Senior Product Manager at Absa Bank Limited

Job Description

People Management 40% 

• Build and develop a high performing team through embedding performance development and coaching.
• Ensure that team members receive coaching and feedback to develop and achieve their maximum potential.
• Discuss and finalise Performance Development Plans and rating for all members of staff.
• Recommend reward allocations for all direct reports, including bonus and pay increases.
• Determine and manage Training Needs Analysis and Succession plans for all team members.
• Responsible for hiring staff based on short-lists of candidates compiled by HR and Resource Coordinator.
• Responsible for conducting exit interviews for all employee-initiated departures from the bank. Provide results of exit interviews to HR for review and analysis.
• Manage staff attendance levels, including approval of leave. Compile monthly absence statistics (annual leave, sick leave, family responsibility leaves, maternity leave, study leave etc) and submit to HR for record keeping.
• Directly responsible for discipline-Initiate misconduct or incapacity charges, follow Absa discipline processes together with HR and an independent chairperson. Build the case files where required.
• Ensure that team members own and manage customer queries and complaints by taking ownership and resolving in a timely manner. Act as the escalation point for their unresolved queries and complaints.
• Motivate staff and ensure they are recognized through the Absa Africa recognition schemes.
• Create an empowering environment for team members, encouraging individual ownership and initiative.

Product Oversight 30%

• Ensure income targets are met for Digital products through establishing and implementing the local product pricing strategy.
• Identifying opportunities for new product development and enhancement in line with the in -country digital strategy.
• Ensure that the product analyst completes the product research and testing activities
• Own the product development and implementation process in -country.
•  This scope of work is for the digital commercialization snr manager
•  This scope of work is for the digital commercialization snr manager
• Continuously review the local basis for customer segmentation and recommend suitable product activity to target and sustain viable and profitable segments in line with the stated digital strategy in country.
• Monitor and provide feedback to Emerging Markets digital Management on local competitor product activity and pricing.
• Review product income legal and regulatory assessments completed by the product analyst 
• Review product income analysis prepared by the Product analyst and present to the local digital working group
• Management Committee and Emerging Markets Product team.
•  This scope is for the digital commercialization snr manager
• Review a customer satisfaction survey to identify product issues. Create action plans and implement changes to address such issues.
• Provide input to the Sales Campaign Manager during the development of product-specific sales campaign.
• Build relationships with internal service providers including Marketing, Communications and Operations and ensure that service level agreements are implemented and maintained where appropriate.

Governance and Control 20%

• Review monthly tariff reports prepared by the Product analysis with particular focus on errors and deviations. Ensure action plans are implemented to address such issues.
• Review notices for submission to local government, regulators and customers prior to their distribution.
• Liaise with the Operations Director on any major processing issues directly linked with the product design or the channels through which the products are distributed.
• Assign snap checks to team members. Collate the results and ensure the remediation action items are implemented. Report any major failures to the digital Director.
• Ensure that the team complies with all Absa policies and procedures, including Health and Safety, by conducting regular team briefings on the subject.
• Own and manage the business continuity management plan for the product team.
• Ensure that bi -annual tests take place and that any failures are reported.
• Report incidents or risk events on the Banks’s Vantage system as required and ensure that proper escalation takes place.
• Ensure that team members abide by required project governance standards for implementation of new Products or launch of new distribution channels.

Business Management 10%

• Agree targets and take accountability for the overall achievement of performance objectives for the team in terms of:
• Employee Satisfaction
• Customer experience 
• Cost Performance
• Risk and rigour Management
• Budget accountability
• Responsible for strict cost management by conducting detailed analysis, monthly, of the following cost elements:
• Overtime approvals
• Equipment maintenance
• Stationary consumption/telephones etc.
• Staff costs
• Brand, product and business proposition:
• Provide clear direction to staff on the Absa Retail business objectives, translating and prioritizing into business performance measures at team and individual level.

Academic Qualifications

• First degree in commerce or banking
• MBA
• Project Management qualification

Experience

• At least 8 years’ experience in product development in a digital Banking environment.