Strategic Business Execution Lead: Driving Growth and Governance at Citi South Africa

At Citi South Africa, we are committed to fostering business growth while ensuring robust governance and control mechanisms. The Middle East and Africa (MEA) Banking and International Business Execution team plays a critical role in executing strategic initiatives, streamlining governance models, and reinforcing risk controls. The Business Execution (BE) Lead in South Africa will be instrumental in supporting the Chief Country Officer (CCO) and Banking Head in enhancing operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and transformation execution.

Key Responsibilities

Driving Business Growth and Client Strategy

• Lead strategic client-focused initiatives to drive business growth.
• Collaborate with the CCO, Banking Head, and leadership teams to identify and implement business-enabling initiatives.
• Oversee strategic programs, ensuring effective execution and reporting.
• Maintain an efficient and compliant Legal Entity governance model aligned with Citi’s policies.
• Monitor franchise performance against predefined scorecards and drive accountability within the team.
• Foster connectivity within the Legal Entity and broader MEA cluster, ensuring timely issue escalation.
• Coordinate regulatory engagements, driving compliance and advocacy efforts.
• Manage annual business reviews, strategic planning, and expense control.
• Oversee implementation of key initiatives under Citi’s Transformation Program.

Strengthening Risk and Control Frameworks

• Cultivate a proactive risk management culture.
• Ensure governance models address all financial and non-financial risks per Citi’s global policies and local regulatory requirements.
• Utilize the Manager Control Assessment (MCA) framework to enhance risk control effectiveness.
• Implement best practices in issue management and ensure timely remediation efforts.
• Coordinate risk escalations and manage operational risk controls, including third-party and data governance oversight.
• Drive compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) and sanctions regulations.
• Oversee financial risk management, including Internal Capital Adequacy Assessment Process (ICAAP) oversight.
• Manage audit processes and independent reviews in collaboration with Citi’s Independent Compliance Risk Management (ICRM) team.

Legal Entity Management and Governance

• Support the CCO and Banking Head in maintaining a robust governance framework.
• Ensure alignment with Citi’s corporate governance policies and local regulatory requirements.
• Monitor and drive franchise performance in adherence to strategic objectives.
• Promote seamless connectivity between the South African entity and MEA cluster governance structures.
• Partner with business and functional teams to enhance operational synergies.
• Drive accountability for regulatory compliance and ensure proactive engagement with regulatory bodies.

Development Opportunities

This role provides unparalleled exposure to senior leadership and strategic decision-making processes within a global financial institution. It offers hands-on experience in business execution, governance, and risk management while shaping the operational strategy of Citi South Africa. The Business Execution Lead will play a pivotal role in driving transformation and ensuring the effective execution of business objectives.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in financial services, with expertise in business execution, risk management, or program management.
• A postgraduate degree in Business Administration or a related field.
• Strong knowledge of corporate governance, risk management, and regulatory compliance.
• Prior experience in Citi or familiarity with Citi’s operational framework is an advantage.

Essential Skills and Competencies

• Business acumen and client-centric mindset.
• Strong leadership and execution capabilities.
• Excellent organizational and program management skills.
• Ability to drive risk management and accountability within teams.
• Effective communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• Strategic problem-solving abilities and critical thinking.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to influence stakeholders.

Join Citi South Africa in Driving Business Excellence

Citi South Africa offers a dynamic environment where professionals can contribute to shaping the future of banking while ensuring operational excellence. If you are passionate about business execution, governance, and risk management, this role presents an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact within a leading global financial institution.

Alternative Titles:

1. Strategic Business Execution Lead: Driving Growth and Governance at Citi South Africa
2. Enhancing Business Execution: Key Role in Risk, Governance, and Growth
3. Business Execution Leadership: Shaping the Future of Citi South Africa
4. Mastering Business Strategy and Risk Control in a Global Banking Environment
5. Empowering Operational Excellence: Citi South Africa’s Business Execution Role