Job Description

Empowering Africas tomorrow, togetherxe2x80xa6one story at a time.With over 100 years of rich history and strongly positioned as a local bank with regional and international expertise, a career with our family offers the opportunity to be part of this exciting growth journey, to reset our future and shape our destiny as a proudly African group.Job Summary To develop tactical strategy and delivery plans, formulate associated practice/s and to ensure operational implementation and adaption i.t.o. operations management methodology, governance and delivery objectives.BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE SPECIFIC BUSINESS UNIT:
This role is within the Product Solutions Cluster (PSC): Home Loans in the Collections Litigation area.BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE ROLE:
An exciting opportunity to lead the legal collections and litigation strategy for the Home Loans portfolio. The role focuses on planning, managing and monitoring legal recovery processes to deliver on operational targets effectively and within regulatory parameters. The incumbent will be responsible for formulating and overseeing recovery strategies, managing third-party attorneys, ensuring legal and regulatory compliance, and exercising sound risk judgement. An LLB degree and admission as an attorney are mandatory.Managing the Legal Recovery Portfolio:

• Assess overall security and risk position to ensure appropriate impairment is raised through WD-3 forums.
• Conduct robust financial and non-financial analysis to underpin recovery strategy.
• Approve or recommend legal recovery strategies and Risk Management Applications within delegated mandate.
• Formulate recovery strategies that maximise recoveries and mitigate additional losses.
• Instruct and manage panel attorneys throughout the legal lifecycle until resolution.
• Negotiate and approve settlements within personal discretion and escalate beyond mandate where required.
• Provide attorneys with required documentation and evidence to support litigation.
• Make daily recovery decisions and write-off recommendations based on comprehensive case reviews.
• Ensure compliance with internal control and SOX attestation requirements.
• Proactively identify and report risk and loss events to the Risk Manager.
• Track progress of defended matters and collaborate with Group Legal as required.
• Engage with senior stakeholders regarding complex matters, settlements, and Watchlist Committee escalations.

Management of 3rd Party Relationships and Attorneys:

• Issue instructions with clear guidelines to third-party attorneys and service providers.
• Monitor panel attorney performance and address underperformance or non-compliance.
• Manage risks associated with external engagements including insolvency practitioners and auctioneers.
• Conduct regular engagements with Business Units to resolve account-specific legal matters.
• Prepare required reports, committee documents and management information packs.

Financial Performance of Portfolio:

• Optimise recoveries through timeous and effective legal actions.
• Ensure provisioning systems reflect accurate security and valuation data.
• Scrutinise and validate legal and third-party expenses to manage cost exposure.
• Drive assertive engagements to conclude settlements that benefit the Bank and release impairment.

Risk Management:

• Address audit findings and implement corrective actions in collaboration with Home Loans Leadership.
• Participate in audits and provide all requested information accurately and timeously.
• Log all Risk and Loss events and ensure thorough investigations are conducted.
• Educate and embed compliance awareness across the legal collections team.
• Complete regular Risk and Control Assessments (DRACAs) and ensure timely updates.

Governance and Control:

• Embed a culture of control adherence and ensure process documentation is up to date.
• Manage compliance attestations and risk ownership across the team.
• Conduct quarterly reviews of Operational and Principle Risks, and complete attestations.
• Lead risk assessments to determine interdependencies and regulatory impacts.
• Oversee New Product Approval processes within the BU.
• Investigate all loss events, implement consequence management, and share lessons learned.

Project Management and Change Enablement:

• Define and manage change and project processes in Home Loans Legal Recoveries.
• Drive change communication and readiness planning across initiatives.
• Monitor change implementation and adoption to ensure business alignment.
• Coordinate cross-functional change initiatives and stakeholder engagement.
• Ensure projects align with business objectives and customer impact considerations.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:Education:

• NQF Level 7: Bachelor of Laws (LLB) Admission as an attorney is mandatory.
• Postgraduate qualification (NQF Level 8 or 9) in Commercial Law, Credit, or Banking is advantageous.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years in secured lending recoveries or legal collections within a banking environment.
• Demonstrable knowledge of litigation, insolvency, deceased estates, and enforcement processes.
• Extensive understanding of sector-specific risks and legal frameworks.

Knowledge & Skills:

• In-depth knowledge of credit law, insolvency law, and the National Credit Act.
• Strong analytical and financial interpretation skills.
• Proven ability in legal negotiations and high-value settlements.
• Excellent written communication and presentation capability.
• Strong interpersonal and stakeholder management skills.

Competencies:

• Deciding and initiating action
• Applying expertise and analytical thinking
• Planning and organising
• Delivering results and meeting expectations
• Persuading and influencing

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

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