Business Performance and Analytics Manager at Absa Bank Limited

Job Description

Business performance and analytics Manager

Overall Job Purpose:

• To provide specialist advise and support in the preparation, development, and analysis of financial data to provide accurate information to inform decisions enhancing growth & profitability, through the execution of predefined objectives.
• To provide specialist advise and support in the generation and provision of reliable business intelligence to support key deliverables and informed decision making, through the execution of predefined objectives as per agreed objectives
• To provide specialist advice and support in the development and implementation of business planning and associated service delivery processes, methods, and techniques, enabling the provision of sound planning/forecasting services.
• This role requires strong organizational, communication and analytical skills, advanced knowledge of data analytical tools including, Excel, SQL, Power BI, Tableau etc.

Key Accountabilities:

Management information Production – 40%

• Source information from different data warehouses, data marts, ERPs, manual systems, and on-line systems based on knowledge of appropriate data sources given the business requirement
• Collect and package data into usable and user-friendly management information for the relevant teams and stakeholders in the business
• Develop new reports, report formats and standards based on identified user requirements for the business, using multiple technologies
• Analyze derived information to create value add understanding of insights and opportunities presented by the data set
• Prepare customized reports based on identified requirements from the business at large
• Develop regular performance reports particularly related to needs of the business to aid performance measurement and management.
• Continuously identify opportunities to automate reports and to eliminate duplicate and manual report production
• Check different types of information for accuracy and inconsistency 
• Prepare financial and performance reports, both management and ad hoc, by coordinating the execution of the day to day and general accounting functions to enable decision making. 
• Present monthly reports by ensuring the completeness, accuracy, and relevance of the information to be presented to enable business to make informed decisions. 
• To provide support and analysis on a range of technical issues in connection with the Financial and Management Accounts e.g., variance/trend analysis (actuals v budget) makeup of specific costs etc.

Provide value-add insight -20%

• Develop a thorough understanding of the key business challenges through engagement with all stakeholders in the business
• Identify opportunities through which analytics can assist in addressing these challenges, present these to relevant stakeholders and implement
• Identify business opportunities in support of the business initiatives through analysis of the business management information and management information that may reside outside the business.
• Assist stakeholders in developing business cases for new products by providing relevant information to support identified business opportunities. Ensure that the management information input in business cases is credible by ensuring accuracy of the data used
• Propose approaches to the business on monitoring measures or key performance indicators (KPIs) associated with the business case and business model and ensure creditability of data received to support the measures or KPIs
• Analyze trends within the business data to reduce risks, optimize performance of the business and inform People Function decisions.

Business partnering – 15%

• Build effective working relationships with business stakeholders to develop a detailed understanding of their business imperatives and objectives.
• Maintain an interactive process with stakeholders as the analytical solution is being developed - present and receive feedback on work-in-progress.
• Perform a consultancy role with business stakeholders. Present the final analytical outputs to stakeholders and assist in interpreting the results and providing advice & recommendations on the implementation of actions.
• Educate users where required on the design or how to utilize the solution.
• Engage with the business teams on an ongoing basis to understand management information needs and sensitize them to any relevant existing reports or management information outputs that will result in value-add opportunities in their respective areas
• Provide strong support to the operational team by having regular meetings with to share financial performance.
• Provide advice and support to management on financial risks that might have an impact on profitability by discussing at regular intervals all financial related matters
• Conduct impact analysis of any proposed changes that will impact on management information reporting
• Actively engage and participate in new initiatives within the business to ensure that the management information component is addressed
• Engage with other key stakeholders within the Group to ensure that the business leverages off what is available and are aware of initiatives in the group that may impact on the business

Planning and Strategy – 15%

• To support the business in it MTP/STP processes.
• Prepare and discuss the short-term plan (STP), medium term plan (MTP) and rolling forecast (RAF) and budgets with the relevant stakeholders to enable consolidation into finance forecast and budget. 
• Work with the team to consolidate the financial plans generated by MTP, STP and RAF and sense check the consolidations prior to recommending approval by the Heads of Business
• Apply relevant research methodologies, tools, and techniques to gather information effectively and purposefully.
• Support projects by developing the financial component of the business case that is created by the management team to actively track and change benefits and costs of the project. 
• To help produce the financial business case for all investment projects undertaken by your business and to monitor benefits by gathering data and calculating costs, benefits and returns.
• Apply relevant research methodologies, tools, and techniques to gather information effectively and purposefully.
• Conduct and facilitate strategic and market analytics to drive out customer insights on a micro segment level
• Extract key intelligence to present to the Management monthly to support their strategy definition and tactical change decision making.
• Investigate and embark on a continuous market scanning to identify and stay abreast of market trends and activities to inform opportunities for new or enhanced products and services

Governance and control - 5%

• Conduct integrity checks on all extracted data to ensure correct data is incorporated into reports
• Ensure the accuracy of data within the business and ensure consistent use of data
• Escalate data integrity issues to relevant Manager / Data Management ensure that these receive priority to maintain a high-level of data integrity.
• Check all existing and new reports for accuracy and data integrity
• Maintain appropriate internal controls in line with Absa group policy by regularly reviewing all variance reports and other reports where applicable. 
• Interact with the Internal and External Audit team and provide necessary information as and when required 
• Ensure cost center managers comply with all regulations and policies when reflecting the financial position of the business
• Communicate financial policies, procedures, standards and guidelines to the Senior Business Manager and Group Finance Management Team. 

Continuous self-development and growth - 5%

• Stay abreast of knowledge and skills relevant to the level and area of work, as well as actively seeking to attain those required for the next level of work with particular focus on best practices
• Continuously enhance the business expertise by analyzing its drivers, key indicators, relationships, and trends.
• Consider all influencing events, quantify the impact on the business and pro-actively find solutions
• Develop a thorough knowledge of various systems and related reporting including ability to build / adjust reports within Workday.

Technical skills / Competencies

• Attitude:  Willingness to learn, positive “can do” approach and strong work ethic showing willingness to support team members in managing peaks and troughs in workload
• Interpersonal Skills:  Open, collaborative approach to teamwork and ability to build network / relationships within the business.  Should have confidence to communicate findings (including bad news) to stakeholders
• Communication:  Strong written and verbal communication skills.  Ability to communicate complex financial analysis to non-financial stakeholders
• Technical Confidence:  Data base queries (including Excel, SQL, Power BI etc.) are central to the role as is quantitative analysis.  Much of this can be taught but basic proficiency and experience is vital
• Flexibility:  Ability to work across different teams and to pick up new skills quickly

Experience and Qualifications

• Finance and IT related qualification added advantage.
• Experience of working in a financially focused role.
• Experience of providing financial support and advising and influencing business management.
• Excellent analytical skills to enable financial and operational analysis and interpretation.
• Ability to assimilate, interpret and communicate complex financial analysis to non-financial people.

Knowledge, Expertise & Experience

• Detailed knowledge of financial modeling using advanced Excel functionality.
• Knowledge and skills on power point presentations
• An ability to acquire skills quickly to interrogate systems, e.g., Flex, Databases such as EMDW, Tableau
• Good communication skills, particularly the ability to analyze and summarize large amounts of data and present in a concise and readily understood format. 
• Good understanding of business strategic objectives and the value drivers of business products and markets.
• Good understanding of key banking account lines and drivers (interest income, interest expense, impairment, etc.)

Education

• Higher Diplomas: Business, Commerce and Management Studies (Required)