Strategic Partnership Manager – Wholesale Finance + VAPS

Empowering Africa’s tomorrow, together…one 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 drive the OEM strategic growth, operational effectiveness and commercial enablement of the Wholesale Finance and Value-Added Products (VAPS) portfolio. The role is responsible for translating business strategy into actionable initiatives, strengthening strategic partnerships with OEMs, dealers and key stakeholders, optimising end-to-end operational processes, and supporting sustainable revenue growth through innovative and customer-centric solutions.

The incumbent acts as a critical link between strategy and execution, driving the delivery of strategic initiatives, leveraging data-driven insights, and promoting strong governance, operational excellence and continuous improvement to achieve business objectives.

Job Description

1. Strategic Leadership & Business Development

Support the development and execution of the OEM Wholesale Finance and VAPS strategic roadmap aligned to business objectives.

• Identify growth opportunities through market, competitor and industry analysis.
• Lead strategic OEM, dealer group and partner engagement initiatives that support portfolio growth objectives.
• Drive strategic initiatives that enhance customer experience, commercial outcomes and operational effectiveness.
• Translate business strategy into measurable plans, projects and performance outcomes.
• Provide strategic insights, recommendations and market intelligence to the Head of Wholesale Finance, Strategic Partnerships leadership and relevant governance forums.
• Support the identification, evaluation and implementation of new business opportunities, products and partnership models that contribute to sustainable growth.

2. Strategic Partner & Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain strong relationships with OEMs, dealer groups, insurers, administrators and key internal stakeholders.
• Act as the primary relationship manager for OEM strategic partners within Wholesale Finance and VAPS.
• Collaborate with Sales, Credit, Risk, Operations, Finance and Technology teams to deliver integrated customer and partner solutions.
• Identify and implement partnership opportunities that enhance customer value, portfolio growth and commercial performance.
• Facilitate effective engagement across internal and external stakeholder groups to ensure alignment on strategic priorities and business objectives.
• Support the negotiation and implementation of partnership agreements, business initiatives and commercial opportunities.

3. Operational Execution & Delivery

• Drive operational alignment across onboarding, dealer support, inspections, customer service and portfolio management functions.
• Monitor operational performance against agreed service levels, customer expectations and business targets.
• Identify operational bottlenecks and implement solutions that improve turnaround times, efficiency and customer outcomes.
• Lead change management initiatives across systems, processes and people to support business transformation objectives.
• Coordinate cross-functional activities to ensure successful execution of strategic initiatives and business priorities.
• Monitor delivery progress and escalate risks and issues where appropriate.

4. Process Optimisation & Efficiency

• Continuously review and improve end-to-end business processes across the Wholesale Finance and VAPS value chain for OEMs and OEM partners .
• Identify opportunities for automation, digitisation and process simplification.
• Drive operational efficiency initiatives that improve productivity, scalability and service delivery.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and innovation across the business.
• Support the implementation of process enhancements that improve stakeholder, dealer and customer experiences.
• Monitor the effectiveness and sustainability of process improvement initiatives and associated benefits.

5. Commercial & Financial Management

• Support the management and growth initiatives of the OEM Wholesale Finance and VAPS portfolio.
• Monitor performance against revenue, profit, volume and portfolio quality targets, highlighting risks and opportunities.
• Provide financial insights, management information and performance reporting to support decision-making.
• Support budget planning, forecasting and benefit realisation tracking.
• Identify opportunities to improve commercial performance, operational efficiency and cost optimisation.
• Contribute to business case development, investment assessments and commercial evaluations for strategic initiatives.
• Monitor key portfolio and commercial metrics and recommend actions to improve performance.

6. Data, Analytics & Reporting

• Utilise data and analytics to identify trends, opportunities and risks.
• Develop meaningful management information, dashboards and executive reporting.
• Generate actionable insights that support strategic and operational decision-making.
• Measure and track the success of strategic initiatives, operational improvements and partnership programmes.
• Leverage analytics to improve customer, dealer and partner outcomes.
• Provide regular reporting and recommendations that support informed business decisions.
• Ensure data quality, integrity and consistency across reporting and performance management processes.

7. Risk, Governance & Compliance

• Ensure adherence to regulatory, governance and risk management requirements.
• Monitor portfolio risks and recommend mitigating actions where appropriate.
• Support the development and execution of risk management strategies and controls.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable policies, governance frameworks and regulatory standards.
• Support governance forums through the preparation and presentation of relevant business, performance and risk information.
• Promote a strong risk, control and compliance culture across business activities and stakeholder engagements.
• Ensure identified risks, issues and control weaknesses are appropriately managed and escalated.

Education

Bachelor`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