Chief Operating Officer Absa Group

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Job Summary

To lead and direct the transformation of the Operations functions to provide world class customer experience, underpinned by a lean cost base, strong controls, and a culture of collaboration, innovation, and high performance.

Job Description

Accountability: Strategy Development & Execution Plan

Time split% – 30%

Contribute towards the development of the Absa Bank Zambia Limited strategy as part of the Country Management Committee and ensure the implementation of the strategy within the COO functions.
Develop a country COO strategy and execution plan aligned to Product strategy, Pan
Africa COO priorities and Group / regional input

Provide clear strategic direction to the COO function consisting of Operations; Commercial Operations; Consumer Operations, Governance and Control; Fraud Operations; Sourcing; Corporate Real Estates, Forensic & Investigations and Security.
Engage the COO function teams to translate the Bank’s strategy into tactical delivery plans and identify measurable performance indicators.
Contribute to the development of the Bank’s strategy for the next 2-3 years by providing a view on potential improvements for products or services and an assessment of the existing situation and anticipated changes in the external environment.

Accountability: Achieving Business Performance

Time split% – 30%

Ensure that strategic objectives of both country and products are translated into a
realistic delivery plan with mechanisms for key measurements in place to monitor

progress

Direct the effective operational management of the COO functions in-country to agreed service and cost targets
Ensure that Non-Financial Risk is strongly represented at ExCo in line with the required business focus
Design, test, implement and embed various automation initiatives to reduce manual processes
Work with business colleagues to make processes easier for our customers through automation and digital enhancements
Check alignment of new COO projects proposal or initiatives to the Bank’s strategy and objectives prior to approval.
Manage the transition of projects to business as usual with a focus on continued delivery post closure of a project.
Play an active role in the Group COO Forum to influence the change, systems, and operations agendas.
Oversee the process engineering and business architecture development for all products, processes unique to the Bank Operations
Coordinate the efforts of the different operational areas under management to ensure minimal duplication of efforts, maximum efficiency and to maximize value for money.
Sign off capital expenditure within budget. This includes approving purchase or sell for desktop computers, laptops, departmental equipment, etc.
Act as the Bank’s representative for all COO related issues by liaising with the government, regulatory authorities and other stakeholders when required to do so.
Form part of the broader ARO COO team, working closely with the ARO Regional COO office on panAfrica projects, initiatives and objectives
Work proactively across ARO with other Country COOs to share ideas and leverage off best practice

Accountability:
Leadership of staff

Time split% -20%

Ensure effective selection, development & deployment of COO staff to meet ongoing
priorities and competency demand from the business functions including succession planning for team.

Provide clear direction on strategic goals, translating and prioritizing them into
business and performance measures.

Manage the COO functions to headcount and cost targets
Ensure effective communication to employees to drive engagement
Pursue own development to increase personal effectiveness
Embed the values and behaviors that reinforce the achievement of the COO function objectives and Bank’s strategy.
Maintain a succession plan for the key roles in the COO function in line with the Talent Management process.
Determine the learning needs (including future skills) for the COO function working in collaboration with the COO management team and LLT Head; allocate budget and oversee execution.
Approve leave requests for direct reports and ensure they manage the leave planning for their teams effectively.
Drive the employee engagement of the COO function by analyzing employee engagement survey results, drawing up appropriate plans and following through on execution.
Develop a high performing team by embedding formal performance development and by coaching for the COO management team to ensure they conduct the process effectively.

Accountability: Controls (Mandatory for all roles)
Time split%: 20%

Ensure a culture of Proactive compliance within the COO function
Drive effective Business Continuity Management (BCM) plans and ensure Disaster Recovery (DR) for all aspects of COO
Oversee the development of Key Risk framework for all units within COO and effective management of Operational Risk.
Identify, execute, and deliver savings through process efficiency. Use tools such as Lean and Six Sigma to remove waste, improve turnaround times and iron out unnecessary cost
Agree targets and take full accountability for the overall achievement of performance objectives in the COO area in terms of employee satisfaction, cost performance, operational risk, and compliance and governance requirements.
Anticipate the potential risks within the COO function and puts in place measures to minimize such exposure to risk the Zambia environment.
Remediate open and overdue audit and management assurance action items within the operating environment.
Ensure the Financial Crime risk assessment for Zambia is improved to “At Appetite” and maintained at this level
Develop timely reports that satisfy the requirements of the Board, Risk Committees, Absa Africa Regional Office, and Group COO.
Ensure all activities and duties are carried out in full compliance with regulatory requirements, Absa Operational Risk Framework and internal Absa Policies and Standards.
Education

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