Precious Tau - Senior Programme & Transformation Leader

Results-driven programme and transformation executive with over 15 years of experience in financial services, fintech ecosystems, and development finance.

LinkedIn Profile

Top Skills & Certifications

Top Skills

  • DEI Strategy
  • Digital HR
  • Fintech
  • Project Management

Languages

English, IsiXhosa & Setswana

Certifications

  • Six Sigma Black Belt Training
  • Certified SAFe® Scrum Master
  • Certified Quality Process Analyst

Precious Tau

Senior Programme & Transformation Leader | Agile HR | Human Capital Strategy | Fintech & Regulatory Projects | MBA | Certified Director®

South Africa

Summary

I am a results-driven programme and transformation executive with over 15 years of experience delivering enterprise-wide initiatives across financial services, fintech ecosystems, and the development finance sector in Southern Africa.

My work spans agile implementation at scale, human capital optimisation, fintech innovation, and regulatory collaboration with a strong focus on turning strategy into sustainable operational results. From leading Workday HCM optimisation to enabling regional real-time payments via World Bank partnerships, I bring deep expertise in complex programme delivery and stakeholder alignment.

With a strong foundation in human capital strategy and digital enablement, I thrive in environments where strategy, agility, and execution intersect. I'm passionate about building inclusive, highperforming cultures and driving impact across systems, people, and technology.

Select Achievements

Agile Transformation

Rolled out SAFe® agile ways of work across Absa's Talent Acquisition and Onboarding functions, increasing delivery cadence and cross-functional alignment.

HCM System Optimization

Led the diagnostic and roadmap for Workday HCM, improving system adoption and business integration.

Fintech Innovation

Delivered 6 regional fintech pilots across the SADC region in alignment with World Bank innovation funding.

Virtual Banking

Orchestrated the build and operationalisation of a virtual banking capability across Absa Retail, Business, and Private Banking clusters.

Post-Merger Integration

Enabled successful post-merger human capital integration for Momentum and Metropolitan.

Experience

With over 15 years of experience in programme management and transformation leadership, I have successfully delivered complex initiatives across multiple organizations in the financial services sector.

Absa Group

Senior Manager, Project Management – Group Human Capital

October 2022 - Present (2 years 9 months)

  • Led Agile SAFe® transformation across Talent Acquisition & Onboarding squads, improving delivery cadence and transparency.
  • Directed Workday HCM diagnostic across business units to align people systems to digital strategy.
  • Rolled out DEI initiatives including inclusive leadership assessments across ExCo-1 leaders.
  • Delivered onboarding and talent optimisation strategies integrated with BAU. Partnered with CPO, tech, and strategic PMO teams for leadership enablement and decision-making frameworks.

South African Reserve Bank

Regional Project Manager – National Payment System

March 2020 - September 2022 (2 years 7 months) Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa

  • Delivered six fintech innovation projects across the SADC region.
  • Managed Payment System Supervision Framework rollout.
  • Channelled World Bank funding to enhance real-time regional payments via TCIB.
  • Oversaw Business Support functions: BI, risk, compliance, and project management.

IQBusiness Group

Learning Project Manager

November 2019 - February 2020 (4 months) South Africa

Planned and delivered L&D and eLearning programmes for financial services clients.

Absa Group Career Journey

1

Senior Project Management Officer

September 2015 - February 2016 (6 months)

2

Project Manager

March 2016 - August 2017 (1 year 6 months)

3

Programme Manager

September 2017 - July 2019 (1 year 11 months)

Total tenure at Absa Group: 3 years 11 months

Programme Manager – Retail & Business Banking Operations Division

Absa Group

September 2017 - July 2019 (1 year 11 months) Johannesburg Area, South Africa

  • Led enterprise transformation projects across multiple clusters, supporting virtual banking, digital migration, and people enablement strategies.
  • Built a virtual banking capability across Retail, Private, and Business Banking segments.
  • Reimagined contact centre operating model into ecosystem squads; improved resolution time and customer experience.
  • Reduced customer complaints by redesigning processes and optimising digital voice options.

Project Manager – Retail & Business Banking Operations Department

Absa Group

March 2016 - August 2017 (1 year 6 months) Johannesburg Area, South Africa

Delivered customer onboarding optimisation for Business Banking clients. Automated and streamlined onboarding processes to reduce turnaround and friction.

Senior Project Management Officer

September 2015 - February 2016 (6 months) South Africa

Standardised project delivery frameworks and improved PMO reporting and execution quality.

Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA)

Programme Administrator

March 2015 - August 2015 (6 months) Johannesburg Area, South Africa

Coordinated infrastructure workstreams across 9 provinces.

Education

Kimberley Girls' High School

(1997 - 2001)

University of Pretoria

Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Statistics (2002 - 2005)

Gordon Institute of Business Science

Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration (PDBA) (2014 - 2014)

GIBS Business School

Master of Business Administration - MBA, Business Administration and Management, General (2020 - 2021)