Head of Investor Services: Custody and Trustee Banking
Absa · Sandton, Gauteng
Overview
Lead Absa's Custody and Investor Services business in Sandton. This senior role combines deep securities services expertise with commercial leadership to shape a competitive custody proposition for domestic, regional and global clients. You will set strategic direction and take accountability for financial and operational performance across clients, operations, products and sales.
About the role
Absa Corporate and Investment Banking is looking for a Head of Investor Services to lead its Custody and Trustee business. You will own the end-to-end business, from strategic direction and financial performance to client service and operational excellence.
What you will do:
- Lead efficient, high-throughput custody operations across equities, bonds, money markets and corporate actions, plus trustee services covering fund accounting and mandate compliance.
- Deliver a unified custody proposition for domestic, multi-domestic, regional and global clients.
- Use performance scorecards to set direction, coach colleagues and build key talent while engaging senior stakeholders.
- Shape an insights-led product proposition, own long-term commercial viability, and drive revenue-enhancing and efficiency programmes.
- Lead product management across design, development and go-to-market execution.
- Maintain a robust, compliant control environment that balances risk appetite with growth ambitions.
To apply, send in your CV via Absa's official careers site. The application link is provided on this page.
Requirements
- A relevant bachelor's degree. A postgraduate degree will be advantageous.
- 15 years of technical experience and over 5 years of people management experience.
- Experience in product management.
- Product development experience supported by a thorough understanding of market instruments and the custody and trustee business.
- Experience managing large profit and loss portfolios in a banking environment.
- A bachelor's degree or advanced diploma in Business, Commerce and Management Studies is required.
Responsibilities
- Lead custody operations across equities, bonds, money markets and corporate actions, together with trustee services covering fund accounting and mandate compliance.
- Set strategic direction and take accountability for the financial and operational performance of the Custody Services business.
- Deliver a unified, consistent custody proposition that meets the needs of domestic, multi-domestic, regional and global clients.
- Use performance scorecards to identify emerging challenges and act promptly on negative trends.
- Coach and develop colleagues, build key talent, share best practice and strengthen teamwork.
- Shape a team culture that connects a positive colleague experience with excellent customer service and strong financial performance.
- Shape an insights-led product proposition that supports CIB's strategy and responds to clients' evolving needs.
- Own the long-term commercial viability of the product, including distribution and middle- and back-office capabilities.
- Drive revenue-enhancing and efficiency programmes that optimise costs and improve the customer experience.
- Lead centres of product excellence and innovation, anticipating market developments and product trends.
- Lead product management across design, development and go-to-market execution.
- Maintain a robust, compliant control environment that balances risk appetite and customer demand with growth ambitions.
Job details
- Organisation
- Absa
- Location
- Sandton, Gauteng
- Job type
- Full time
- Experience level
- Executive (15+ years)
- Education
- Bachelor
- Category
- Banking & Insurance
- Posted
- 5 November 2026 (2 days ago)
- Application Method
- Apply online
Success Guide
This is a senior leadership role, so your application should go beyond a standard CV. Highlight your experience managing large P&L portfolios in banking, specifically within custody and trustee services. Show how you have led product development and driven commercial growth. In interviews, expect questions about how you balance risk and compliance with business growth, and how you develop teams. Absa values diversity and inclusion, so feel free to mention any relevant leadership in transformation or inclusive workplace initiatives. Make sure your CV clearly states your years of technical and people management experience. Use the official Absa careers link to apply.
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