Hybrid Foreign Banks Network Management Head bei FirstRand

Job Description

Hello Future Head- Network Management (CIB Foreign Banks)!

RMB is a place where exceptional people create their own opportunities by challenging the conventional and driving sustainable impact.
United by our proud heritage, strong ethics and philosophy of traditional values. Innovative ideas, it’s the magic of our people and culture that sets us apart.
Now is the time to imagine your next move with South Africa’s number one employer in Financial Services for 2025, where you can embrace the power of collective thinking to unlock unique opportunities for our clients and society.

Are you a strategic operator with deep expertise in SWIFT networks, international payment routing, and settlement via nostro accounts? Do you understand the intricacies of Rand clearing via vostro accounts for foreign banks and thrive in high-stakes environments where diplomacy and delivery go hand in hand?
We’re looking for a seasoned professional to lead our Foreign Banks Network Management function. This is a mission-critical role enabling the bank to make and receive foreign payments, maintain global banking relationships, and navigate complex regulatory and operational landscapes.

What you will do:

• Manage and optimize our global custody, cash, and clearing network.

• Lead onboarding of Financial Institutions: KYC, T&Cs, SLAs.

• Drive service excellence and resolve bottlenecks through strategic KPIs.

• Navigate internal capacity constraints and lobby for execution support.

• Stay ahead of industry reforms, SWIFT updates, and AML/CFT standards.

• Create solutions to meet customer demands.

• Deliver internal and external customer service excellence through adherence to quality service standards.

• Ensure compliance with relevant statutory, legislative, policy and governance requirements in area of accountability.

• Provide input into the development of the tactical strategy and develop and implement a supporting operational strategy.

• Oversee the operational processes in the African subsidiaries and represent business interests with the foreign banking institutions.

• Manage third party Financial Market Infrastructures with a primary focus on Cash, Custody and Triparty Agent Bank providers.

• Track adherence to existing and emerging regulatory obligations and pay particular attention to Client Money and Client Asset protection, data privacy and Sanctions.

• Support Regulatory and Market Change projects and initiatives to ensure adherence and delivery within mandated timelines.

• Pursue internal and external commercial opportunities to optimise Business Unit cost of income including conducting fee negotiations and identifying operational efficiencies.

• Manage control environment associated with these third-Party Suppliers to ensure adherence to policy, contractual obligations, and general risk oversight/issue resolution.

• Drive agreed Firm-wide strategy regarding provision of post-trade services from external suppliers, including leading on New Market Entries, executing Request for Proposals etc.

• Communicate Financial Market Infrastructure performance to senior and middle management and where required instigate action plans to remedy underperformance.

• Engage in effective documentation management in terms of accessibility and security. Improved process / system efficiencies.

• Ensure all intrinsic documentation is filed in the safe.

• Box and send non-intrinsic documentation to Metrofile.

• Identify process and system inefficiencies/issues and liaise with BT to take remedial action.

• Diarise international insurance premium payment dates in Task View and remind Transaction Manager to ensure payment is made.

• Perform ad hoc administrative functions as required (e.g. submitting matured Promissory Notes / bank cheques to Transaction Managers for processing).

• Field ad-hoc report requests and assist with data enquiries from various areas of the business within SSD Help maintain and document a reporting calendar of operational and MI activities through the year.

• Ensure that the organisation, SSD and Service Management procedures, processes, policies and guidelines are adhered to.

• Actively participate in the SSD Service Management projects through contributing innovative ideas regarding service enhancements.

You'll be the ideal candidate if you have:

• 5 to 8 years’ experience in a similar environment, of which 2 to 3 years are at management level

• Deep understanding of SWIFT, SADC payment flows, and settlement mechanics.

• Strong grasp of regulatory and operational requirements for FI onboarding.

• Exceptional communication and relationship management skills.

• Strategic mindset with operational execution capability.

• Political acumen and diplomatic finesse to manage sensitive issues.

• Bachelors/Post Graduate Degree in Finance or Commerce or International Affairs or Economics; Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) -

• Registered Stockbroker - Member of the Institute of South African Stockbrokers - Registered Persons Exams RPE

You will have access to: 

• Opportunities to network and collaborate

• Opportunities to innovate

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

 

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Job Details

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

29/07/25