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.
Job Summary
The role supports Business Banking (BB) as a First Line of Defence by owning and embedding effective Operational and Resilience Risk management across the business. The incumbent will enable informed decision‑making through high‑quality risk reporting, analytics, and governance, while ensuring compliance with enterprise frameworks, regulatory requirements, and industry best practice.Job Description
Job Description:
The role forms part of the Business Banking (BB) Governance, Resilience and Risk Enablement team and is embedded within the business, working in close partnership with Group Operational Risk and other Second Line of Defence functions. The incumbent is accountable for shaping and executing the Operational and Resilience Risk strategy for Business Banking portfolios, providing independent oversight in line with the Operational and Resilience Risk Management Framework (ORRMF) and the Enterprise Risk Management Framework (ERMF). Reporting directly to the BB Head of Governance, Resilience and Risk Enablement, the role supports delivery of the BB Controls Office strategy and ensures effective risk enablement across the business. Operating in a fast‑evolving, innovation‑driven environment, the role balances robust operational risk management practices with pragmatic, forward‑looking solutions that enable business growth while protecting clients and the organisation.
To elevate the impact of Operational and Resilience Risk within BB, the incumbent will be accountable for the delivery of:
Risk measurement, monitoring, assessment, and analytics of the portfolio.
Enable management to monitor the effectiveness of the control environment and act towards mitigation of operational risk where required.
Supporting BB business units by providing independent and objective end-to-end Operational Risk oversight in line with the Enterprise Risk Management Framework (ERMF) and ORRMF, together with its various supporting policies and standards.
Overseeing the aggregation, implementation, monitoring and maintaining of core risk management processes across business units within BB.
Supporting an effective risk culture, where there is an open, proactive, and constructive dialogue relating to Operational Risk.
Reporting, including portfolio and Business Unit (BU) insights and ensuring capability directed appropriately in support of internal and external reporting requirements.
Accountability: Operational Risk Framework and Policy Oversight & ownership (at BU level)
Provide clear direction to Business Banking business units on the role, mandate, strategic plan, and key focus areas of Operational and Resilience Risk.
Deliver coaching, guidance, and training to support effective implementation and ongoing maintenance of Operational and Resilience Risk framework components, including RCSA, risk indicators, risk events and issues management, strategic risk assessments, and key risk assessments.
Assess and challenge business unit compliance with applicable Operational and Resilience Risk frameworks, policies, standards, and procedures.
Maintain current and in‑depth knowledge of Operational and Resilience Risk frameworks, supporting policies, standards, and relevant legislative and regulatory requirements.
Drive the development of analytics capabilities across all framework elements to enable proactive risk identification, analysis, and insight‑driven decision‑making.
Manage and coordinate Operational Risk scenario analysis and capital processes for Business Banking in collaboration with Group Operational Risk.
Act as the Business Banking subject matter expert for all elements of the Operational and Resilience Risk framework, including ownership of related initiatives and specialist support.
Ensure effective use of approved risk management systems and tools, with a strong focus on data accuracy, completeness, quality, and timeliness.
Accountability: Strategy Development & Formulation
Provide input into the strategy for managing operational risk across BB
Set and monitor the execution of the Operational Risk strategy across BB, leveraging off 1st line Governance and Control resources in each business area for execution.
Provide thought leadership and drive consistency in the second line approach to Operational risk across BB.
Ensure that each business area has measures in place to monitor and manage all of the ORRMF sub risk type profiles.
Drive the development and implementation of standards, where applicable.
Risk appetite setting, in conjunction with Group and second line risk counterparts and drive the cascade into BB. Monitoring adherence against Risk appetite statements (RAS) and/or tolerance levels, with the use of appropriate key risk indicators
Drive the embedment of the Group ORRMF, promoting the integration of operational risk considerations, into all risk reward decisions and general business management.
Actively play a senior advisory role in the Management Committees of the product/service areas within BB, ensuring adherence to good corporate governance requirements.
Accountability: Operational and Resilience Risk Management Planning
Assess, implement and monitor the current and forward-looking exposure (financial and non-financial) to Operational Risk (i.e., considering all framework elements, strategic planning, business expansions/ contractions and other major change programmes, including new product approval).
Act in an advisory and coordinator capacity to support the scoping and definition of related Operational and Resilience Risk deliverables and plans, ensuring that these are aligned to the Group Operational and Resilience Risk calendar.
Drafting of Cluster specific standards and influence and collaboration across the entire value chain, from conception to implementation of these standards.
Assist in ensuring Business readiness for assurance reviews and deep dives and play an active role in the discussion of issues to be reported from assurance reviews, ensuring that issues are valid and factually accurate, and actions are well defined and timed appropriately.
Accountability: Operational and Resilience Risk Evaluation
Assess the relevance and performance of the Operational and Resilience Risk indicators and thresholds.
Review the key risk assessments related to the BB business units for completeness, with appropriate challenge.
Check and challenge the end-to-end Operational Risk profile of the BB business units, including emerging risks, to ensure that the organisation stays abreast of changes and it is safeguarded.
Consider all framework elements, strategic planning, business expansions/contractions and other major change programmes / new product approval.
Partner with the second line of defence to ensure issue/action documentation, tracking, escalation and remediation is conducted appropriately.
Coordination of the first line of defence approach and responsibilities pertaining to end-to-end fraud risk management across BB, working with the Group ORR and Fraud Strategy teams.
Manage and coordinate BB cluster Combined Assurance program.
Drive and oversee deep dive- and lessons learnt exercises for material risks, including the review, challenge and tracking/escalation of findings.
Review major remediation plans for adequacy, completeness and progress
Oversee monthly loss event reconciliations and related attestations to ensure that all (above threshold) risk events and losses have been captured on the Operational Risk system.
Leverage internal central engagement channels/resources, as appropriate.
Oversee the effective oversight and management of all sub risk types within the ORRMF.
Assess the key risk framework for appropriateness.
Assess the relevance and performance of key risk indicators and thresholds.
Review and challenge the overall key risk assessments.
Provide input to the Group Policy and Standards; and Contribute to the Operational Risk Committees and forums
Accountability: Operational Risk Governance and Reporting
Consolidate, validate, and compile accurate and complete risk information into relevant management reports to support risk‑informed business decision‑making.
Analyse and interpret Operational and Resilience Risk data to provide meaningful insights to senior management on the current and emerging risk profile.
Ensure appropriate risk reporting and escalation through relevant Business Unit governance forums in line with agreed governance structures.
Prepare and maintain current and forward‑looking Operational and Resilience Risk profile reporting for Business Banking business units, as agreed with stakeholders.
Own the accuracy, completeness, and quality of first line risk profile reporting, ensuring consistency with approved frameworks and methodologies.
Compile and coordinate reporting to senior management forums and Regulators on behalf of Business Banking, where required, ensuring compliance with Cluster and Group reporting standards, including BCBS 239 principles.
Represent Business Banking in internal reporting forums across the Bank and engage with external parties, including assurance providers and Regulators, as required.
Ensure Operational and Resilience Risk governance requirements are effectively implemented and adhered to within the first line of defence.
Ensure appropriate risk governance is applied to third‑party and vendor relationships supporting Business Banking, including risk identification, monitoring, and escalation.
Own and manage first line risk governance processes and controls within Business Banking, ensuring alignment to enterprise frameworks and policies.
Leverage external tools, industry bodies, and data sources to identify and monitor emerging risks and threats, including horizon scanning and participation in industry forums (e.g. ORX), in collaboration with Group Operational Risk where appropriate.
Create, maintain, and continuously update a central Business Banking Risk communication portal, ensuring risk‑related guidance, frameworks, and knowledge content remain current and accessible.
Accountability: People and Organisation
Direct resources in the most effective and efficient manner to execute the BB ORR strategy, including, but not limited to:
Support the designed and embedded operating model for the BB Governance, Resilience and Risk Enablement team, in the execution of the ORRMF mandate.
Enabling delivery of a supporting Risk Culture to deliver performance consistent with the Group’s Purpose and Values.
Defining personal scorecard objectives and measures for employees that align to the Function’s Plan and Absa Balanced Scorecards.
Directing performance objectives and remuneration structures for the team designed to achieve a balance between risk, individual reward, and the long-term objectives of the Group.
Input to, coordination and support of the performance management process of employees.
Participation in the talent development and succession plans.
Accountability: Behavioural Competencies
Personal accountability.
Independent in practice and in thought.
Engaged with a visible level of presence.
Drive the right risk culture in the business.
Appropriate level of curiosity.
Confident to responsibly challenge, even if based on gut feel and not on data or facts.
Ability to manage conflicts.
Influential.
Crisp and clear communicator, veBBally and in writing.
See the big picture, however, can get into the detail where necessary.
Focused without adopting a silo mentality.
Education and Experience (Required)
B Degree in Commerce, Risk Management or other risk focused subject matter.
Post Graduate Qualification in Risk Management (advantageous)
Relevant Subject matter certifications and/ or professional body membership advantageous.
Minimum 6 yrs. Operational Risk Management experience.
Retail or Business Banking or equivalent experience essential.
Change management experience essential, especially new and amended product and service approval governance processes.
Exposure to Operational Risk Governance and Operational Risk and Control Committees.
Experience with Risk Framework elements especially Operational Risk management.
Experience in dealing with multiple senior stakeholders.
Experience in managing team/s
Competencies
Structured problem-solver
Innovative way of solving problems
Creative thinking
Future thinking
Open minded
Resilient
Adhering to principles and values
Relating and networking
Persuading and influencing
Presenting and communicating
Applying expertise and technology
High levels of agility to adapt and respond to change
Knowledge and Skills
Knowledge of Banking Legislation
Knowledge of the risk environment and Operational Risk management
Knowledge of risk regulation and industry standards
Knowledge on Basel’s Principles for the Sound Management of Operational Risk
Education
Bachelor`s Degrees and Advanced Diplomas: Business, Commerce and Management Studies (Required)Absa Bank Limited is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. In compliance with the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998, preference will be given to suitable candidates from designated groups whose appointments will contribute towards achievement of equitable demographic representation of our workforce profile and add to the diversity of the Bank.
Absa Bank Limited reserves the right not to make an appointment to the post as advertised
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.
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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.
