JOBS: Custody Operations & Service Manager at Absa Bank Limited

Job Description

Custody Operations & Service Manager

Overall Job Purpose

• Execution of custody operations, security settlements, corporate actions, financial markets operations.
• Knowledge of agent banking, sub-custody operations, and clearing
• Provision of first-class Global and Local Custody operations and service oversight.
• The effective handling and authorization of all security transactions on behalf of the bank’s clients and keeping all records up to date in a manner that will reduce the incidence of risk to the bank.
• Ensuring IT security and best practice is maintained and day-to-day smooth running of the securities system.
• Ensuring adherence to all processes and procedures of the function.
• Primary contact with clients ensuring that the quality of service provided is of international standard.

Accountabilities Processes – 50%

• Ability to deal effectively with local market participants including Brokers, Custodians, Fund Managers, Stock Exchange and Depository.
• Ability to deal effectively with Global Custodian on matters relating to daily operations, market information, service levels, etc.
• Processing of settlement transactions and reporting of trade status.
• Checking of funds and holding prior to settlements. In case of failed trades, the same has been updated with correct reasons
• Authorize client trade and corporate actions instructions on the securities system.
• Ensure settlement of trades and corporate actions on the due date.
• Ensuring that maintenance and recording of all transactions are done in a timely manner.
• Ensuring that client receives error-free custody reporting from the system
• Ensure all messages are correctly repaired, canceled, created, and authorized and trades settled on the settlement date
• Oversight of Custody operations like corporate actions, client entitlements, dividend collection, daily securities & cash reconciliation, and any other duties similar in nature pertaining to the function
• Ensuring 100% accuracy regarding client billing and revenue recoupment.
• Securities system dashboard management to ensure that all daily deliverables are met
• Provide guidance and authorization when dealing with Global markets for FX rates booking and confirmation in respect of clients’ trades and funds repatriation (where needed).
• Ensuring all key controls and assigned tasks are completed in a timely manner.
• Assist in business process re-engineering of the function as may be required.
• Understanding the business, products, and infrastructure and determining gaps or opportunities for productivity improvements.
• Participating in meetings at the operational and project level, providing continuous feedback on project status, UAT Management
• Identify and facilitate issue resolutions and escalate where applicable
• Partner with a number of groups including the product, product development, operations technology, and finance
• Liaising with clients and internal parties to resolve any issues pertaining to custody activity. Ensure real-time escalation of any operational incidents to the head of the

Client Service – 30%

• Adopting a pro-active approach to issues and events that may have significant impacts on the clients.
• Ensuring that all client queries are attended to within a 24hr turnaround time or as per SLA.
• Ensure proper follow-up with clients until resolution of any issues as per Absa Complaint Policy.
• Provide any market information to the client as and when requested (per SLA)
• Attend to Trustee meetings and provide all regulatory information required accurately and within required timelines

Risk Management – 10%

• Critically and logically evaluate information and facts, consider benefits of alternatives before making balanced decisions
• Maintain a good level of control on transactional risk
• Ensure that operations are in strict compliance with local laws, regulations, country and group policies
• Assist in the unit to achieve the goal of no-fail audits and driving forward the quality process
• Ensure compliance with mandatory Risk policies and procedures relating to credit conformance and regulatory, operational, legal risk, and financial crime.
• Escalating significant risk events and concerns to Senior Management as soon as these are identified
• Ensuring effective risk management and controls and governance of the unit
• Ensure robust ongoing monitoring and control and that sound judgment is exercised at all times.

Teamwork – 10%

• Implement a team culture that focuses on customer service and service delivery.
• Manage and retain key stakeholder relationships and focus on building strategic relationships with key decision-makers.
• Manage and coordinate custody client engagement efforts across relevant business units
• Participate in customer surveys (internal and external)
• Participate fully in your Performance Development, continue to proactively develop yourself, and undertake relevant training (including sales process, product, industry, etc.).
• Seek, share and embed best practices both locally and regionally
• Fosters collaboration, drives cohesion and teamwork across various areas in the bank
• Challenge the team to continuously question the way they do things to ensure the team and business do not stagnate
• Role model from governance, compliance, and regulatory perspective within the team
• Support, coach, and develop team members
• Seek, share and embed best practices across the team and in delivering to the clients

Person Specification

Skills required for the role:

• University degree in a Business-related area from a recognized institution.
• A Master’s degree in Finance or a Business-related field will be an added advantage
• Developed Business awareness in the capital markets space
• 5 years - experience in banking
• 3-4 years of relevant work experience in custody operations and service
• Exposure to regional and domestic settlement operations & Swift
• Knowledge of various settlement markets and swift message formatting in key
• Knowledge of allied products like corporate action, fund management, and reference data will be an added advantage
• Ability to navigate the regulatory landscape
• Understand business risks, client base, and geopolitical environment
• Strong problems solving capability
• Product Knowledge
• Presentation Skills
• Client engagement
• Inter-personal skills
• Communication skills, both oral & written
• Good grasp of IT skills including word, excel, access, PowerPoint. Knowledge of the Custody Plus system will be an added advantage
• Customer Service focus and attention to detail

Education

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