Product Manager - Unsecured Lending

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

Job Summary

To own and drive the end-to-end performance, strategy, and lifecycle management of the Unsecured Lending product portfolio. The role is accountable for product profitability, growth, customer value proposition, risk alignment, and delivery of strategic initiatives in line with business objectives.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

Product Strategy & Roadmap

Define and execute the Unsecured Lending product strategy aligned to overall PPB strategy.

Develop and manage the product roadmap (including STP / strategic initiatives).

Identify growth opportunities across new-to-bank and existing customers.

Drive innovation to improve competitiveness and market positioning.

 

Financial & Commercial Management

Own product P&L performance (revenue, margin, impairments, cost-to-income).

Monitor pricing, yield optimisation, and portfolio performance.

Drive sales growth while balancing risk appetite and credit performance.

Ensure strong forecasting and financial planning.

 

Risk & Credit Alignment

Partner with Credit, Risk, and Analytics to: Align to risk appetite frameworks

Monitor impairments, NPL trends, and early arrears

Optimise approval rates and cut-off strategies

Ensure regulatory compliance and responsible lending practices.

 

Customer & UX Ownership

Embed a strong customer lens into product design and enhancements.

Identify friction points across the customer journey (digital, branch, call centre).

Drive improvements in conversion, onboarding, and customer experience.

Monitor NPS, complaints, and drop-off analytics.

 

Channel & Distribution Management

Optimise performance across channels (Digital, Branch, Assisted, Campaigns).

Partner with Marketing on campaign effectiveness and lead conversion.

Benchmark channel maturity against competitors and define roadmap to peer leader level.

 

Stakeholder Management

Work cross-functionally with: Risk & Credit

·        Finance

·        Marketing

·        Digital & Technology

·        Operations

·        Legal & Compliance

Present performance updates to UL PL MBR forums.

Drive alignment across multiple stakeholders to deliver product outcomes.

 

Governance & Compliance

Ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements (e.g. NCA and related frameworks).

Maintain product documentation, approvals, and audit readiness.

Manage product risk events and remediation where required.

 

Minimum Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Economics or related field

5–8+ year’s experience in:

·        Retail Banking

·        Credit / Lending

·        Product Management

Strong financial acumen (P&L ownership experience preferred)

Experience working with credit risk models and unsecured lending portfolios

 

Key Competencies

·        Strategic thinking

·        Commercial acumen

·        Analytical capability

·        Strong stakeholder influence

·        Execution & delivery focus

·        Customer-centric mindset

 

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

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