Consultant: Research at Old Mutual South Africa

Job Description

• This is a technical specialist role located in Group Strategy function. The role looks at OML wide research projects and/or business specific tactical research projects. The role undertakes research to unlock opportunities and solve business challenges.

Research Management

• Executes the annual research plan that ensures all stakeholders are involved through the process.
• Understands the context provided by business strategy, marketing strategy, the brand promise and the customer value propositions.
• Contributes to the research briefs.
• Analyses and Interprets market trends relating to clients, consumers and intermediaries.
• Plans and executes research projects according to given briefs.
• Adheres to governances with respect to research in OML.
• Gives Input into the development of research projects.
• Works collaboratively with chosen external research companies where required.
• Advises and supports Group Strategy function with research knowledge and technical expertise.

Research and Analysis

• Proactively seeks new information sources to progress research agendas and address gaps in knowledge.
• Grasps limitations of or assumptions behind data sources, disregarding those that lack quality.
• Analyses and integrates qualitative and quantitative data to find new insights.
• Translates research outcomes into concise, meaningful reports.
• Identifies relevant and practical research questions for the future.
• Analytical and strategic: Manages complex, unfamiliar problems well.
• Creative, unusual thinker: Thinks out the box and is happy to push the boundaries/ challenge conventional research methodologies and thinking on a project by project basis

Research planning and strategy development

• Demonstrate knowledge of the full research cycle
• Aligns with desired outcome of annual research plan.
• Develop processes or systems for the collection of data for monitoring and evaluation.
• Monitor progress towards goal achievements and acts decisively as required.
• Translate researcher development strategies to organisational strategies.

Organisation and delivery of a research service

• Facilitate a research service that is aligned with organisational needs and formulating strategies for development and growth.
• Contribute to an organisational culture where research services is respected and valued
• Build networks and relationships.
• Report on research development within the context of organisational strategic frameworks as well as the larger context of local, regional and global trends
• Identify and implement new technologies, techniques and working methods.
• Analyses and interpret complex sets of information, identify gaps and work and engage consciously with assumptions.
• Exceptional project discipline: Proactive and disciplined, able to oversee all aspects of projects. Solves roadblocks, prioritises well, manages their time effectively.

Stakeholder Focus

• Seeks to understand requirements, gathering extra information when needs are not clear.
• Presents GS positively by interacting effectively with stakeholders.
• Delivers a timely and accurate service.
• Understands the differing needs of stakeholders and adapts own service accordingly.
• Seeks and uses feedback from a variety of sources to improve GS's service to the organisation.

Problem Solving

• Processes and distils a variety of information to understand a problem fully.
• Proposes options for solutions to presented problems.
• Builds on the ideas of others to encourage creative problem solving.
• Thinks laterally about own work, considering different ways to approach problems.
• Seeks the opinions and experiences of others to understand different approaches to problem solving.

Responding to pressure and change

• Maintains a focus on key priorities and deliverables, staying resilient in the face of pressure.
• Anticipates and adapts flexibly to changing requirements.
• Uses challenges as an opportunity to learn and improve.
• Participates fully and encourages others to engage in change initiatives.
• Manages team’s well-being, supporting them to cope with pressure and change.

Minimum Requirements

• Relevant tertiary qualification
• 2 - 3 years relevant experience in research or analytics capacities
• Experience in financial services would be advantageous

Skills

• Adaptability, Business, Business Strategies, Change Management, Customer Value, Emerging Technologies, Facilitation, Global Trends, Marketing Strategies, Market Trends, Portfolio Management, Problem Solving, Project Management, Researching, Research Methodologies, Research Projects, Strategic Planning, Strategy Development, Translations, Value Propositions

Closing Date

17 May 2023