Senior Manager: Credit Data and Regulatory Control - VP

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Job Summary

To support the Head: Credit Data and Regulatory Control, Credit Risk in establishing a dedicated oversight and control function in credit risk regulatory reporting to track operational performance and implement continuous improvements in data management, regulatory control and governance. Perform second line of defence activities to effectively control the quality of credit risk regulatory reporting across Absa Group.

Job Description

Accountability:  Risk Management, Control and Governance

• Maintain a full understanding of the end-to-end credit risk regulatory reporting production process (data, process, methodologies, systems, operations, controls and governance).
• Proactively engage with regulatory data production leaders across Business Units and Group functions, providing advice and challenge on data management techniques, the effectiveness and comprehensiveness of controls, and the state of the overall control and operational environment.
• Provide ongoing advice on monitoring and managing the risk and control environment in terms of best practice procedures, policies, legislative and regulatory operations.
• Drive effective engagement with data and process owners as well as other oversight and assurance partners across the full value chain of credit risk regulatory reporting.
• Develop indicators, tools, metrics and analytics that will enable senior management to understand and monitor the overall quality and accuracy of data being consumed, produced and reported in credit risk regulatory processes and identify areas for improvement.
• Develop and monitor early warning mechanisms to flag any deterioration in the risk and control environment for regulatory reporting. Proactively communicate the potential consequences to senior management.
• Prepare operational performance updates for internal governance/oversight forums.
• Implement and maintain effective governance structures within the regulatory reporting credit risk function.
• Participate in key regulatory reporting oversight committees and forums, identifying control gaps/weaknesses and share recommendations to improve.
• Provide second line review of key monthly reporting results, packs and reconciliations.
• Maintain, log and monitor key control failures and/or risk events to senior management and the operational risk team.
• Co-ordinate and contribute to the resolution of audit findings and remediation gaps in data quality, processes and controls identified by assurance partners.
• Provide training to production teams on design and implementation of effective controls and data quality validation and monitoring.
• Ensure ongoing compliance of data management practices, operational processes and controls with BCBS239 principles for Risk Data Aggregation and Risk Reporting and the Group’s Policy.
• Drive the embedment of the BCBS 239 Principles in group credit regulatory reporting.
• Drive the successful embedment of new reporting tools and software applications.
• Review  the Risk and Control Assessment and Critical Process Assessment relating to credit risk regulatory reporting.
• Partner and collaborate with assurance partners across Absa Group to ensure control testing for credit risk regulatory reporting is planned and executed effectively.
• Perform control testing and deep dive reviews when required.

Accountability:  Regulatory requirements

• Strong technical knowledge of regulatory reporting requirements as it pertains to credit risk reporting, large exposure reporting, equity risk, securitization and foreign entity reporting (via. Banks Act Returns, supplementary schedules and Pillar III disclosure).
• Identify and perform deep dive reviews on regulatory reporting gaps/weaknesses in line with the regulations.
• Recommend and drive closure of identified regulatory remediation activities.
• Stay up to date with Bank regulations to timeously identify potential changes to the reporting process and emerging risks. Present/ provide updates to the team; identify plans of approach and lead co-ordination of change.
• Perform second line of defense in review of monthly regulatory operational results/outcomes; internal reporting packs; regulator packs; queries and external reporting.  

Accountability: Technology Proficiency

• Leverage advanced technology tools and data analytics to enhance control and oversight.
• Contribute to process improvement through automation and digital solutions.
• Utilize tools like Excel, Power BI, SQL, and reporting platforms to track, manage and analyze data.
• Standardize reporting processes using automated tools.
• Automate reporting processes and improve data accuracy using scripting or workflow tools (e.g., Python, VBA).
• Explore the use of AI/ML models for anomaly detection in credit data.

 

Accountability:  Stakeholder and Relationship Management

• Engage and build strong internal and external relationships, displaying excellent abilities to listen, advice, influence and present at different levels.
• Establish and nurture influential relationships with a wide network across the organization to identify synergies and optimally leverage relationships, knowledge, services and resources to provide superior solutions.
• Develop relationships with key stakeholders who are based in geographies outside South Africa through regular engagement and knowledge sharing.
• Interface with governance structures, committees/forums/working groups on all credit related regulatory reporting matters.
• Display proactive stakeholder management; establishing professional and trusting relationships.

Accountability: People Management 

• Provide clear direction to team members on the key focus areas and ensure their understanding and successful delivery.
• Develop a culture of proactive compliance, risk management and innovation within the team and the function as a whole.
• Proactively contribute to a progressive team environment by positively driving teamwork and change.
• Promote knowledge transfer, personal development activities and ongoing learning, and collaboration within the team.
• Ability to perform a review role in team deliverables.

Accountability:  Change and programme management

• Actively contribute and drive the implementation of regulatory change initiatives for credit risk regulatory reporting.
• Identify and drive initiatives that will improve the overall quality of credit data and regulatory production processes, such as new controls and analytical reviews.
• Drive the investigation of alternative solutions and assist in making comprehensive recommendations where deficiencies exist.
• Assist in the oversight and execution of regulatory change initiatives (e.g. integration of Basel IV into business-as-usual, regulatory remediation).
• Monitor, analyze and report on the likely impact of upcoming changes in regulatory requirements on credit risk.
• Identify areas of continuous improvement to data infrastructure, including technology  solutions, to support scalable and efficient data management practices.

Preferred Education & Experience

• CA (SA) or equivalent, or a related NQF Level 9 equivalent qualification.
• Regulatory SME (preferred Credit risk).
• At least 8+ years’ experience in the Banking or Audit sector (Financial Services).
• At least 3 - 5+ years risk management experience in a governance or audit role with experience of the Banking regulatory reporting process.
• Strong technology skills and experience.

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 advertised