Title:  Head: Agricultural Finance

Job Family

Career Stream

Job Purpose

The Head of Agricultural Finance is accountable for leading Nedbank CIB’s Agricultural Finance franchise in South Africa and across the African continent. The role is responsible for setting and executing strategy, originating and structuring complex agricultural and commodity-related financing solutions, and delivering sustainable, risk-adjusted returns across the cycle.

The role is a senior leadership position within CIB, with responsibility for franchise growth, talent development, governance and risk stewardship, and close collaboration with internal stakeholders and the UK Head of Agricultural Finance to ensure an integrated client and product offering.

Job Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership and Franchise Development

• Define and execute the Agricultural Finance strategy in line with Nedbank CIB’s overall strategic priorities and 3-year planning cycle.
• Position Nedbank as a leading agricultural and agri-commodity finance partner across South Africa and selected African markets.
• Identify priority sub-sectors, geographies and client segments, taking into account cyclicality, seasonality and structural trends in agriculture and soft commodities.
• Drive innovation in structured agricultural, commodity and trade-related financing solutions.

2. Origination, Execution and Financial Performance

• Originate, structure and oversee profitable, specialised agricultural finance transactions delivering acceptable risk-adjusted returns.
• Grow and protect sustainable revenue streams while managing cost-to-income and efficiency ratios.
• Ensure disciplined balance sheet usage and alignment with agreed risk appetite.
• Maintain and grow market share through active client coverage, transaction leadership and thought leadership.

3. Client and Stakeholder Management

• Build and maintain deep relationships with leading agricultural corporates, traders, processors, cooperatives, sponsors, DFIs and strategic counterparties across Africa.
• Develop and maintain senior client relationships and lead complex client engagements, pitches and negotiations.
• Drive cross-sell and collaboration across CIB product areas including Coverage, Global Markets, Transactional Services, ESG/Sustainable Finance and Property Finance.
• Work closely with the UK Head of Agricultural Finance to deliver coordinated coverage of global and multinational agricultural clients.

4. Risk, Governance and Control

• Ensure all business activities are conducted within Nedbank’s credit, risk, compliance and governance frameworks.
• Maintain oversight of portfolio and transaction-level credit risk, ensuring acceptable credit loss outcomes.
• Identify and mitigate operational, conduct and reputational risks through effective controls, processes and systems.
• Provide senior input into credit, risk and investment committee processes relevant to the agricultural portfolio.

5. Team Leadership and Talent Development

• Build, lead and sustain a high-performing Agricultural Finance team.
• Set clear performance expectations, manage delivery against targets and provide regular coaching and feedback.
• Drive succession planning, talent development and retention of critical skills.
• Embed Nedbank’s values, leadership standards and transformation objectives within the team.

6. Market Presence and Thought Leadership

• Represent Nedbank in relevant industry bodies, conferences and forums.
• Contribute to the development of market standards and industry thinking in agricultural finance and related sectors.
• Provide insight on market trends, client dynamics and competitive developments to senior stakeholders.

Essential Qualifications - NQF Level

Preferred Qualification

• CA(SA), CFA, MBA or other relevant postgraduate qualification.

Minimum Experience Level

• A minimum of 10 years’ relevant experience in agricultural finance, commodity finance and/or structured trade finance within an investment banking or specialised finance environment.
• Demonstrated experience in originating, structuring and executing complex agricultural or commodity finance transactions.
• Proven people leadership experience, including managing senior professionals.
• Established executive-level relationships with key participants in the agricultural and soft commodity sectors in South Africa and broader Africa.
• Deep understanding of agricultural value chains, seasonality, cyclicality and risk drivers (including row crops, horticulture, livestock and relevant African soft commodities).

This role operates in close partnership with the UK Head of Agricultural Finance to ensure an integrated global approach to agricultural clients and transactions, while retaining accountability for the African franchise.

Technical / Professional Knowledge

Behavioural Competencies

Employment Equity Statement

Preference will be given to individuals from underrepresented groups.