Manager: Model Development

Manager: Model Development at Absa Group Empowering Africa’s tomorrow, together…one story at a time. With over 100 years of history, Absa offers a career to be part of growth and to shape our destiny as a proudly African group. Overview Role: Manage the development and continuous enhancement of models within Retail portfolios by playing a leading technical role in the entire credit risk model build, implementation, and governance lifecycle. Serve as a technical advisor to Model Development Analysts and modelers across the wider team. Responsibilities Stakeholder management: Engage with key stakeholders across the business to reflect objectives, concerns and priorities in the solutions; facilitate timely delivery of requests via email, group meetings and one-on-one discussions; tailor interpretation of results to the audience using appropriate presentation tools. Explain methodologies and analyses for internal and external audit, including SARB PA and representatives’ requests; generate appropriate challenge by discussing model build detail and ideas. Expert Consultancy: Stay abreast of industry trends, provide general consultancy within the cluster (validation and challenge of models, business forecasting, trend analyses), and present results to Technical Committees and Forums; participate in external market scans to prepare for future challenges. Provide directional expertise to enhance model building skills, transfer knowledge, and support proof of concepts of new software as required. Model Development: Obtain theoretical understanding and practical application of model methodologies; ensure developments and documentation adhere to standards; present checkpoints and results to Model Owners and CROs; incorporate business feedback into the model building process. Communicate results and recommendations to Absa areas (e.g., weekly Technical Discussions); ensure analysis, development code, and workings are stored with proper version control. Ensure timely submissions to IVU per Model Validation Requirements; provide support to IVU, Internal and External Audit during reviews; adjust models as needed. Support implementation teams to ensure successful governance and monitoring, including Post-Implementation Review and adherence to the Group Model Risk Policy (GMRP). Ensure first round of monitoring packs are prepared for the Central Monitoring team per the monitoring plan. Governance and Adherence: Follow SAS Model Risk Manager (MRM) governance; keep Absa policies and standards up to date and ensure new developments align; notify senior management of non-adherence and participate in gap-resolving discussions. Leadership: Contribute to a high-performance culture, lead by example, participate in planning, resource allocation, training and team-building. Continuous self-development and growth: Stay abreast of relevant soft and technical skills; identify and pursue training; develop a plan with the line manager for career growth. Education & Experience Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics, Statistics, BMI or Actuarial Sciences. Other listed bachelor/advanced diplomas in Business, Commerce and Management Studies may be required. Experience: 7+ years of experience at a specialist level in a similar environment; knowledge of impairment modelling and SAS proficiency is advantageous. EEO Statement 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 equitable demographic representation and diversity of the Bank. Absa Bank Limited reserves the right not to make an appointment to the post as advertised. Note: This posting contains only current responsibilities and qualifications; other duties may be assigned as required. #J-18808-Ljbffr