Industry Head - China Desk, Business Banking at Absa Bank Limited

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Job Summary

Manage China Desk under Business Banking
• To manage and sustain a portfolio of Commercial customers, building long term relationships founded on efficient and reliable support for their business. This is achieved particularly through quick risk decisions and managing consistency and quality of operational service.
• The primary objective is to maximize risk-adjusted portfolio contribution.
• The jobholder will be responsible for business development both with new customers and with existing customers where they are expected to increase “wallet share”.
• Executing sales growth tactics and targets in collaboration with the key business partners (Transactional Banking, Global Markets, Asset Based Finance, Commercial Property Finance, Ecosystem, Bancassurance, Agribusiness, and any other product / solution functions).

Job Description

Key Accountabilities

Sales and Service: 75%

• Achievement of the portfolio’s annual financial targets:
• Balance Sheet Growth,
• Revenue and Profitability,
• Growth in share of market, and
• Portfolio At Risk kept within set limits to minimize potential NPL.
• Driving customer satisfaction (NPS score), developing and growing relationships with existing and potential customers, identifying opportunities for business development and guiding product development.
• Maintain Customer Account Plans for all customers in the portfolio such that contact with customers is prioritized.
• Conduct Annual and, if appropriate, Interim Reviews of Borrowing customers facilities.
• Where applicable, conduct Annual and/or Interim Reviews of Non-borrowing customers.
• Determine the key messages, e.g., agreed service standards, negotiated pricing, relationship team contact points, and new product changes, deciding upon the most appropriate communication method.
• Deal with and find solutions to customer complaints.
• Determine the products that are most effective in meeting customers' needs and be able to sell these at short notice both reactively and proactively.
• Research, create, and follow up a target list for potential new business.

Business Management – 70%

• Research, create, and follow up on a target list for potential new business.
• Identify priority customers using the relationship Customer Account Planning templates to assess their present and potential contributions.
• Gather all the required information that is needed to prepare and assess credit applications. The role holder will be expected to input certain key information such as judgmental information. (They will work with Assistant Relationship Manager, Business Development Manager for relevant product, and the Corporate Credit Manager resources to construct credit applications).
• Adherence to approved policies and procedures and providing feedback on the same so as to keep them competitive;

• Audit issues closed with Nil repeat findings, and
• 100% SLA Adherence to agreed turnaround times.
• Control and quality of the portfolio, using available triggers and adherence to Risk management guidelines and policies.

Staff Management – 5%

• Day-to-day coaching and development of the portfolio Assistant Relationship Managers (ARM’s).
• Performance tracking and periodic reviews of the supporting ARM.
• Making the bank a great place to work (360o feedback).

Preferred Qualifications.

• A relevant business-related degree from a recognized university.
• Additional professional / advanced qualifications are an added advantage.

Preferred Experience

• At least 5 years in relationship management in Business / Corporate Banking.
• At least 3 years in managing Chinese clients/ China Desk

Knowledge and Skills

• A detailed knowledge of the Commercial and Corporate set of products as well as a broad understanding of the products available in Absa.
• For Complex products, will have a detailed knowledge of the requirements of the more sophisticated customers.
• Introduce the product and coordinate the introduction of the relevant Group product specialist.
• A broad understanding of policies and strategies within the country as they relate to the demands of the customer base.
• A detailed understanding of Country and Group guidelines and policies relating to Credit Risk and related management.

***Application Deadline – 22nd April 2026***

Absa Bank Kenya is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. 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.

Education

Bachelors Degree and Professional Qualifications