SME Portfolio Manager at Absa Bank Limited

Job Summary

• To plan, manage and monitor the implementation of credit control management activities and processes in order to deliver on approved operational plans in an effective and efficient manner.

Job Purpose

• Reporting to the Head of Business Banking sanctioning, the role holder will be required to collaborate in shaping SME risk appetite and Target Market Criteria (TMC) to build a profitable and sustainable business
• Review, recommend and build SME fit-for-purpose risk processes across the end-to-end lifecycle (multi-year outlook).
• Assess current capability against ambition and build a plan to close the gap with clear annual deliverables.
• Implement risk policy, account management and collections and impairments processes (Proactive and not reactive)

Key Accountabilities

Accountability:  Credit Risk Management   Time Split 70%

• Accountability for the strategy and quality of the SME lending book, including all aspects of lending.
• In collaboration with the business counterparts, develop, implement, and maintain SME credit risk strategies
• Ensure the highest standards of credit quality through the sanctioning, sampling, and application of best practice to credit proposals, and maintenance of these standards throughout the SME credit teams.
• Input on review of the scorecard cards and monitoring the scorecard cards to ensure effective and efficient delivery of the intended purpose and result
• Guide and support SME key stakeholders on all matters relating to credit risk within SME with special focus on secured and unsecured book.
• Review and Implementation of credit policy and processes.  Feed into business and credit policy development.
• Ensure timely and effective monitoring and control of the SME lending book. Review and challenge information and performance.
• Managing, review and challenge change to ensure that the anticipated benefits are not only met but maximized.
• Ensure adherence to Lending discretions with appropriate delegation to the SME Credit and Credit Operations/ RCU Team.
• Exercise personal judgment and discretion in the evaluation and approval/decline of credit proposals.
• Responsibility for personal & team adherence to governance, compliance, and lending portfolio controls. Ensuring audit outcomes are satisfactory backed by conformance to policy and procedures including proactive management of agreed responsibilities for Data Integrity.
• Handling Policy Dispensations
• Maintain interactive relationship with relevant ARO/Group Risk/Business/Operations/Conformance Teams.
• Challenge pricing and profitability models in order to maximize value. Ultimate sign off at customer level remains with Business.
• Design, implement and maintain generic strategies for appropriate remedial action on poorly performing accounts in the portfolio

Accountability:  Team Management Time Split 30%

• Promote teamwork in delivering performance by designing performance measurement processes that recognizes performance both at individual and team levels
• Coaching team members on how individual and team PD financial targets are measured proactively reflecting on their feedback to win buy-in for effective and efficient PD review and process improvement.

Preferred Qualification

• A numeric degree (math, statistics, economics, operations research) or master’s degree, A business ARO background is an added advantage.
• Proven experience in performing data analysis utilizing a standard statistical package

Preferred Experience

• High level of PC literacy, ideally with programming experience
• Practical experience of using analytics to solve complex business problems.
•  Able to present complex analytical concepts to all levels of the business.
• Communication (both verbal and written)
• Creative thinking and ability to explore new ideas / opportunities and develop innovative approaches.

Knowledge and skills

• Working knowledge of Group policies and strategies relative to the credit function
• Product knowledge
• Detailed understanding / fit of the vision for Risk
• Detailed understanding of the Bank’s policies on Employment/Redeployment, Equal Opportunities and Health & Safety
• Working knowledge of local country structure and strategy
• Leadership and performance development of a team
• Managing risk and reward

Behavioral competencies

• Leadership
• People management and coaching
• Communications (written and oral) and presentations
• Effective negotiation and influencing

Technical competencies

• Risk Management
• Business Management
• Strong Lending skills
• Analytical