Managing Executive – Business Bank African Regions Commercial Coverage at Absa Bank Limited

Empowering Africa’s tomorrow, together…one story at a time.

Job Summary

The Managing Executive: Business Bank Africa Regions Commercial Coverage is accountable for driving profitable growth, market expansion and franchise strength across Business Banking clients operating within designated African markets.
The role leads the end-to-end client coverage strategy, ensuring differentiated relationship management, optimal risk-adjusted returns and deepened client engagement across priority sectors. The incumbent plays a critical role in executing the Group’s Africa growth strategy, strengthening cross-border banking capabilities and positioning the Business Bank as a trusted financial partner for commercial segmented clients operating across African geographies.
This role combines strategic leadership, commercial acumen and strong people leadership, with accountability for balance sheet growth, client experience, credit quality and regulatory compliance across multiple jurisdictions.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Execution

• Define and execute the Business Bank Client Coverage strategy for Africa regions in alignment with Group and South African Business Banking priorities.
• Translate Africa growth ambitions into actionable client, sector and geographic strategies.
• Identify and pursue cross-border business opportunities, leveraging regional platforms and partnerships.
• Contribute to enterprise-wide strategy discussions, particularly relating to Africa expansion, digitisation and client-led growth.

Client Coverage and Relationship Management

• Oversee the segmented client coverage model for Business Banking clients, ensuring appropriate service levels and relationship ownership.
• Drive wallet share growth, market expansion and long-term relationship deepening across priority sectors.
• Ensure proactive, needs-based solutioning across lending, transactional banking, trade finance, FX and digital platforms.
• Act as senior sponsor for strategic and complex client relationships across Africa regions.

Financial Performance & Balance Sheet Management

• Deliver sustainable revenue growth, margin optimisation and cost discipline across the portfolio.
• Accountable for lending growth, liquidity mobilisation and non-interest revenue expansion.
• Ensure effective pricing discipline and return-on-capital optimisation across markets.
• Monitor and manage portfolio performance against agreed financial, risk and capital metrics.

Credit, Risk & Governance

• Ensure robust credit governance, risk appetite adherence and portfolio health across all Africa regions.
• Provide executive oversight of complex credit exposures and high-risk transactions.
• Ensure compliance with South African and in-country regulatory requirements, including AML, KYC and conduct standards.
• Embed a strong risk culture aligned to Group Risk Management frameworks.

People Leadership & Capability Building

• Lead and develop a team of senior executives, regional heads and client coverage leaders across Africa regions.
• Build a high-performance, values-driven culture with strong succession planning and talent pipelines.
• Drive capability development in relationship management, credit skills, sector expertise and cross-border banking.
• Champion diversity, inclusion and ethical leadership across teams.

Stakeholder & Partner Management

• Collaborate closely with Group functions (Risk, Finance, Operations, Compliance, Digital, Treasury).
• Engage with regulators, industry bodies, development finance institutions and strategic partners across Africa.
• Represent the Business Bank at executive, regional and external forums.

Key Competencies

• Strategic and Commercial: Proven ability to translate strategy into execution at scale across multiple geographies.
• Leadership: Ability to lead through complexity and ambiguity with high levels of integrity, accountability and resilience.
• Client-Centric Mindset: Deep understanding of client needs, value drivers and relationship management in corporate and investment banking.
• Commercial Acumen: Strong track record of delivering growth through sales enablement, CVPs and portfolio optimisation.
• Global Perspective: Ability to manage complex, multi-market client coverage strategies with an understanding of cross-border dynamics.
• Influence & Collaboration: Exceptional stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence across functions, geographies and executive levels.
• Technical Acumen: Strong knowledge of credit, risk management and regulatory frameworks, working across multiple African jurisdictions.
• Innovation & Agility: Capacity to lead high-level special projects, adapt to emerging trends and position the bank competitively.

Qualifications & Experience

• Postgraduate qualification in Commerce, Finance, Economics or Business Leadership (MBA preferred).
• Minimum 15 years’ experience in Business Banking, Corporate Banking or Africa-focused financial services.
• Proven experience at executive or senior leadership level managing large client portfolios and teams.
• Demonstrated track record of leading multi-country or regional banking operations.

Education

Master's Degree: Finance, Postgraduate Degrees and Professional Qualifications: Business, Commerce and Management Studies

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