Business Manager - Wholesale Banking

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Job Summary

Act as risk management and management information coordinator for Wholesale Banking, liaising with key stakeholders as required.
Analysis/Review of Wholesale Banking activities and setting recommendation.
Monitoring of large transactions with particular emphasis on potential conduct issues.
Leverage AI-driven analytics to interpret performance data, generate actionable business insights, and identify strategic growth opportunities across CIB.
Drive performance management across CIB through data-led insights, leveraging AI tools to analyse financial, client, and operational metrics.
Translate complex data into clear, actionable recommendations to enhance profitability, efficiency, and strategic execution.
Identify growth opportunities and emerging risks by applying AI-enabled predictive and trend analysis.
Partner with senior stakeholders to support business planning, budgeting, forecasting, and target setting.
Develop and maintain performance dashboards and reporting frameworks to monitor key business indicators.
Optimise resource allocation by evaluating productivity, cost efficiency, and return on capital using advanced analytics.
Support strategic initiatives and transformation programs through robust data modelling and scenario analysis.
Champion data-driven decision-making and promote the adoption of AI-enabled tools across CIB to enhance commercial outcomes.

Job Description

Performance Management & Analytics

• Lead end-to-end performance management across CIB, covering revenue, cost, capital, and client metrics.

• Leverage AI tools and advanced analytics to generate predictive insights and trend analysis.

• Develop automated dashboards and real-time performance reporting frameworks.

• Provide monthly and quarterly performance reviews with forward-looking recommendations.

Strategic Planning & Commercial Insight

• Work with Bank’s Strategy team to support strategy formulation for the Corporate and Investment Banking function, budgeting, and forecasting processes.

• Conduct scenario modelling and stress testing to inform strategic decisions.

• Identify new revenue pools, productivity enhancements, and cost optimization opportunities using AI-driven analysis.

• Work with the Business Heads to ensure optimum capital allocation and balance sheet efficiency.

Executive Advisory & Stakeholder Management

• Act as trusted advisor to the senior leadership.

• Translate complex financial and operational data into clear executive narratives.

• Act as a trusted advisor to the Head of department, providing data-driven insights to shape strategic direction.

• Engage and influence internal senior stakeholders, including Country Management Committee members, ensuring alignment on performance priorities, risks, and growth initiatives.

• Partner closely with Absa Group functions to align CIB objectives.

• Prepare high-quality materials and insights for Country Management Committee, Board, and Group-level forums.

Transformation, Automation & AI Enablement

• Drive automation of reporting and analytics to reduce manual processes.

• Champion adoption of AI-enabled tools across CIB leadership teams.

• Support digital and transformation initiatives with robust data modelling and performance tracking.

Governance, Risk & Controls

• Ensure performance metrics align with regulatory and risk frameworks.

• Monitor risk-adjusted performance indicators

• Strengthen governance around data accuracy and reporting integrity.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Strategy office, Finance, Risk, Product, Coverage, Compliance, and Technology to ensure aligned performance delivery.

• Facilitate coordination on strategic initiatives and cross-business programs.

Competencies:

• Strategic & Commercial Acumen – Strong understanding of financial performance drivers within Corporate & Investment Banking and ability to translate analysis into commercial impact.

• AI & Advanced Analytics Capability – Proficiency in leveraging AI tools, predictive analytics, and data modelling to generate forward-looking business insights.

• Financial & Performance Management Expertise – Deep knowledge of budgeting, forecasting, cost management, ROE analysis, and capital optimization.

• Data Interpretation & Storytelling – Ability to synthesize complex datasets into clear executive-level narratives and actionable recommendations.

• Stakeholder Influence & Executive Communication – Confident engagement with senior leadership; able to challenge constructively and influence strategic decisions.

• Execution & Delivery Focus – Strong project management capability with a track record of delivering high-impact initiatives in complex environments.

• Risk & Governance Awareness – Understanding of regulatory, compliance, and risk considerations within a banking environment.

• Innovation Mindset – Proactive in identifying opportunities to automate, digitize, and enhance decision-making through AI and data solutions.

• Outstanding planning / organisational, time management skills and ruthless attention to detail. Hard worker with continuous improvement ethic.

• Excellent interpersonal skills with strong influencing/persuasive skills and an ability to build and maintain effective relationships at all levels of the Absa Group.  

• Excellent oral & written communication skills.

Knowledge, Expertise and Experience:

• Understanding of strategy tools and techniques

• Sound market risk 

• Building stakeholder and communication plans

• Demonstrated experience in performance analytics, financial modelling, and executive reporting.

• Proven track record of leveraging AI, automation, or advanced analytics tools to drive business insight and efficiency.

• Strong understanding of CIB products, client segments, revenue drivers, and balance sheet dynamics.

• Experience in data visualization and analytics tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau, Python, SQL, or equivalent AI-enabled platforms).

Preferred Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Economics, Business, Data Science, Engineering, or related field.

• Postgraduate qualification (e.g., MBA, CFA, CA, ACCA, or equivalent) preferred.

• 5 years+ experience in Corporate & Investment Banking, Strategy, Finance, Business Management, or Consulting.

Education

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