Managing Director/CEO at Absa Bank Limited

Job Description

As a member of the ARO Executive Leadership team, reporting to the Absa Kenya Board and the Chief Executive ARO, the role is responsible for the financial performance profit and loss Absa Bank Kenya and any of its subsidiaries.

• In line with a Product-led organisation, accountable for and growing the overall Absa franchise through ensuring the development, execution and Board approval of relevant product strategies whilst protecting and enhancing the franchise’s profile and reputation with all internal and external stakeholders
• Responsible for the strategy conceptualisation and implementation of Absa Bank Kenya whilst ensuring critical alignment to the Absa Group overarching as well as any product specific strategies (Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB), Retail and Business Banking and Absa Financial Services (AFS) in South Africa.
• Ensure appropriate governance, management and leadership duties are executed in accordance to both Country and Group regulatory requirements as well as Absa Group established policies.
• Ensure the Absa Kenya Franchise is adhering and operating within regulatory and good governance frameworks
• Manage Absa Kenya country’s performance and strategic delivery with ongoing reviews (both operational and financial), to ensure full management interlock of strategy execution with the Absa Kenya Board and Absa Executive Management through integrated plans with Business Lines and the Centre.
• Maintain an efficient engagement model with all stakeholders; develops networks and influences key decisions in Country.
• Maintain stakeholder relationships with regulators, governors, ministers, in country law makers, in country boards of directors and in country business executives.
• Enable, facilitate, and leverage Absa Group Support for Absa Kenya as identified and required.
• Ensure clear talent management and succession planning is in place for Executive Leadership along a robust people plan.
• Drive country and individual performance with input from various stakeholders.
• Ensuring a single point of contact for regulators within the country, whilst facilitating and coordinating cross-cluster working across all Product and Functional areas

Represent the overall franchise with:

Key external stakeholders, including Regulators, Government, Shareholders, business leadership, investor community, media, and other relevant organisations o Key internal stakeholders, including all Product (i.e. CIB and RBB) and Functional areas, unions or other employee relations forums, Absa senior management, governance committees, and Boards

• Provide the Board with timely, relevant, and complete reports on the implementation of business strategy
• Provide a primary point-of-contact for regulatory external stakeholders (Government, Central Banks, Regulators, investors, etc.) and the media
• Lead and influence on behalf of the franchise, local political, legal and regulatory bodies in order to protect and enhance the Absa brands
• Manage regulatory and compliance issues and manage appropriate relationships to ensure business is concluded in accordance with local/regulation and Absa governance standards
• Lead an effective Leadership Team capable of delivering the strategy and achieving the financial goals
• In partnership with Product and Functional leads, ensure effective selection, development, deployment, and retention of world-class talent throughout the franchise
• Provide clear direction and effective communication on strategic goals, translating and prioritizing them into business and performance measures
• Drive the creation of a high-performance environment across the franchise – raise the performance bar of team
• Lead and champion the Employee Engagement, Citizenship, D&I and other Group or Africa-wide agendas across the franchise
• Drive the development of the franchise’s organisation and execution capabilities to ensure attainment of short- and long-term stretch goals
• Champion change and ensure that it delivers the envisaged business benefits whilst minimizing any negative aspects upon customers, staff and the business
• Pursue own development to increase personal effectiveness

Maintain a positive and ethical work climate that is conducive to attracting and motivating a diverse group of top-quality employees at all levels.

• Through leadership engagements ensure an organisational culture that promotes diversity, encourages individual integrity, fairness, customer service excellence and quality work.
• Ensure that all levels of employees in the organisation understand the business objectives in terms of social responsibility and environmental sustainability.
• Accountable for the talent management agenda for Absa Bank Kenya

As a member of the ARO Executive Team, provide input in the development of the Group’s strategy and integrated plan.

• Accountable for strategic choices on local growth levers and associated resource allocation including capital.
• Ensuring the development and appropriate interlock of Absa Kenya Business Strategy, its business plans and budgets to support the execution of the approved strategy.
• Ensures the execution of all strategic are fully supported by the business operating model and technology.
• Ensures and evaluate the performance of the all the businesses and amend responsive plans in accordance to ensure business performance
• Accountable for the financial management and reporting of Absa Bank Kenya in alignment with Country and Group Requirements (accounting; credit control; cash flow; investment management; tax; insurance; treasury; internal audit; budgeting and forecasting).
• Responsible for market intelligence and competitive land scape of Absa Bank Kenya.
• Deal timeously with issues and opportunities arising from internal and external environmental changes and stakeholder requirements.

In partnership with Product and Functional leads, deliver the required financial performance across all parts of the franchise

• Manage and optimize the country balance sheet ensuring both quality and efficiency
• Using external networks and in partnership with Product areas, drive business introduction/origination and development
• Facilitate cross-cluster working with all parts of the Group providing effective coordination and prioritization of cross-country issues
• Manage and drive performance of the franchise leadership team (“CMC”) against key financial, Version 1.0 3 sales, customer service and operational targets
• Attract, deepen and retain Customers across all chosen segments
• Ensure that the franchise is effectively positioned in the external market through all relevant media channels

Chair/participate in local governance and control committees

• Determine the enterprise risk profile and make recommendations on the appropriate risk appetite given regulatory and governance requirements. Ensure that all business units in country have measures in place to monitor and manage their respective risk profiles.
• Implement effective Group governance and controls ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements
• Represent Absa at the regulatory college. Act as the point of escalation for stakeholders for matters involving Absa Bank Kenya.
• Fulfil the respective governance duties and responsibilities for Absa Bank Kenya.
• Lead engagements with key internal and external stakeholders, i.e. governments, regulators, media and analysts.
• Foster good relationships with the local government and ensure compliance with regulatory and the country’s laws.
• Define the Government and community engagement requirements and plan for the operation, in line with Absa Bank Kenya strategies and priorities.
• Lead and promote corporate social responsibility and be a strong player in the local market in this regard.
• Effectively manage reputational risks and enhance Absa reputation in the community
• Ensure that all activities and duties are carried out in full compliance with regulatory requirements, Enterprise-wide Risk Management Framework and internal Absa Policies and Policy Standards. Understand and manage risks and risk events (incidents) relevant to the role

Education

• Bachelor's Degree: Banking