Head, Business and Commercial Banking

Standard Bank Group is a leading Africa-focused financial services group and an innovative player on the global stage. We offer a wide range of career-enhancing opportunities, alongside the chance to work with some of the most talented and motivated professionals in the industry.

Our clients range from medium-sized businesses to large multinational corporates operating in-country and across Africa. We are passionate about enabling trade, investment, and capital flows across the continent while delivering meaningful value to our clients and the communities we serve.

This is a rare opportunity to lead, shape, and scale a country-level Business & Commercial Banking franchise while playing a critical role in enabling Africa’s cross-border growth agenda. As Head, Business & Commercial Clients, you will own the in-country BCB platform end-to-end, while positioning the country as a key offshore and international hub supporting African commercial clients with expansion, trade, and cross-border banking needs.

This role is suited to a senior banking leader who thrives in complex environments, can balance in-country performance with regional growth priorities, and is motivated by building sustainable franchises that connect local markets with Africa-wide opportunities.

Education Requirements

• Postgraduate Degree in Business or Commerce (Required)

Experience Requirements

• More than 10 years’ senior leadership experience in Corporate Banking or Financial services, including leading a business unit or segment of comparable size and complexity.
• Deep understanding of business and commercial clients operating in-country and across Africa.
• Proven experience delivering strategy, commercial growth, and client value in regulated financial services environments.
• Experience supporting Africa-connected or cross-border business models is advantageous.

Key Outputs

• Lead and manage the end-to-end Business & Commercial Banking value chain in-country, delivering the full suite of products within a medium-complexity regulatory environment.
• Build and lead a diversified in-country BCB franchise focused on priority sectors, while positioning the country as a key hub for African commercial clients with offshore and cross-border needs.
• Enable and execute the Africa Growth and Africa–Offshore strategy through close collaboration with South Africa and Africa Regions, converting Africa-connected opportunities into sustainable revenue.
• Balance strong in-country performance with regional growth objectives, ensuring Africa-connected activity enhances, rather than dilutes, local franchise outcomes.
• Own overall risk management for the BCB franchise, ensuring adherence to governance standards, licence conditions, and Group risk frameworks.

Behavioural Competencies

• Developing Strategies
• Establishing Rapport
• Generating Ideas
• Making Decisions
• Producing Output

Technical Competencies

• Strategic Planning and Reporting
• Financial Acumen
• Business Acumen
• Risk / Reward Thinking
• Economic Capital Management
• Risk Reporting 
• Risk Response Strategy