Principal Legal Counsel: Relationship Banking at Absa Group Limited (Absa)

Job Summary

• To develop a functional legal operating model and framework in a broadly defined business functional strategy; enabling horizontal alignment, implementation and adoption. To be deeply embedded in the strategic decision making of the business supported.

Job Description

• We have a vacancy for a seasoned Principal Legal Counsel at Head/ Director Level with an exceptional track record of success, to join our Relationship Banking Legal Team. The incumbent will be responsible for all aspects of regulatory including policy, strategic initiatives and change for Absa group wide. Engage Executives on matters pertaining to the business, regulators and report to the General Counsel on all aspects of legal and regulatory risk. The ideal candidate will have 8-10 years PQE, banking and financial regulatory experience.

Other responsibilities include, but not limited to:

• Take responsibility for management of regulatory risks, including identifying risk areas and working with stakeholders to remediate.
• Own the Regulatory Risk Framework of Relationship Banking and ultimately, for the Group and ensure it is properly embedded and accurately interpreted to reflect regulatory requirements and ethical standards so that well-informed, ethical and responsible decisions can be reached
• Develop, motivate and manage people. Recognise performance, provide appropriate interventions and opportunities, and address poor performance.
• Set clear objectives and responsibilities for each individual
• Proactively absorb new regulatory developments to create digestible and precise analysis
• Monitor, control and reduce Regulatory Relations’ internal and external spend while remaining within the Group’s Risk appetite as determined by the board
• Lead a highly motivated Regulatory function which takes accountability for the regulatory and reputational risks falling within this function.

Education and Experience

• B Comm Law and LLB; or B A Law and LLB; or B Juris and LLB; or BProc and LLB
• Knowledge of banking business and products, especially lending products
• Understanding of regulatory laws
• Familiarity of high-profile financial sector regulatory reform.
• 8-10 years PQE
• Banking and financial regulatory experience.

Education

• Postgraduate Degrees and Professional Qualifications: Law (Required)