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
We are seeking an experienced Card Transformation Lead to drive large-scale card, payments, banking andfintech transformation. The successful candidate will lead business and technology change programmes,
including enterprise platform implementation, digital capability build-out and platform modernisation within a
highly regulated financial services environment.
The role requires a strategic leader who can translate business objectives into an executable roadmap, align
senior stakeholders, manage delivery risk and ensure transformation outcomes support customer
experience, scalability, integration, commercial value and sustainable growth.
Job Description
Key responsibilities Strategic leadership
Provide strategic thought leadership to shape and execute business-led transformation across the card and digital payments value chain.
Ensure an understanding of card and digital payment processes and practices to drive strategic vision and alignment across the value chain • Define and manage the programme vision, strategy and roadmap, translating them into clear delivery plans, objectives, budgets, timelines and measurable outcomes. Programme delivery and business outcomes
Lead the design and execution of the Card Modernisation transformation programme.
Ensure business value, customer experience, scalability, integration and commercial objectives are clearly defined, validated and achieved.
Drive outcomes that support investment, improve customer experience and contribute to sustainable growth for the card division. Stakeholder, vendor and commercial management
Build alignment and consensus across internal and external stakeholders.
Support commercial negotiations and contracting activities where required.
Hold vendors accountable for agreed delivery commitments, performance measures, timelines, budgets and contractual obligations. Change and transformation management
Promote a transformation mindset and support operational transition into business-as-usual structures for card and digital capabilities.
Required experience and qualifications Essential
Proven delivery of complex business and technology modernisation initiatives, including multi-million rand strategic programmes.
Strong background in card issuing, acquiring, payments and/or digital banking.
Experience leading programmes with multiple internal and external stakeholders across business, technology, risk, governance and vendor teams.
Strong understanding of governance, risk, regulatory and control requirements within financial services.
Knowledge of SAFe Agile methodology, agile delivery practices and product-led operating models. Minimum of 5 years’ experience leading large-scale banking, card, payments or fintech transformation programmes.
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant qualification.
Experience in digital bank start-ups, fintech partnerships, core banking transformation, enterprise technology platforms or platform modernisation programmes.
Experience operating in high-growth or scaling environments, including transitioning solutions from proof of value to enterprise-scale deployment.
Scheme experience with Visa and/or Mastercard. Candidate profile
Strategic, commercially minded and outcome-focused.
Able to simplify complexity and communicate clearly across executive, business, technology and vendor stakeholders.
Comfortable working in regulated environments with strong governance, risk and delivery discipline. Collaborative leader with the ability to influence, align and mobilise cross-functional teams.
Why this role matters This role offers the opportunity to shape the future of card and digital banking through strategic transformation, technology-led innovation and measurable customer and commercial outcomes.
Education
Bachelor`s Degrees and Advanced Diplomas: Business, Commerce and Management Studies (Required)Skills Required
- Proven delivery of complex business and technology modernization initiatives, including multi-million rand strategic programmes
- Strong background in card issuing, acquiring, payments, and/or digital banking
- Experience leading programmes involving business, technology, risk, governance and vendor stakeholders
- Strong understanding of governance, risk, regulatory and control requirements within financial services
- Knowledge of SAFe Agile methodology, agile delivery practices and product-led operating models
- At least 5 years of experience leading large-scale banking, card, payments or fintech transformation programmes
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant qualification
- Experience with digital bank start-ups, fintech partnerships, core banking transformation, enterprise technology platforms or platform modernization programmes
- Experience scaling solutions from proof of value to enterprise-wide deployment
- Experience with Visa and/or Mastercard schemes
- Bachelor’s degree or advanced diploma in Business, Commerce and Management Studies
Absa Group Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Absa Group and has not been reviewed or approved by Absa Group.
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Healthcare Strength — Medical aid, group life, disability, and funeral cover are described as comprehensive, with features such as terminal‑illness advances and beneficiary grocery benefits. Wellness and assistance offerings support overall financial and personal wellbeing.
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Retirement Support — A pension fund and group retirement arrangements are positioned as core benefits within fixed remuneration. Retirement coverage is embedded alongside other protections as part of standard employment.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — Employee share‑ownership (eKhaya) and equity‑linked awards broaden wealth‑sharing, with dividends or cash‑equivalent participation in some markets. This provides longer‑term value beyond base pay.
Absa Group Insights
What We Do
Absa Group Limited (Absa) has forged a new way of getting things done, driven by bravery and passion, with the readiness to realise growth on the African continent and beyond. We’re a truly African brand, inspired by the people we serve in Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. We also have representative offices in China, Namibia, Nigeria and the United States, as well as securities entities in the United Kingdom and the United States, along with technology support colleagues in the Czech Republic.
