Executive Financial Decision Support

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Job Summary

The Senior Cost and Productivity Head will lead the Absa Regional Operations (ARO) cost management and productivity enhancement efforts. This role will focus on identifying and implementing cost-saving opportunities, improving business efficiency, and ensuring accurate cost attribution at product and business levels. Reporting to the ARO CFO, the role demands strategic thinking, analytical excellence, and project management capabilities to drive meaningful financial and operational outcomes.
This position represents a unique opportunity for a high-caliber individual to shape the financial and operational efficiency of the ARO business while contributing significantly to its strategic objectives.

Job Description

Cost Management

• Cost Savings & Execution:
• Identify cost-saving opportunities across ARO.
• Oversee the execution of cost-reduction initiatives to ensure delivery against targets.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to embed a cost-conscious culture.

Benchmarking & Insights:

• Conduct benchmarking exercises to identify areas of over- and under-investment.
• Provide actionable insights and recommendations to improve financial performance.

Cost Planning & Forecasting:

• Lead the annual cost planning and forecasting processes.
• Develop robust cost models to support decision-making.

Cost Accounting & Analysis:

• Ensure accurate monthly cost accounting and variance analysis.
• Deliver insightful cost reports to support business decisions.

Productivity Management

• Productivity Program Oversight:
• Lead ARO’s productivity program to improve efficiency and profitability.
• Assess the commercial viability of proposed productivity initiatives.

 Tracking & Reporting:

• Track the execution and commercial realization of approved productivity initiatives.
• Report regularly on the progress and impact of the program.

Budget Allocation:

• Allocate budgets effectively to maximize efficiency gains.

Cost Attribution & Allocation

• Cost to Do Business:
• Calculate and report the cost of doing business at a product and transaction level.
• Identify and measure key cost drivers.

Cost Allocation:

• Develop and implement cost allocation methodologies to distribute costs between business units and to product levels to enable franchise level profitability reporting.
• Provide insights into the financial impact of cost drivers

Qualification

• Chartered Accountant (CA) or a recognized cost management qualification.

Experience:

• Proven track record of successful cost management and / or achieving efficiency gains.
• Extensive experience in cost planning, forecasting, and financial analysis.
• Demonstrated success in managing complex programs and delivering measurable outcomes.

 Skills:

• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills.
• Proficiency in benchmarking and cost analysis methodologies.
• Advanced project management skills to coordinate across complex, matrixed environments.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.

Personal Attributes:

• High level of integrity and accountability.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Proactive, self-motivated, and results-driven.
• Ability to navigate and influence within a complex organizational structure.

Education

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