Senior Specialist: Structuring Analyst

Absa, a prominent African financial institution with a rich history spanning over a century, is seeking to expand its Active Portfolio Management team. The bank is committed to fostering an inclusive environment where all employees can flourish, reflecting its dedication to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) principles. As an equal opportunity employer, Absa welcomes applications from all suitably qualified individuals, and may give preference to candidates from underrepresented designated groups, including persons with disabilities, in line with its Employment Equity objectives. The organisation encourages applicants who may require reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process to make their needs known.

About the Role

This is a critical position within the Active Portfolio Management division, focused on driving portfolio optimisation initiatives. The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting the execution of various structured finance transactions, including portfolio sales and securitisations. The role demands a blend of quantitative analysis, sophisticated financial modelling, and hands-on transaction execution support. A deep understanding of portfolio risk and return dynamics is essential, as is the ability to translate complex analytical findings into practical, strategic recommendations for decision-makers.

The Senior Specialist: Structuring Analyst will be responsible for a range of analytical and transactional duties. This includes the development, maintenance, and enhancement of financial, transaction, and portfolio models. You will perform in-depth quantitative analysis to support the evaluation, structuring, and successful execution of a variety of financial transactions. Furthermore, you will assist with the entire lifecycle of transactions, from initial structuring and ongoing monitoring to post-execution reporting.

Your work will directly support capital, funding, and portfolio optimisation initiatives across the PPB (presumably Personal & Business Banking) balance sheet. A significant part of your role will involve analysing portfolio risk, return, capital, and funding performance to identify opportunities for enhancement and efficiency. You will develop keen quantitative insights into portfolio behaviour, credit performance trends, and the outcomes of various transactions.

Additionally, you will provide crucial support for stress testing, scenario analysis, and portfolio forecasting activities, enabling the organisation to better anticipate and manage potential risks and opportunities. Preparing clear, concise analytical outputs, well-reasoned recommendations, and informative management reports for internal stakeholders will be a regular requirement. Finally, you will contribute to the continuous improvement of the team’s structuring capabilities, methodologies, and analytical toolset.

What They're Looking For

Candidates for this role should possess a strong academic foundation, ideally with a degree in Actuarial Science, Engineering, Financial Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics, or a closely related quantitative discipline. A minimum of five years of experience within the financial services sector is a prerequisite. Prior experience in financial modelling, pricing, analytics, structuring, or risk management within quantitative fields would be highly advantageous.

Essential skills include robust analytical and problem-solving capabilities, coupled with excellent financial modelling and quantitative proficiency. A thorough understanding of portfolio analytics, credit risk principles, and financial modelling concepts is crucial. The ability to articulate complex quantitative concepts effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences is paramount.

Successful candidates will demonstrate meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to delivering high-quality work. A commercially astute mindset is necessary, enabling you to translate analytical findings into actionable recommendations that drive business value. The role also requires a curious, adaptable, and eager-to-learn attitude, along with the ability to collaborate effectively across various stakeholder groups and business functions.

In South Africa, roles involving complex financial structuring and portfolio analysis, particularly at a senior level within large financial institutions like Absa, are typically compensated competitively. While specific figures vary greatly based on experience and the exact scope of responsibilities, such positions often form a significant part of a bank's treasury, risk management, or specialised finance departments. Career progression can lead to more senior analytical roles, management positions within portfolio management or structuring teams, or specialisation in specific areas of structured finance or risk analytics.

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree in Actuarial Science, Engineering, Financial Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics or a related quantitative discipline.
• Experience in financial modelling, pricing, analytics, structuring, risk management or related quantitative fields would be advantageous.
• Must have a minimum of 5 years financial services experience

What We're Looking For

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent financial modelling and quantitative capability.
• Strong understanding of portfolio analytics, credit risk and financial modelling principles.
• Ability to communicate complex quantitative concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to high-quality output.
• Commercial mindset with the ability to convert analysis into actionable recommendations.
• Curiosity, adaptability and a willingness to learn.

Ability to work collaboratively across multiple stakeholders and functions

Education

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