People Lead: Relationship Banking (SME)

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
The role is responsible for designing and implementing a Human Resources business model and strategy for the SME segment, within Relationship Banking, aligned with the overall HR organizational strategy. This includes leading the people agenda across Integrated Channels to drive optimal business outcomes, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, HR policies, and best practices. The role aims to deliver tailored People solutions and strategic initiatives to support the business’s commercial objectives.
Job Description

Commercial Awareness & Strategic Partnering:

• Demonstrates deep knowledge of global markets, competitive positioning, and commercial drivers in a dynamic retail banking environment.
• Translates the Business Unit (BU) strategy into a clear people agenda and provides strategic HR support to senior leadership.
• Leverages data, analytics, and trends to diagnose BU challenges and propose effective HR solutions.
• Builds external networks and influences perceptions to attract top talent and shape the market view of Absa Group Limited.

Trusted Advisor:

• Serves as a trusted HR advisor to senior leaders, offering coaching, guidance, and strategic advice.
• Influences senior leadership with credibility and acts as a sounding board for the Managing Executive (ME) and top leadership.
• Supports leadership effectiveness and team development at the highest levels.

End-to-End HR Delivery:

• Functions as the key relationship manager, coordinating People Specialists and Operations to execute the people strategy.
• Focuses on talent development, succession planning, and nurturing leadership within the BU.
• Drives customer-centric HR practices, ensuring responsiveness and prioritizing customer relations within People Function teams.
• Leads the execution of key People initiatives using effective change management and project management disciplines.

Functional Leadership:

• Oversees strategic workforce planning and participates in executive-level hiring.
• Leads talent reviews, succession planning, and capability development for the BU.
• Delivers leadership programs, identifies internal capability gaps, and implements appropriate development and coaching plans.
• Manages reward and performance strategies, including executive compensation and pay cycle management.
• Ensures strong employee engagement, partnering with the People Operations team.

Team Leadership:

• Develops a high-performing team through formal performance management and ongoing coaching.
• Identifies and addresses training and development needs for team members, while maintaining a succession plan for critical roles.
• Recruits, develops, and engages team members to drive strong employee engagement.

Finance & Risk Management:

• Establishes and oversees the people risk framework within the People Function.
• Manages budgets effectively, ensuring alignment with cost drivers and financial targets.

Additional Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree (Postgraduate qualification preferred)
• Experience in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment with a 24/7 operational model across various channels
• Retail banking experience is an advantage
• Expertise in managing large-scale people projects, including reskilling and innovation
• Strong relationship-building skills at all levels of the organization and with labor partners
• Oversight of a team of 7,000 permanent employees across South Africa, including a large People Partner team across multiple regions.

Education
Postgraduate Degrees and Professional Qualifications: 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