Strategy Executive at Old Mutual South Africa

Job Description

• As part of the Group Strategy team, the incumbent is responsible for determining the best means to reach the organisations goals or missions. This is done by considering all available options and choosing the most productive in light of the competition and the changing business environment.
• Whether alone or through others, the incumbent is required to partner with internal business segments in strategy formulation and implementation . The incumbent will also be accountable for medium to large sized projects as appropriate. Drive communication of the strategic framework and influence the direction of the strategic goals of the business.
• Also provide a supporting role to the associates and analysts in the team, sharing their knowledge of strategy development and analysis approaches.

Strategy development/ thought leadership

• Work with OML CEO and Executives to clarify their strategic and commercial priorities and problems for strategy development
• Offer unique insights based on a deep understanding of political, social, business, market and finance trends; use insights to lead and influence change at strategic, tactical, team and individual levels across the organisation
• Develop finance strategy that is aligned with the organisation’s long-term plan that anticipates and supports business need, ensures appropriate resources are allocated to deliver effectively including goals to expand capacity, improve productivity and surpass industry benchmarks
• Identify and focus on future critical areas for the organisation and devise strategy to maximise opportunity and minimise risk
• Coordinate efforts of leadership and business units to link strategies and tactics of individual business units to those of the broader organization

Problem Solving

• Seeks multiple perspectives to understand the breadth and depth of complex issues
• Produces strategies to solve organisation-wide problems, considering the practical and political concerns associated with the implementation of solutions
• Enables the GS team to continuously improve and innovate in the long term
• Problem solves jointly with others to stimulate innovation
• Turns ambiguous or difficult situations into opportunities

Strategic Networking

• Manages relationships among key outside organisations such as strategic consulting partners and government entities to create long-range opportunities.
• Utilises established network of relationships both internally and externally to seek information of strategic importance and to seek a position of influence in key forums

Strategic Thinking

• Understands the position of the OML in the larger world context; conveys a thorough understanding of the organisation's and segments strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats; identifies competitive differentiators.
• Considers the bigger picture while setting priorities and the way forward.

Responding to pressure and change

• Demonstrates resilience in the face of challenge from staff, media and partner organisations
• Promotes OML as a flexible organisation, responding to the changing needs in the markets in which we operate
• Shows positivity in the face of external pressure, minimising negative impact
• Drives a culture of continuous improvement
• Sets the direction for organisational development and ensures effective communication of change initiatives

Stakeholder Focus

• Adapts objectives and OML’s public facing position based on the context behind stakeholder needs and requests
• Builds the reputation as an organisation committed to meeting the needs of customers
• Manages segment, Group Exco & Board expectations by anticipating and influencing changing priorities
• Instils a culture that encourages staff to think about meeting customers’ needs first
• Builds the confidence of staff, stakeholders and partner organisations by ensuring the delivery of quality work

Organisational awareness

• Focuses on the needs of the business that promot organisational awareness of how they impact priorities
• Anticipates and responds appropriately and professionally to political pressure, inspiring confidence and trust from stakeholders
• Shapes senior stakeholders’ perceptions of the GS, using their influence to support the OML agenda
• Leads the organisation by setting the highest standard in upholding integrity and ethical behaviour

Organisational Alignment

• Uses a variety of means to communicate the organisation’s needs and strategic directions.
• Develops a strategic direction for one’s unit that connects the role of the team to the success of the organisation. 
• Ensures the initiatives and priorities in one’s area are integrated with one another and aligned with the strategic priorities of the broader organisation.
• Aligns people, processes and structures with strategic direction and organisational needs
• Understands and applies the underlying theories behind macroeconomic behaviours to all levels of the organisation

Research and Analysis

• Exchanges ideas and knowledge with partners, subject-matter experts, and senior stakeholders to foster new research agendas and derive insights for the Group
• Takes accountability for the quality of intelligence that research and new policy are based upon
• Encourages new and innovative insights from analysis
• Evaluates the feasibility and cost effectiveness of research proposals, stringently assessing whether the research will add real value
• Encourages research with a highly practical focus and maximum impact
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• Market and regulatory environment
• Apply in-depth understanding of the organisation’s products and markets to shape strategy; establish relationships with external stakeholders to set strategic direction of future regulatory framework
• Monitor and forecast changes in customer and competitor behaviour and develop appropriate organisation response; determine impact of emerging business models and develop initiativzes to deliver optimal response
• Advise others on regulatory regime, including funding sources and regulatory benchmarks
• Forecast future state of the economy; anticipate economic conditions and provide strategic insight on how to mitigate impact on the organisation as a whole

Process management

• Benchmark internal performance against external indicators and apply best practice to the business
• Define process improvement to achieve business performance; manage key business processes from end-to-end such that they add value to the business
• Drive opportunity to integrate, standardise and simplify systems and processes

Project management

• Identify projects that drive value creation and align them to organisational strategies
• Champion projects that have broad implications across the organisation by aligning and influencing all key stakeholders

Communicating and influence

• Articulates self with credibility and conviction, encouraging buy-in to the organisation’s position
• Influences the thinking of others in the organisation, encouraging them to deliver in line with the strategic objective
• Ensures that the organisation communicates inclusively with staff and external stakeholders
• Acts as a credible and convincing spokesperson and negotiator
• Instils a corporate commitment to accessible communication

Developing Talent

• Delegates authority and responsibility with the capacity to do a task in one’s own way and encourages others to take the lead and learn new skills.
• Promotes sharing of expertise and supports learning opportunities across the organisation.
• Develops a common understanding and is transparent about staff potential to take over new responsibilities.
• Sets an example for staff development in the business.
• Encourages others to develop their people through development dialogues and action plans

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS / EXPERIENCE (REQUIRED FOR THE JOB)

• Relevant tertiary qualification (BCom, BSc, CA, Actuarial Science or B Bus SC or similar)
• 6+ years relevant experience in financial services and/or business strategy
• Prior consultancy experience is an advantage

Skills

• Accountable, Accountable, Analytical Thinking, Benchmarking, Building Relationships, Business, Business Acumen, Business Models, Business Strategies, Communication, Consulting, Continual Improvement Process, Emerging Businesses, Emerging Technologies, Finance, Finance Strategy, Financial Analysis, Funding, Leadership, Organizational Alignment, Organizational Development (OD), Organizing, People Management, Prioritization, Problem Solving {+ 11 more}

Education

• Bachelors Degree (B) (Required)

Closing Date

17 May 2023