Head of Decision Models - Secured Lending - Johannesburg at Absa Group Limited (Absa)

Job Summary

• The role of "Head of Decision Models - Secured Lending" represents a newly established position within the Risk function of the Product Solutions Business Unit of the bank. This role is pivotal in overseeing the entire lifecycle of decisioning models, encompassing their development, validation, approval, implementation, monitoring, and ongoing maintenance. The primary focus of this role is directed towards the suite of Retail Secured Lending products offered by the bank, which includes Home Loans, Structured Mortgages, Pension Backed Loans, Vehicle and Asset Finance, and Ford Financial Services.
• Central to the responsibilities of this role is the pioneering of a transformative shift in the decisioning model landscape within the business unit. The ultimate aim is to position the unit as an industry leader by redefining the decision-making processes within the business. This endeavour entails exploration and implementation of cutting-edge predictive modelling methodologies, with a particular emphasis on leveraging advancements in Predictive Modelling and Machine Learning.
• The purview of model development ownership encompasses a diverse array of models, extending beyond application models to encompass behaviour models, collection models, fraud models, pricing and profitability models, and all other models indispensable for fostering data-driven decisioning excellence throughout the business.
• Overall, the incumbent of this role will play a pivotal role in reshaping and elevating the decisioning model paradigm within the business unit, driving it to the forefront of the industry through innovative strategies and state-of-the-art methodologies.

Job Description

• The position of "Head of Decision Models - Secured Lending" entails overseeing the development and monitoring of decision models for the Secured Lending products, operating within the Product Solutions Business Unit. The incumbent in this role will contribute strategic insights to optimize model development data and architectural approaches. They will play a key role in shaping model development frameworks and establishing procedural strategies to enhance efficiency across the model development lifecycle.
• A commitment to innovation and the ability to promote team efficiency are key attributes for success in this role. Attracting and retaining top talent within the team will be a priority. Effective cross-functional management and coordination of senior internal stakeholders are important, including presentations at Executive Business Oversight Meetings. Additionally, the role involves engagement with external stakeholders, such as the bank's external audit teams, consultants, and service providers.
• The role requires a solid understanding of the latest advancements in predictive modelling and machine learning, along with an innate sense of where these methodologies can be strategically applied to optimize business outcomes. The incumbent will identify strategic gaps within existing decision model development, implementation, and monitoring processes and lead initiatives to address these gaps.
• As the Head of Decision Models - Secured Lending, the individual will be responsible for advancing and refining the model environment within the business unit while adhering to internal and external regulatory standards. Collaborating closely with cross-functional internal stakeholders, they will drive improvements in the function's operational model to ensure alignment with business goals. Regular reviews of the operating model will be necessary, with the aim of enhancing business insight, whilst minimizing disruption to the function's efficiency.

Education

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