meetings, actions, engagements with relevant regulatory bodies and industry /sector associations. e.g., KBA, CBK, IHRM etc.
• Roll out, cascade and ensure attestation of new and refreshed Group policies to the office.

Performance Management 10%

• Provide support to other key areas in gathering information and formulating strategic plans
• Act as subject matter expert in supporting management team with analytics that help manage the business effectively. Guide and provide input on the implementation of the resulting plans including linking with appropriate product specialists from Group.

Customer Service 10%

• Act as referral/bridge point for colleague and management contact with the PC Director Office.
• Effectively manage customer complaints coming into the office. Responding to and seeing clients on behalf of the Director and ensuring root cause analysis is concluded before resolution letter is done.
• Maintain a record of all complaints resolved on behalf of the Director (Written and Face to Face customer resolutions).
• Lead in the on-boarding of new PCF members and tracking any support they require.
• Draft communications on behalf of the PC Director for review.

Competencies

• Creative thinking and ability to explore new ideas / opportunities and develop innovative approaches.  Ability to draw out key messages and see patterns to identify future trends.
• High degree of customer focus
• Business Acumen
• Advanced skills in analysing and synthesising data and making preparing presentations
• Good networking and stakeholder management skills
• High tolerance of ambiguity
• Drive for execution and results
• Sufficient business and financial knowledge; and project management
• A keen eye for detail, quality conscious and has a strong sense of responsibility and ownership

Knowledge, Expertise & Experience

Essential

• Working experience in a corporate organization preferably financial sector
• Experience in business development and strategic planning
• Understanding of strategy tools and techniques
• Project management experience
• Building stakeholder and communication plans
• Delivering effective presentation to senior executives
• Questioning and probing capability
• Ability to work under time constraints and stress situations.

Preferred

• Experience of working in a multinational, multi-segment, environment with matrix reporting.
• Awareness of cultural differences and varying legal/regulatory environments