Credit Training and Coaching Manager at Absa Bank Limited

Job Summary

To develop tactical strategy and delivery plans, formulate associated practice/s and to ensure operational implementation and adoption i.t.o. credit risk management methodology, practice, governance and delivery objectives.

Overall, Job Purpose

• The role is responsible for developing and delivering effective credit training and coaching programs to support SME coverage and Credit teams. The role holder will provide a critical link in the Business and Credit Risk Partnership between the SME business, product, and Credit teams, communicating and influencing at a senior level.

The primary areas of focus are:

• SME and those credits handled by specialist sanctioners - general helpdesk provision/individual coaching/accreditation.
• Supporting the delivery of a robust Credit Risk Accreditation process for SME, Relationship Managers and Credit colleagues.

Key Accountabilities & Time Split

Training support to business teams (80%)

• Deliver and maintain the accreditation process for SME and Credit colleagues agreeing & communicating where individuals meet/do not meet the benchmark for credit skills.
• Interact with colleagues at a Senior Level (primarily Business Banking Head, Head of SME, Head of Wholesale Credit and senior leadership in BB and SME Credit and Credit Risk Director) to determine current and anticipated needs.
• Work closely at a senior level colleague to ensure that Coaching & Support is meeting the needs of the business.  
• Effectively target and deliver credit coaching and support primarily to SME coverage teams (relationship teams and branch network)
• Deliver credit helpdesk support for both unaccredited and accredited SME, Relationship Managers and new Credit Managers, where needs identified.
• Provide feedback to respective leaders on the quality and effectiveness of credit training to proactively drive improvements and track Return on Investment.
• Work in collaboration with the Learning & Development Specialist to contribute towards the design and development of training curriculum to develop knowledge of Credit within SME teams to ensure they can meet their responsibilities.
• Respond to feedback from respective leaders to ensure specific individual training and coaching needs are met.
• Deliver face to face training, with a specific focus on Credit Risk, as appropriate.
• Obtain and provide feeds to and from SME team on the performance of their colleagues on credit related issues. This will be reflected within individuals’ performance development objectives and establish effectiveness of the SME Credit Coaching and Support function.
• Communicate SME Credit best practice via credit briefings and presentations to enable SME Sales and Credit colleagues to address existing and potential customer requirements positively and proactively.
• Support the delivery of service in line with agreed needs of the business.
• Provide feeds into business and credit policy and credit process development, where appropriate.
• Proactively embed agreed change management initiatives in support of process & quality improvements and cost reductions.
• Contribute towards the team operating within cost budgets making recommendations for ‘working smarter’.

Portfolio Management (10%)

• Identify and report warning signs to senior leadership on sectors, which could impact and influence the formulation of risk appetite/loss tolerance and policies/processes. Support with portfolio deep dives on specific cohorts of the SME and wider Business Banking lending portfolio as part of portfolio management

People Activities and Teamwork (10%)

• Deliver exceptional business performance through working as part of a team, which undertakes a wide range of processing and servicing activities.
• Work closely with the team managers to influence consistent achievement of agreed service level standards.
• Provide ways and means of challenging the current ways of working and status quo. Support an empowering climate within the team. Share knowledge, experience, best practice, and provision of constructive feedback as required and when necessary.
• Support and adopt the implementation of change initiatives.

Preferred Qualification

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Business, or a related field
• ACIB/equivalent business experience/other appropriate qualification preferable

Preferred Experience

• At least 8 years’ experience in Corporate/SME Credit Risk Management
• 2+ years of experience in coaching, mentorship, and training

Skills & Competencies

• Comprehensive technical credit skills
• Good business awareness and specific industry awareness
• Detailed knowledge of risk management policy, procedures & pricing
• Working knowledge of policies, pricing, and strategies relative to the credit function
• Working knowledge of products (Trade Finance, Loans, Asset Finance, commercial property financing)
• Working knowledge of Credit/SBUs structures & strategies
• Ability to coach, mentor, train, and embed skills.