This fixed-term contract opportunity within FNB's Foreign Banks Network Management team calls for a seasoned professional to act as the senior technical subject matter expert. Based in Johannesburg, this role is crucial for overseeing complex specialist activities related to correspondent banking, foreign currency clearing, and nostro and custody arrangements across the FirstRand Group. The successful candidate will work closely with the Operations Manager, providing essential expertise in KYC and regulatory governance, monitoring provider performance, managing payment escalations, and driving strategic initiatives within the network.

About the Role

The core of this position revolves around providing deep technical judgement and leadership. You will be the go-to person for intricate matters that extend beyond standard operational procedures, ensuring the integrity and efficiency of the group's foreign banking network. This involves staying abreast of evolving industry trends, regulatory changes, and market dynamics that impact correspondent banking operations. A key aspect of the role is to support commercial negotiations and provider selection processes by offering well-researched technical input, market intelligence, and thorough analysis.

Your responsibilities will encompass several key areas:

• **Specialist Subject Matter Leadership:** Serve as the primary technical authority on correspondent banking, foreign currency clearing, nostro and custody operations. Offer guidance on complex issues, ensuring adherence to best practices and operational excellence.
• **KYC, RMA, and Regulatory Governance:** Lead the specialist handling of complex Know Your Customer (KYC), Relationship Management Arrangement (RMA), and Request for Information (RFI) processes with correspondent banks. Uphold the group's governance framework and collaborate closely with Legal, Compliance, and Financial Crime departments on regulatory matters.
• **Provider Performance and Service Oversight:** Conduct structured service reviews with correspondent banks, monitor their performance against agreed service levels, and drive remediation efforts for any identified deficiencies. Cultivate and maintain professional relationships with external banking counterparts.
• **Payment Escalation Leadership:** Act as the senior specialist point of escalation for unresolved correspondent banking payment issues. Collaborate with internal operations teams to ensure timely resolution and incorporate lessons learned into the operational model.
• **Commercial and Negotiation Support:** Provide technical input, analysis, and benchmarking to support commercial negotiations and the selection of providers. Contribute to the formulation and assessment of Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and RFIs, and track the value delivered through commercial outcomes.
• **Strategic Initiative Contribution:** Lend your specialist expertise to the design and execution of network-related strategic initiatives. Partner with Product, Operations, Technology, and external providers to ensure technically sound and well-governed delivery.

What They're Looking For

To excel in this role, candidates will need a strong foundation in correspondent banking, combined with sharp analytical skills and a disciplined approach to operations. The ability to work independently at a senior level is essential, as is the credibility to engage effectively with senior internal stakeholders and external correspondent banking partners.

**Essential Qualifications and Experience:**

• A relevant Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Banking, Economics, Accounting, or a similar field. A postgraduate qualification would be an added advantage.
• Between 4 to 7 years of comprehensive banking experience, with a deep understanding of correspondent banking, foreign currency clearing, nostro and custody operations, or international payments.
• Proven experience operating autonomously in a specialist capacity within an investment, corporate, or commercial banking environment.
• Demonstrated experience in engaging with senior internal stakeholders and external correspondent bank counterparts.

**Key Knowledge and Skills:**

• **Technical Expertise:** A solid grasp of correspondent banking principles, structures, and operating models. Familiarity with international payments, foreign currency clearing and settlement processes, SWIFT messaging standards, nostro account operations, custody arrangements, and relevant regulatory frameworks (KYC, AML, sanctions).
• **Analytical Capability:** Proficiency in advanced Microsoft Excel and comfort in working with transactional and operational datasets. The ability to derive insights and make data-led decisions is crucial.
• **Commercial Acumen:** Experience in vendor performance management, structured service oversight, pricing analysis, benchmarking, and market intelligence.
• **Operational Excellence:** Knowledge of process design, operational control, service management, and risk and control management.

This role offers a unique opportunity to leverage your expertise within a leading financial institution. In South Africa, specialist roles in network management and international payments within major banks typically command competitive remuneration packages, reflecting the critical nature of these functions. Career progression can lead to broader operational management, strategic oversight of payment systems, or senior positions within treasury or financial markets divisions.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Relevant Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Banking, Economics, Accounting, or a related discipline. Postgraduate qualification in a related field will be advantageous.
• 4 to 7 years of banking experience, with deep exposure to correspondent banking, foreign currency clearing, nostro and custody operations, or international payments.
• Demonstrated experience operating independently in a specialist role within an investment, corporate or commercial banking environment.
• Experience engaging with senior internal stakeholders and external correspondent bank counterparts.

Knowledge and Skills:

Technical Knowledge

• Correspondent banking principles, structures and operating models.
• International payments, foreign currency clearing and settlement structures.
• SWIFT messaging standards and payment message flows.
• Nostro account operations and custody arrangements.
• KYC, AML, sanctions and correspondent banking regulatory frameworks.

Analytical Capability

• Advanced Microsoft Excel.
• Comfort working with transactional and operational datasets.
• Strong data-led decision making and insight generation.

Commercial Capability

• Vendor performance management and structured service oversight.
• Pricing analysis, benchmarking and market intelligence.

Operational Capability

• Process design and operational control.
• Service management and provider performance oversight.
• Risk and control management.

Are you interested to take the step? We look forward to engaging with you further. Apply now!

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Important Closing Date Note

Take note that applications will not be accepted on the below date and onwards, kindly submit applications ahead of the closing date indicated below.