Head: Agency

at  Absa Bank Limited

Empowering Africa’s tomorrow, together…one story at a time.
With over 100 years of rich history and strongly positioned as a local bank with regional and international expertise, a career with our family offers the opportunity to be part of this exciting growth journey, to reset our future and shape our destiny as a proudly African group.
Job Summary

Corporate Investment Banking , is currently looking for the Head of Agency in Investment banking Division. The core responsibility of the Head of Agency is to supervise and co-ordinate all aspects of an agency function. To work with other agents and clients to ensure that targets are met, relevant policies and guidelines are upheld, team management and customer satisfaction is achieved. To also ensure commercial and operational readiness of the function by facilitating strategy formulation and execution. The ideal candidate should have the following:

• A solid understanding of Corporate Investment Products in the various sectors
• 10 years of experience within Investment Banking
• A solid understanding of loan documents is preferred.
• Experience in Team Management
• Post graduate degree in Finance

Job Description
Responsibility for managing a portfolio of Pan Africa clients in Corporate Investment Banking, co-ordinate the end-to-end deal life cycle of syndicated Investment Banking originated products, as well as any third party, originated transactions to which Agency has been assigned as the Facility Agent, focusing on facility origination post financial close, ongoing facility management in terms of the underlying legal agreements and document management on the bank’s syndication platform
The key responsibilities are as follows:

Revenue Strategy

• Align and drive implementation of the business strategy
• Understand financial and economic concepts/drivers that impacts business performance
• Formulate and implement strategies to gain competitive advantage
• Utilise digital technologies effectively to enhance business performance
• Drive suitable innovative solutions to difficult and complex problems using robust and creative methods
• Accountable for establishing high performance team and developing a culture of continuous improvement
• Responsible for placing the client at the heart of the operating model, ensuring that only value add services are provided
• Responsible for the achievement of the Agency revenue target and effective cost management

Deal Team Management

• Deals originated are managed effectively within operating capabilities in line with legal, regulatory and compliance requirements. With maximum use of loan system.
• Agency fees invoiced and recovered for the full portfolio managed.
• Number of findings reported via the governance process review on deals managed that is not in line with the operating model.
• Number of Operational Risk Incidences reported on deals managed.
• Successful maintenance of relationships with all key stakeholders, keeping the client at the heart of everything we do.
• Ensure robust facility documentation process
• Effective covenant monitoring
• Efficient processing for waivers and amendments
• Efficient secondary transfer process
• Continually growing the team and improving overall performance.

Risk Management and Compliance

• Maintain a good knowledge of relevant legislation, governance, regulation, risk management practices
• Good knowledge of risk concepts
• Ability to review and suggest changes or improvement of the effectiveness of the risk strategy control requirements and risk management frameworks that have been designed for the area.
• Promote the importance of compliance in the team and ensure the teams comply and adhere to all audit and compliance requirements
• Ensure Operations Governance framework is documented, negotiated and implemented with relevant stakeholders
• Represent IBD at Operation Risk forum, and take responsibility for the execution of risk policies
• Establish a, in conjunction with the IBD COO and Risk Manager, suitable principles for the setting of operation mandates for transaction processing
• Adhere to Absa frameworks, policies and procedures applicable in the role, demonstrating sound judgement and responsible risk management, and when required highlight breaches and request dispensations & waivers on a timely basis
• Apply the highest standards of controls and risk management practices and behaviour and embed a positive risk and control culture.
• Green Audits- Internal, External and Regulatory-ensure timeous close out of observations and continuous embedment of corrective actions

People & Culture

• Lead, develop and motivate the Operations team, Business Development Manager and Legal team , including responsibility for performance management, development, under-performance, training, assuming reward and recognition, grievance cases and discipline
• Appropriately resource the team to execute on the strategy by recruiting and attracting talent to the organisation
• Provide ongoing leadership to the immediate team that report into you ensuring the team are aligned to the deliverables and managing performance against the strategy and objectives.
• Provide clear leadership and direction to the SA and ARO value chain stakeholders to achieve optimal performance in Operations
• Continuously up-skill colleagues upon their knowledge of Debt/STCF Products including knowledge of related processes, procedures, legal, credit, compliance and external market knowledge
• Establish and maintain a succession plan for the key roles in the team and ensure they are in place by collaborating with HR
• Monitor compliance training is undertaken by team members and ensure that they complete the required training within prescribed timelines.

Communication

• Proactive engagement with internal stakeholders pertaining to client’s requests or information received.
• Professional communication at all times.
• Attend and participate in team, BU Meetings, Projects etc
• Ensure the Absa key business stakeholders receive the appropriate level of service and conduct monthly meetings
• Technical Knowledge
• Accountability & Responsibility of Team Management
• Commercial Effectiveness
• Management & Leadership
• Business skills
• Control Environment
• Risk Management
• Project Management

Knowledge and Skills

• Legal agreements of the transactions and related transaction documentation.
• Understanding of financial markets and general business acumen
• Is adaptable to different environments, people and personalities.
• IBD Product Knowledge
• Financial Modelling , Amortization Table(rate resets/utilization/financial convenance ratios etc.)
• A good understanding of current economic environment including topical financial or credit matters

Education & Experience

• Post graduate degree in Finance
• A solid understanding of Corporate Investment Products in the various sectors
• 10 years of experience within Investment Banking
• A solid understanding of loan documents, financial modelling are preferred.
• Experience in Team Management

Education
Bachelor`s Degrees and Advanced Diplomas: Business, Commerce and Management Studies (Required)
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 advertise

Please refer the Job description for details