Manager Collections Strategy Credit Risk – Transactional and Deposits at Absa Group Limited (Absa)

Job Summary

• The Collections Strategy Manager is responsible for leading the design, execution, and continuous optimisation of collections and recoveries strategies, with a strong emphasis on Transactional products (TxD / Card). The role balances credit risk, operational efficiency, and customer experience, while embedding predictive modelling, SAS-driven analytics, and automation into decision-making.
• As a senior leader, the incumbent also manages and develops a specialist team, fostering a high-performance culture to drive portfolio health, enhance recoveries, and sustain risk outcomes within appetite.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

Strategy, Planning & Risk Management

• Lead the development, execution, and maintenance of agile, data-driven collections strategies across the credit lifecycle (early delinquency to off-balance sheet).
• Conduct gap analyses to identify inefficiencies and implement data-backed solutions to improve strategy outcomes.
• Implement risk models in early and late-stage delinquency, enhancing the use of digital capabilities, operational resources, and outsourcing.
• Drive debt sales strategies, having successfully executed multiple sales since 2022 to optimise recoveries.
• Redesign collections strategies to integrate new and complex account types.
• Provide input into fees suspension rules and treatments to balance loss mitigation with fair customer outcomes.
• Embed SAS-driven automation, scorecard monitoring, and predictive modelling in collections and recoveries strategies.
• Use scenario analysis and forecasting to adjust strategies in line with macroeconomic shifts.
• Ensure compliance with the National Credit Act (NCA), ERMF, and model governance standards.

Data Analytics & Optimisation

• Analyse data trends to uncover revenue opportunities and loss mitigation levers.
• Lead the implementation of champion/challenger testing frameworks to refine collections strategies.
• Maintain full documentation of SAS models, processes, and decision logic.

​​​​​​​Leadership & People Management

• Manage and develop a team of senior risk analysts and graduates, setting clear objectives and fostering professional growth.
• Oversee team performance through PD plans, succession planning, and continuous feedback.
• Build a collaborative culture, promoting accountability, recognition, and innovation.
• Lead large-scale projects with multiple data streams and strict deadlines, ensuring timely delivery.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build strong relationships with Credit Risk, Product Support, Technical Teams, Decisioning Systems, Debt Manager, Operations, and External Debt Collectors.
• Drive alignment with Operations through daily and monthly engagements, ensuring consistent execution of strategies.
• Present portfolio performance, trends, and strategy updates to senior governance forums and BU leadership.

​​​​​​​Control & Governance

• Maintain a robust control environment that balances customer experience with organizational risk and financial objectives.
• Ensure SAS audit trails, reporting standards, and documentation support transparency and compliance.

​​​​​​​Qualifications & Experience

• Honours Degree in Mathematics, Statistics, or equivalent (NQF 8).
• 8+ years banking experience, with 2+ years in a senior role in Retail Banking or Collections.
• Proven success in credit risk, collections strategy, and recoveries management.
• Expertise in SAS modelling, scorecard development, and predictive analytics.
• Experience in staff management, coaching, and leadership.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, financial analysis, and decisioning capability.

Education

• Bachelor`s Degrees and Advanced Diplomas: Business, Commerce and Management Studies (Required), Bachelor Honours Degree: BMI – Business Management and Informatics

End Date: September 25, 2025