International Payments Manager

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Job Summary

To lead the International Payments function by ensuring the delivery of seamless, efficient, and client-centric support to Retail and Corporate Banking units across the full lifecycle of cross-border transactions. The role is responsible for:
• Driving operational excellence by performing fit-for-processing checks within agreed Service Level Agreements (SLAs), whether in-country or external.
• Ensuring adherence to Absa Group’s transaction monitoring standards and regulatory requirements.
• Managing payment-related risks and overseeing transaction tracking to uphold service quality and compliance.
• Guaranteeing that the end-to-end payment process—from instruction capture to reconciliation—is consistently executed with rigour, accuracy, and auditability.
• Acting as a key enabler of business growth through a resilient operational framework that safeguards client experience, operational continuity, and regulatory integrity.

Job Description

Service and Support

• Champion a culture of continuous improvement by identifying and implementing enhancements to processes and systems.
• Lead root cause analysis of Fit-for-Processing (FFP) failures and implement corrective measures to streamline transaction flow.
• Respond to ad hoc internal and external requests, including client queries and Central Bank clarifications
• Manage queries from Correspondent Banks regarding charges and investigations.
• Ensure proactive milestone tracking and compliance with transaction management protocols.
• Monitor and enforce adherence to agreed SLAs and turnaround times across all touchpoints.

Control & Execution: Fit for Processing

• Oversee end-to-end transaction monitoring for all products, ensuring accuracy and compliance with trackers and checklists.
• Review and validate supporting documentation in line with foreign exchange regulations and Absa Group standards.
• Ensure team compliance with AML policies and applicable foreign exchange legislation.
• Prepare and monitor daily/monthly reporting for local management and the Central Bank.
• Oversee access rights management for all relevant systems and ensure appropriate levels of control.
• Identify and escalate system-related issues promptly to mitigate impact on processing.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for technical queries and guidance.
• Foster knowledge-sharing and skills development across the team to promote operational excellence.
• Provide direct client and branch support on payment-related matters and procedural clarifications.

Governance, Risk and Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with regulatory, legal, and internal policy requirements for all international payment transactions.
• Monitor and report on Key Risk Indicators (KRIs), and ensure timely escalation and documentation of risk or loss events.
• Review account reconciliations and month-end activities, particularly Nostro accounts associated with cross-border flows.
• Maintain business continuity and record management frameworks by contributing to regular reviews and documentation updates.
• Deliver accurate and timely MI and KPI reports to both internal stakeholders and regulators.
• Oversee the implementation and maintenance of control frameworks aligned with audit, conformance, and ORM expectations.
• Ensure strict adherence to Anti-Money Laundering (AML), sanctions, and business continuity policies.

Innovation and Change

• Contribute to project implementation and monitoring within the payments function.
• Set and pursue personal development objectives, and promote upskilling within the team.
• Drive the identification and elimination of non-value-adding processes, and advocate for automation opportunities.

Stakeholder management

• Cultivate strong, collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders across functions, countries, and levels.
• Lead and manage the International Payments team, ensuring alignment to HR policies and performance expectations.
• Oversee Workday HR administration for direct reports and ensure team engagement and compliance with bank-wide people practices.

Risk and Controls Objectives

• Proactively manage operational, compliance, and reputational risks by applying the applicable risk frameworks, particularly the Enterprise Risk Management Framework (EMRF), and fostering a culture of accountability and risk awareness within the team.
• Demonstrate a clear understanding of the role's contribution to the broader end-to-end payments process, including associated risks, controls, and escalation protocols.
• Ensure adherence to all relevant Absa policies, procedures, and standards, applying sound judgement and responsible decision-making in risk-sensitive matters.
• Timely report all risk events, incidents, and control breaches through the appropriate channels, participating in root cause analysis and driving the implementation of corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Continuously assess the control environment by anticipating potential failure points, identifying process vulnerabilities, and recommending enhancements to strengthen controls and reduce risk exposure.

Education

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