Senior Dealmaker: Commercial Property Finance at Absa Group Limited (Absa)

Job Summary

• The Senior Dealmaker CPF will be appointed in the Cape Town office. The successful candidate will be responsible for originating and managing commercial property finance transactions across market segments with a focus on Wealth, Premium and High Value.
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in Commercial Property Finance as a dealmaker/ banker with strong credit analysis and financial modelling skills essential. Strong networks in property market are essential.

Job Description

• The Commercial Property Finance team has the primary responsibility within the Bank for the coverage of real estate clients. The position involves originating, structuring and managing commercial property finance transactions (including owner-occupied property financing) across market segments with a focus on Wealth, Premium and High Value.
• End to end responsibility for transactions from inception to client acceptance and final pay-away. The role requires a close working relationship with Business Banking & Wealth Coverage, Credit, DocMan and internal legal teams to originate and successfully execute these transactions.

Key Accountabilities

Client Service and deal origination

• To identify and originate commercial property finance opportunities from real estate clients as well as owner-occupied property financing opportunities across the Business Bank and Wealth client base
• To formulate, propose and provide tailored and innovative financing and risk management solutions to clients.
• To assist the business in growing the Commercial Property franchise through proactive origination and client engagement.
• At a senior level, to establish and maintain sustainable strategic relationships with clients
• Proactively anticipate, respond to and seek to exceed the expectations of customers.
• Establish and maintain good professional relationships with all internal and external stakeholders.
• To promote (and demonstrate) a culture of cross-selling, capital efficiency and innovation to deliver superior returns.
• To structure commercial property finance solutions.
• Drive transactions internally, including taking transactions through dealforum, credit, and other internal committees, working closely with other business/product areas, where applicable.
• To develop bespoke financial models to enable detailed credit analysis of lending transactions including development costs and property valuation.
• Manage the execution of transactions from origination to closing, acting as an integral member of the deal team.
• Assist in the preparation of the Term Sheet and Deal Documentation.
• Co-ordination of deal documentation for client signature.
• Logging of deals and client plans as appropriate on Salesforce.
• Assist with client enquiries and issue resolution.
• Keep updated on the relevant banking products and market trends, customer insights and needs by regularly engaging with customers to obtain and manage customer feedback.
• Administer the progress payment process to ensure timeous payments and to be aware of progress and quality on site.
• Provide sector thought leadership to clients and segments serviced. 

Maintenance and risk management

• Ensure that all legal, regulatory and policy processes and procedures are adhered to in all transactions facilitated.
• Ensure that transactions comply in all respects with Absa’s risk and compliance policies and procedures as well as legal and regulatory requirements.
• Understand and manage risks and risk events (incidents) relevant to the role, including escalation thereof.
• Drive and assist with annual credit reviews, sourcing the necessary information required.
• Manage high risk customer accounts together with the Credit, CPF Monitoring and Control teams.
• Keep abreast of sector developments, legislation and statutory requirements.

​​​​​​​Stakeholder Management

• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain healthy working relationships with all CPF internal support areas.
• Build excellent and pro-active relationships with the Credit team by seeking their full input into the solutioning process.
• Effectively communicate developments within areas of activity to all relevant stakeholders.
• Ensure impeccable and timeous service levels

​​​​​​​Role / Person Specification

Education and Experience Required

• Bachelors Degree in Commerce, Accounting, Finance or CFA Charter or equivalent qualifications or experience
• Honours or equivalent would be preferable
• Minimum 5-7 years of Banking experience
• Significant exposure to commercial property finance

​​​​​​​Knowledge & Skills: (Maximum of 6)

• Detailed understanding of real estate as an asset class
• Understanding of credit analysis
• Understanding of capital structures
• Financial modeling skills
• Understanding of accounting and valuation principles
• Ability to work under pressure, managing competing demands and multiple reporting lines
• Organised approach to work environment and tasks
• Commitment to appropriate actions
• Ability to recognise, communicate and assist in solving problems
• Understanding of the importance of working in a team environment
• Ability to be able to work independently
• Persistence in completing tasks according to standards provided
• Approachable attitude
• Displaying ownership and accountability (being liable and responsible) for relevant tasks
• Ability to deal with clients and stakeholder (internal and external) and develop working relationships across the firm
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal

​​​​​​​Competencies:  (Maximum of 8 competencies)

• Personal & Interpersonal Skills
• Business Skills
• Technical Knowledge
• Organisation and Execution
• Supportive and cooperative
• Ability to work with multidisciplinary teams across the Firm
• Capacity to multi-task across projects / clients, and to own multiple work streams in a congested and fast-moving working environment
• Highly organized. Effective delegation
• Accountability to clients and colleagues for delivery
• Ability to combine attention to detail with big picture thinking, on both a deal specific and broader client basis
• Highly motivated, proactive, hard working, and dedicated to success in his/her career
• Ability to assimilate and retain large volumes of information concerning clients and transactions

​​​​​​​Education

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

End Date: November 7, 2025