Executive: Channel Partnerships

Empowering Africa’s tomorrow, together…one story at a time.

Job Summary

Lead the development and execution of partnership channel strategies and integrated value propositions across Integrated Channels, leveraging strategic partnerships, workplace banking, mobile sales and digital capabilities to deliver sustainable customer growth, revenue generation, and enhanced customer value. Accountable for commercial performance, proposition innovation, stakeholder alignment, and the scalable execution of partner-led banking solutions across employee, community and ecosystem segments.

Job Description

Preferred Education

• Minimum B-degree (NQF level 7)

• Desired Post Graduate Degree (NQF level 8+)

Preferred Experience

• 10+ years' experience in banking, channel management, partnerships, or proposition leadership.

• 5-8 years' experience in a senior leadership role driving commercial growth.

• Proven success in developing strategic partnerships and ecosystem-based growth solutions.

• Experience leading cross-functional initiatives across Product, Technology, Analytics, Marketing, and Sales.

• Strong track record in commercial negotiations, customer acquisition, and value proposition execution.

• Experience driving digital transformation and channel innovation in a regulated environment.

Knowledge and Skills

• Strategic partnership and ecosystem development.

• Customer Value Proposition (CVP) design and management.

• Workplace banking, financial inclusion, and segment-based strategies.

• Commercial growth, customer acquisition, and revenue optimisation.

• Digital transformation and customer journey design.

• Sales enablement, fulfilment, and performance management.

• Data-driven decision-making and performance analytics.

• Market, competitor, and industry insight.

• Executive stakeholder management and relationship building.

• Influencing, negotiation, and communication skills.

• Strategic thinking, systems thinking, and change leadership.

• Strong customer focus and commercial acumen.

Key accountabilities

Accountability: Define the Value Proposition

• Develop and execute partnership strategies aligned to the Distribution strategy that drive customer acquisition, revenue growth, and market expansion across Integrated Channels, through the establishment of strategic partnerships and ecosystem opportunities that enhance customer value propositions and deliver sustainable commercial growth.

• Lead the negotiation, structuring, and execution of strategic partnership agreements, ensuring commercially viable terms, appropriate risk management, regulatory compliance, and alignment with the bank's growth, customer value proposition, and long-term ecosystem objectives.

• Design segmented solutions across credit, savings, insurance, and investment based on employee financial life stages.

• Establish clear product scope strategies (comprehensive vs. minimal offering) depending on business model viability.

• Collaborate with Product, Technology, Analytics, Marketing, Business Banking, and Corporate and Investment Banking teams to deliver integrated customer solutions and support commercial objectives.

Accountability: Strategic Partnerships, Commercial Performance and Value Realisation

• Define target market segmentation based on business size, industry, workforce demographics, and geographic footprint.

• Partner with analytics to identify and prioritize high-impact employer groups.

• Build interlock mechanisms with Business Banking and Corporate & Investment Banking to align client engagement and deepen relationships.

• Develop and implement structured partnership performance frameworks, including partner scorecards, value realization metrics, benefit tracking, risk assessments, financial sustainability reviews, and executive reporting to measure partnership effectiveness and commercial outcomes.

• Establish and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners, facilitating proactive engagement, issue resolution, performance reviews, and continuous improvement initiatives to maximize customer value, partner contribution, and commercial returns.

• Define, implement, and communicate partnership operating models, business rules and standards, to ensure consistent execution of integrated channel propositions and partner-led customer acquisition strategies nationally.

• Measure and report on partnership outcomes, including customer acquisition, revenue generation, proposition uptake, and overall business value delivered.

• Identify emerging market opportunities, strategic alliances, and ecosystem partnerships to strengthen competitive positioning and support long-term channel growth.

Accountability: Build and Lead Dedicated Partner Banking Teams

• Design and lead a Partnership Proposition Specialist team aligned to key account managers, driving workplace banking, mobile sales execution, and partner growth objectives.

• Build specialist capability across sales, financial advisory, digital engagement, and customer acquisition through targeted talent and development strategies.

• Drive consistent execution of workplace and mobile sales initiatives, optimizing sales performance, customer acquisition, product penetration, and digital adoption across partner ecosystems.

• Partner with key stakeholders to identify growth opportunities, enhance customer value propositions, and ensure effective delivery of strategic sales and service outcomes.

Accountability: Enable Through Technology and Data

• Spearhead development of mobile onboarding capabilities, in-field service tools, and digital origination platforms.

• Integrate workplace banking journeys into existing digital channels and apps.

• Work collaboratively with data and technology teams, applying strong influencing skills to drive the design and development of an analytics engine that enables real-time performance measurement, client behaviour insights, and proactive opportunity identification.

Accountability: Customise Marketing and Partner Engagement

• Lead co-branded marketing strategies with employer partners to drive employee uptake.

• Implement on-site and virtual financial wellness and literacy programmes.

• Establish feedback loops to continuously improve offerings and relevance.

Accountability: Future-Proof the Channel

• Expand into emerging services such as wealth, insurance, and financial wellness platforms.

• Monitor macroeconomic, workforce, and generational trends to adapt offerings.

• Evaluate and influence strategic partnerships with a diverse range of 3rd party ecosystems, including payroll providers, fintechs, payment platforms, retail and e-commerce partners, and digital service providers, to extend the bank’s reach, enhance customer value propositions, and unlock new growth opportunities.

Education

Postgraduate Degrees and Professional Qualifications: Business, Commerce and Management Studies

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 achievement of equitable demographic representation of our workforce profile and add to the diversity of the Bank.

Absa Bank Limited reserves the right not to make an appointment to the post as advertised