Head, Debt Finance Absa Bank

Originate, execute, and grow the corporate debt business for Uganda and assist in delivering Investment banking (including but not limited to Debt capital Markets and Equity Capital Market* Advisory Project Finance) offering in country, including all the activities required to grow the franchise in an effective manner to enable Absa to become a leading bank in Africa.
Job Description

Business Development & Origination (60%) Outputs:
• “Own” and deliver on the Debt Balance sheet and P&L targets.
• Formulate overall strategy across coverage segments including products, customer proposition, lending approach.
• Originate and execute Debt and Investment Banking opportunities.
• Work with specialist product areas to offer clients a comprehensive and competitive package to meet their requirements.
• Implement Debt Pricing Policy and ensure appropriate product and relationship pricing.
• Lead New Product Approval process for Debt products at a country level.
• Attend team meetings on a regular basis to maintain dialogue / sharing of information to ensure up to date knowledge of marketplace, business development activity / initiatives, competitors and people issue etc.
• Ensure monthly product revenue validation is conducted and pricing on debt products is done above minimum hurdle rates.
• Understand dynamics of Debt portfolio, identify opportunities as well as maintaining good credit quality of the portfolio through proactive monitoring and control.
• Identify and implement best practices across coverage segments.

Risk Management (25%) Outputs:
• Escalate identified issues in a timely manner to management. Where applicable, demonstrate awareness and understanding of the relevant control principles and is committed to applying them to working practices as required.
• Adhere to Absa’s policies and procedures applicable to own role, demonstrating sound judgement and responsible risk management.
• Be fully aware and compliant with all governance issues affecting Debt financing and address these issues accordingly.
• Proactively look for ways to improve the control environment by considering what could go wrong in the processes you operate and how to improve the process.
• Early identification of watchlist accounts, covenants and credit monitoring of debt transactions
• All mandatory training completed to deadline

People Developments and Management (15%) Outputs:
• Develop skills and knowledge, supporting Relationship Managers in country in understanding Debt products more comprehensively.
• Build collaborative network with Corporate Credit Director, Head of Wholesale Credit, CCMs and other partners across the group
• Establish and embed the values, behaviors and risk appetite that will under underpin the achievement of business objectives.
• Provide opportunities for learning and development for the country teams.

Technical Skills/Competencies Competencies: Technical Skills (Essential)
• Managing Relationships and deal Origination
• ‘Selling’, negotiating, and influencing skills.
• Business awareness and Business Development
• Strong Credit risk analysis skills
• Good teamwork skills
• Strong performance management skills
• Creative/ Innovative
• Good at Decision making.
• Strong formal presentation skill

Education and Experience Required
• Seven (7) years’ experience in customer facing role (sales and service)
• Experience in origination, structuring, negotiating, syndication and transactions, financial modelling is key.
• Relevant knowledge and experience in banking specifically Corporate Banking Debt products • Results-orientated
• Knowledge of competitor skills and competencies
• Demonstrated capacity to lead, coach, and supervise team members effectively.
• Visible excellent communication (written and verbal) and negotiation skills.

Preferred:
• Experience of working in a multinational, multi-segment, environment with matrix reporting.
• Banking and Financial services industry related knowledge
• Experience at a senior level, preferably in an international or regional financial institution

Education
• Bachelors Degree and Professional Qualifications: Business, Commerce and Management Studies (Required)