Standard Bank Group is a leading Africa-focused financial services group, and an innovative player on the global stage, that offers a variety of career-enhancing opportunities – plus the chance to work alongside some of the sector’s most talented, motivated professionals. Our clients range from individuals, to businesses of all sizes, high net worth families and large multinational corporates and institutions. We’re passionate about creating growth in Africa. Bringing true, meaningful value to our clients and the communities we serve and creating a real sense of purpose for you.

To lead the acquisition, activation and profitable growth of new-to-bank micro, small and medium-sized business clients across designated markets, sectors, ecosystems and digital channels. The role translates the Business and Commercial Banking strategy into a structured acquisition plan and leads the sales team to deliver quality client growth, deposits, transaction activity, lending opportunities, fee income and cross-sell, while ensuring compliance with customer due diligence, credit, conduct, data protection, financial crime and operational risk requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the annual acquisition and sales plan aligned to Business and Commercial Banking strategy.
• Identify attractive client pools using customer data, industry information, market intelligence and value-chain analysis.
• Maintain a qualified pipeline and support complex pitches, high-value prospects and strategic ecosystem opportunities.
• Deliver agreed targets for new-to-bank clients, deposits, transaction activity, fee income, merchant and collections income, digital usage, lending opportunities, cross-sell, retention and profitability.
• Drive end-to-end digital acquisition from prospect identification and online lead management through onboarding, activation and cross-sell.
• Originate and manage relationships with associations, cooperatives, aggregators, marketplaces, distributors, anchor corporates, fintechs and ecosystem partners.
• Ensure adherence to KYC, customer due diligence, AML/CFT/CPF, sanctions, beneficial ownership, fraud, credit, consumer protection, data privacy, information security, records management, conflicts and anti-bribery requirements.

• First Degree in Business Administration, Economics, Finance, Accounting, Marketing, Banking or a related discipline.

Experience Required

• Minimum 7 years relevant experience in business banking, commercial banking, SME banking, client acquisition, relationship management, payments, merchant services or financial-services sales.
• At least 2 - 3 years experience in leading a sales, acquisition or relationship-management team, with measurable delivery of customer, deposit, transaction and revenue growth.

Behavioural Competencies:

• Adopting Practical Approaches
• Articulating Information
• Challenging Ideas
• Convincing People
• Directing People
• Exploring Possibilities
• Following Procedures
• Generating Ideas
• Making Decisions
• Producing Output
• Providing Insights
• Understanding People

Technical Competencies:

• Application & Submission Verification (Business Banking)
• Customer Acceptance & Review (Business Banking)
• Customer Understanding (Business Banking)
• Product Knowledge (Business Banking)