The Director, Digital and Change Enablement will shape and execute the Bank’s future-state business and operating model, ensuring that digital, automation, technology and change investments translate into measurable client, commercial and operational outcomes.
The role will particularly be accountable for:
– accelerating cash automation and digitization across the cash value chain;
– developing and embedding a fit-for-purpose shared operating model that improves scale, efficiency, standardization and service quality;
– accelerating digital adoption across all Bank business segments, ensuring that digital capabilities are embedded into products, propositions, processes and client journeys;
– translating digital adoption into measurable improvements in client experience, engagement, service quality and commercial performance;
– simplifying and redesigning processes, operating structures and customer journeys through automation and technology; and
– ensuring that the Bank derives maximum strategic and commercial value from Absa Group capabilities, platforms, partnerships and investments.
Job Summary
- Employer: ABSA Bank
- Job Type: Full-time
- Location: Gaborone, Botswana
- Category: Project Management
- Closing Date: 2026-10-09
Key Responsibilities
- Shape and execute the Bank’s enterprise transformation agenda in direct alignment with the business strategy and strategic priorities of the Managing Director and Country Management Committee.
- Design and embed a future-state operating model that increases standardization, automation, scalability and accountability while reducing fragmentation, duplication and legacy complexity.
- Lead the development of shared capabilities and shared services operating models across appropriate functions and business segments to unlock economies of scale, improve service consistency and optimize the cost-to-serve.
- Identify opportunities to redesign end-to-end processes rather than simply digitizing existing ways of working.
- Establish clear transformation outcomes, investment priorities, benefits realization measures and executive-level governance.
- Provide strategic leadership for the Bank’s cash automation agenda, identifying opportunities to digitize, automate and optimize cash-management processes and related client journeys.
- Drive the migration from manual and fragmented cash processes towards automated, scalable and digitally enabled solutions.
- Partner with Corporate, Business Banking, Personal and Private Banking as well as other relevant business segments to improve cash-management propositions, transaction flows and client servicing through automation.
- Establish measurable outcomes for cash automation, including efficiency, transaction migration, client adoption, cost-to-serve, control effectiveness and client experience.
- Leverage data, technology, APIs, intelligent automation and emerging capabilities to create a more efficient and digitally enabled cash ecosystem.
- Own the enterprise agenda for digital adoption, working across business segments to ensure that digital capabilities translate into sustained client behavior change.
- Partner with business and product leaders to define adoption strategies for priority digital propositions, channels and journeys.
- Establish a clear linkage between digital adoption and client experience, using data and client insights to understand where digital journeys create value, where friction exists and where intervention is required.
- Develop adoption strategies that move beyond technology deployment to focus on active usage, client migration, engagement, retention and experience.
- Ensure digital adoption is embedded within business performance objectives and is measured through clear commercial, operational and client-experience outcomes.
- Drive consistent and integrated experiences across physical, digital, assisted and self-service channels.
- Shape the Bank’s digital and alternate-channel strategy to support growth, client acquisition, engagement and transaction migration.
- Accelerate adoption of mobile, online, self-service, API-enabled, ecosystem and embedded-finance capabilities where these create strategic advantage.
- Ensure digital propositions are designed around end-to-end client journeys and needs, rather than individual products or channels.
- Identify opportunities to simplify client journeys and remove points of friction through digitisation, automation and data-driven engagement.
- Translate emerging technology and market trends into commercially viable opportunities for the Bank.
- Lead the strategic agenda for process simplification, digitization and intelligent automation across the Bank.
- Prioritise high-value processes based on client impact, strategic importance, cost-to-serve, risk, scalability and value creation.
- Champion the use of automation, artificial intelligence, data and technology to materially improve productivity and service delivery.
- Ensure automation initiatives deliver sustainable benefits and do not simply replicate inefficient legacy processes in digital form.
- Provide strategic direction on the technology capabilities required to enable the Bank’s future business and operating model.
- Optimise the use of Absa Group platforms, capabilities, architecture and investments, while ensuring appropriate flexibility to respond to Botswana-specific market and client requirements.
- Work with Group and country stakeholders to resolve architectural interdependencies and maximise the value of shared technology and digital investments.
- Ensure technology investment decisions are driven by strategic business outcomes, client value and measurable return on investment.
- Establish disciplined governance across the enterprise transformation portfolio, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and effective execution.
- Set and monitor executive-level measures for digital adoption, client migration, client experience, automation, productivity, cost-to-serve, revenue opportunity and benefits realisation.
- Ensure major transformation investments have clear business cases, accountable sponsors, measurable outcomes and robust benefits tracking.
- Provide transparent reporting to the Managing Director and Country Management Committee on progress, risks, value delivery and strategic dependencies.
- Build an enterprise-wide culture that embraces digital adoption, innovation, simplification and continuous improvement.
- Lead organisational change by ensuring that people, processes, technology and leadership behaviours are aligned to the future-state operating model.
- Develop high-performing digital, transformation and change capabilities and build strong partnerships with business, operations, technology, product and client-facing teams.
- Influence senior stakeholders and create alignment across business segments around enterprise transformation priorities.
- Ensure digital, automation and transformation initiatives operate within the Bank’s risk appetite and regulatory requirements.
- Maintain strong oversight of operational resilience, cybersecurity, data, technology risk, compliance and control effectiveness within the transformation agenda.
- Ensure transformation delivers simplification and efficiency without compromising control, resilience or client trust.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Economics, Risk Management, Accounting, Mathematics or related discipline from a recognized university.
- MBA or postgraduate qualification will be an added advantage.
- Senior executive experience leading enterprise transformation, digital adoption, operating model redesign or business transformation within a complex financial-services environment.
- Demonstrable track record of cash automation and transaction/process digitisation, preferably within banking.
- Proven experience designing and implementing shared-services or shared operating models that deliver measurable efficiency and service improvements.
- Demonstrated success in driving digital adoption across multiple business segments, with evidence of sustained client migration and usage.
- Strong track record of linking digital and operational transformation to client experience, commercial performance, productivity and cost-to-serve.
- Minimum 10 years’ experience in banking or financial services with emphasis on enterprise strategy and transformation leadership.
- At least 5 years in a senior executive or leadership role within a regulated financial institution.
- Demonstrable understanding of operating model and shared-services design.
- Proven experience engaging Boards, regulators and executive leadership teams.
- Experience in digital adoption and client experience transformation.
- Commercial and financial acumen
- Executive stakeholder influence and change leadership
- Strategic and commercial acumen
- Strong governance and regulatory understanding
- Executive leadership and influencing capability
- Excellent analytical and decision-making skills
- Strong stakeholder management capability
- High ethical standards and integrity
- Strong communication and presentation skills
- Ability to operate effectively in a dynamic and evolving environment.
How to Apply
REF Code: R-15991313-2
About the Company
Absa Bank Botswana Limited, formerly known as Barclays Bank of Botswana Limited, is a commercial bank in Botswana, licensed by the Bank of Botswana, the country's central bank and national banking regulator.
Website: https://www.absa.co.bw/personal/
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications and certifications are typically required for a Director, Digital and Change Enablement role at a major bank in Botswana?
Most employers require a bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Business Administration, or Project Management, with an MBA or master's degree often preferred for director-level positions. Professional certifications such as PMP, Prince2, Agile/Scrum, or Prosci Change Management are highly valued in Botswana's banking sector. Additionally, proven experience in digital transformation and leading large-scale change programmes is essential.
What are the typical day-to-day responsibilities of this role in a Botswana banking environment?
You will oversee digital transformation initiatives, manage cross-functional project portfolios, and ensure alignment between technology solutions and business strategy. Daily activities include stakeholder engagement with executives and regulators, mentoring project teams, and monitoring change adoption across branches and digital channels. You will also liaise with the Bank of Botswana on compliance matters related to digital banking services.
How does the local work culture in Botswana's banking sector affect this senior leadership position?
Botswana's workplace culture values respect for hierarchy and consensus-building, so you will need strong relationship skills to navigate decision-making processes. Punctuality and professionalism are expected, with an increasing emphasis on results-driven performance as banks modernise. Understanding local business etiquette and building trust with diverse teams across Gaborone and regional offices is crucial for success.
What realistic career progression paths exist from this director-level position in Botswana?
Progression typically leads to executive roles such as Chief Information Officer, Chief Operations Officer, or Managing Director within the bank or broader financial services sector. Some professionals transition to consulting or join the Bank of Botswana in regulatory leadership positions. Others leverage their experience to serve on boards of state-owned enterprises or fintech startups in the region.
What employee benefits are standard for senior management roles at major banks in Botswana?
Standard benefits include comprehensive medical aid coverage for you and dependents, pension or provident fund contributions, and generous annual leave allowances typically above statutory minimums. Many banks also offer performance bonuses, car allowances or company vehicles, and group life insurance. Some provide housing allowances or mortgage assistance, though this varies by employer and individual negotiation.
What do employers in Botswana specifically look for when hiring for this role, and how should I apply?
Employers prioritise demonstrated success in African or emerging market banking environments, local regulatory knowledge, and the ability to drive change in traditional institutions. Tailor your application to highlight quantifiable digital transformation outcomes and leadership of diverse teams. Apply through official career portals, ensure your CV follows Botswana professional standards, and leverage networks within the Botswana Institute of Bankers or similar professional bodies.
