A
Collections and Recoveries Team Leader at Absa Bank Limited
Absa Bank Limited
September 09, 2026
Full-time
On-site
Job Summary
Responsible for managing the productivity of collections and recoveries agents by providing direction, instructions and guidance, for the purpose of achieving set targets within policy guidelines and regulations to minimize credit losses.
Engaging 3rd party service providers providing collections and recoveries services
Maintaining accurate records of customer communication relating to allocated portfolio
Training, Monitoring and evaluation of internal recoveries agents and external debt collection agencies
Ensuring external debt collection agencies deliver results on allocated portfolio
Job Description
Key accountabilities/Deliverables/Outcomes
Business Management - 30%
Manage SME and Consumer business segment collections and recoveries as agreed with the line manager
Drive and deliver excellent performance against agreed stretch targets while leading a team
Be a contact point for customer escalations on collection and recoveries related matters affecting the team
Drive and ensure completion of appropriate and timely collection actions by team in line with broad policy guidelines, collections strategy, process and regulatory requirements to prevent further aging of the credit facilities and prevent deterioration of portfolio
Customer Obsession - 20%
Support team with correspondences to customer to ensure that the team's collection portfolio operates well and that subsequent action to be taken on the account, if required, are not unduly delayed
Embed world class customer service and standards at all times
Be the first point of contact/escalation/resolution of customer issues affecting the team.
Analyze customer issues, queries, complaints to determine root cause and deliver tactical and strategic improvements to team portfolio
People and Teamwork - 30%
Provide regular performance related coaching and feedback ensuring a highly motivated and energized team with the capacity of achieving optimal performance levels
Monitor team members' participation via real-time call monitoring to ensure the
training they are being provided is being put into use, and also to see if any additional training is needed
Work with minimum supervision and ensure, that the line reports are kept fully informed always on all matters to be addressed within the team
Build effective relationships with branch network and key support functions that will improve overall collections performance
Constantly seek to improve ways of working by challenging the status quo and supporting an empowering climate within the team, sharing knowledge, experience, and best practice with a view of improving performance
Embed performance management and personal development objectives for direct reports by developing and agreeing on individual performance objectives and measures
Pursue self-development to increase personal effectiveness, acknowledging strengths and areas for development
Ensure leave plan for the team is in place and adhered to
Controls (Mandatory for all roles) - 20%
Ensure that the team delivers on collection control requirements in a robust and rigorous control environment
Adherence to banking policies and procedures
Ensure operational standards are maintained by team with achievement of high quality, manageable cost and high service level standards
Review collections systems to ensure that they are adequately updated by team members with appropriate collection actions and taking necessary actions where this is not adhered to
Undertake timely review and actioning of collections daily, weekly and monthly reports on the team's portfolio of credit facilities and take appropriate actions in line with policy guidelines.
Identify risks in the collection's environment and drive for effective measures to mitigate the risks
Support collections and recoveries to achieve satisfactory audit ratings
Role/Person Specification
Qualification
University degree or equivalent professional qualification
High degree of interpersonal skills when dealing with a range of people and situations.
A good understanding of Absa Retail Group Credit Policies, collection & recoveries, Policy and collection& recoveries strategy
Good knowledge of the general canons of good lending and credit risk assessment
Basic knowledge of the bank's customer service standards
Understanding of the retail customer proposition and services
Understanding of banking and debt management systems
Good computer skills and ability to learn new software/applications quickly
Knowledge of the Bank's bookkeeping procedures and systems
Experience
Understanding of the local competitor market
Experience in operations management
Customer service experience
Relationship management experience
Basic Risk Management techniques
External debt collection agencies operations
External vendors engagement model
Responsible for managing the productivity of collections and recoveries agents by providing direction, instructions and guidance, for the purpose of achieving set targets within policy guidelines and regulations to minimize credit losses.
Engaging 3rd party service providers providing collections and recoveries services
Maintaining accurate records of customer communication relating to allocated portfolio
Training, Monitoring and evaluation of internal recoveries agents and external debt collection agencies
Ensuring external debt collection agencies deliver results on allocated portfolio
Job Description
Key accountabilities/Deliverables/Outcomes
Business Management - 30%
Manage SME and Consumer business segment collections and recoveries as agreed with the line manager
Drive and deliver excellent performance against agreed stretch targets while leading a team
Be a contact point for customer escalations on collection and recoveries related matters affecting the team
Drive and ensure completion of appropriate and timely collection actions by team in line with broad policy guidelines, collections strategy, process and regulatory requirements to prevent further aging of the credit facilities and prevent deterioration of portfolio
Customer Obsession - 20%
Support team with correspondences to customer to ensure that the team's collection portfolio operates well and that subsequent action to be taken on the account, if required, are not unduly delayed
Embed world class customer service and standards at all times
Be the first point of contact/escalation/resolution of customer issues affecting the team.
Analyze customer issues, queries, complaints to determine root cause and deliver tactical and strategic improvements to team portfolio
People and Teamwork - 30%
Provide regular performance related coaching and feedback ensuring a highly motivated and energized team with the capacity of achieving optimal performance levels
Monitor team members' participation via real-time call monitoring to ensure the
training they are being provided is being put into use, and also to see if any additional training is needed
Work with minimum supervision and ensure, that the line reports are kept fully informed always on all matters to be addressed within the team
Build effective relationships with branch network and key support functions that will improve overall collections performance
Constantly seek to improve ways of working by challenging the status quo and supporting an empowering climate within the team, sharing knowledge, experience, and best practice with a view of improving performance
Embed performance management and personal development objectives for direct reports by developing and agreeing on individual performance objectives and measures
Pursue self-development to increase personal effectiveness, acknowledging strengths and areas for development
Ensure leave plan for the team is in place and adhered to
Controls (Mandatory for all roles) - 20%
Ensure that the team delivers on collection control requirements in a robust and rigorous control environment
Adherence to banking policies and procedures
Ensure operational standards are maintained by team with achievement of high quality, manageable cost and high service level standards
Review collections systems to ensure that they are adequately updated by team members with appropriate collection actions and taking necessary actions where this is not adhered to
Undertake timely review and actioning of collections daily, weekly and monthly reports on the team's portfolio of credit facilities and take appropriate actions in line with policy guidelines.
Identify risks in the collection's environment and drive for effective measures to mitigate the risks
Support collections and recoveries to achieve satisfactory audit ratings
Role/Person Specification
Qualification
University degree or equivalent professional qualification
High degree of interpersonal skills when dealing with a range of people and situations.
A good understanding of Absa Retail Group Credit Policies, collection & recoveries, Policy and collection& recoveries strategy
Good knowledge of the general canons of good lending and credit risk assessment
Basic knowledge of the bank's customer service standards
Understanding of the retail customer proposition and services
Understanding of banking and debt management systems
Good computer skills and ability to learn new software/applications quickly
Knowledge of the Bank's bookkeeping procedures and systems
Experience
Understanding of the local competitor market
Experience in operations management
Customer service experience
Relationship management experience
Basic Risk Management techniques
External debt collection agencies operations
External vendors engagement model