Job Opportunities at Sanlam

What will you do?

The successful candidate will form part of the Client Research function within Sanlam Investments (SI) distribution team.

Key responsibilities?

• Analyse, interpret and share (written) market, product and industry related research showing how it impacts our business and value proposition to clients.
• Produce written research and articles covering the industry, market, product and client topics.
• Updating our performance, positioning, risk, market share and flow statistics, over time, building a single cohesive picture, from multiple sources, relative to the industry and peer experience.
• Produce insightful quantitative and qualitative competitor analysis that adds value to retention and growth activity.
• Building client insights and profiles from the CRM client record, public information, research network and the account executive (distribution).
• Present client and investment-related information to the SI Distribution team and other areas within SI.
• Data stewardship for the SI distribution team.
• Work closely with Product Specialists in building and updating the content bank: new business pitches, sales aids and ad hoc client reporting for the respective SI capability using consistent templates from within the content management system.
• Work closely with internal business units in preparing high quality responses to RFPs and DDQs, pitch presentations and client report backs, including, but is not limited to, general business information, portfolio management and process, ESG, operations, risk and compliance and transformation.
• Assist client Account Executives and Product Specialists with any ad hoc queries/ requests relating to information usually contained in RFPs and DDQs.
• Responding timeously to asset consultant queries and requests.
• Provide support to the SI Distribution team in any way that maintains and enhances the client experience. 

Minimum requirements?

• Relevant University Degree 
• Relevant Post Graduate qualification would be advantageous
• At least 5 years related experience and strong analytical research skills
• Proficient in the MS Office suites (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Experience in the production of written client communication material

Technical Competencies

• Knowledge of investment and economic principles.
• Understanding of investment management and the financial services industry.
• Exceptional communication skills (both written and verbal). 
• Proven decision-making skills
• Strong presentation skills
• Experience in translating technical information into client-friendly communication.
• Attention to detail with high levels of accuracy.
• Strong planning and coordinating skills with good time management.
• Ability to maintain high levels of productivity.
• Ability to work to deadlines and occasionally outside regular work hours.
• Ability to manage and control multiple priorities and competing deadlines whilst maintaining excellent attention to detail.
• Client-centric disposition and impeccable service standards.
• Self-motivated with high levels of initiative.
• A team player who is able to build strong working relationships with colleagues.
• A willingness to continuously learn about complex investment products.

Core Competencies?

• Cultivates Innovation – Creating new and better ways for the organisation to be successful
• Client focus – building strong client relationships and deliver client-centric solutions
• Drives results – consistently seizing opportunities and achieving results even under tough circumstances
• Collaborates – building partnerships and working collaboratively and inclusively with others to meet shared objectives
• Being Resilient – rebounding from setbacks and adversity when facing demanding situations 

Behavioural Competencies?

• Business Insight – applying knowledge of business and the marketplace to advance the organizations goals
• Organisational Savvy – Manoeuvring comfortably through complex policy, process and people-related organizational dynamics
• Manages Complexity – making sense of complex, high quantity and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems
• Plans and Aligns – planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals

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What will you do?

• The purpose of the role is to provide new and existing clients with professional and relevant financial advice, planning and products (sales) that are suited to their needs and requirements. Undertake the procurement of sustainable business of a high quality, in accordance with the business targets set. Maintain and service these clients as part of a long- term relationship which builds loyalty to the brand and generates ongoing advice and sales. Undertake these activities within a compliant and ethical manner which results in the building and sustaining the Sanlam Group business and brand.

What will make you successful in this role?

Assist in growing the Sanlam Connect Business

• Be committed to the marketing plans and targets set for growing and developing the business as set forward by Sanlam Connect.
• Apply knowledge and understanding of market segmentation and customer profiles to support sales and growth within the defined market.

Undertake relevant behaviours to attain targets relating to:

• Revenue generation (Single and recurring premiums)
• Activity quotas
• Promote the SanlamConnect brand

Networking, prospecting and leads generation

• Face to face interactions, social or business, to create business opportunities.
• Prospecting of new clients through creative opportunities such as business/social networks, associations or ad hoc presentations.
• Turning trusted relationships into business relationships.
• Strengthening existing relationships by increasing the current service.
• Use existing sources to establish opportunities across Sanlam businesses.
• Personalised client value propositions.
• Marketing on social media.
• Undertake selected client focused activities to generate leads and informal prospecting opportunities.
• Mining of existing client base to identify marketing gaps and sales opportunities within the middle-high and affluent market.
• Structuring and implementing focused campaigns with new or existing clients in the defined market.
• Requesting active and ongoing leads and referrals from others.
• Monitoring and respond to client activities such as maturities, cancelations or surrenders within the defined market.

Client consultations and sales

• Ensure all client interactions are compliant in terms of disclosures and advice given (provide written/ electronic information required for compliance).
• Undertake comprehensive fact finding with each client to lift needs and priorities. Document these findings.
• Conduct a financial needs analysis, using the relevant e-tools / instruments or systems, to ascertain the client’s full financial situation; or utilise the services of a Para-Planner for this. (Draw policy history).
• Provide sound personal financial planning advice.
• Apply financial knowledge in putting together a plan that meets the needs of the client for a balanced portfolio.
• Present financial solutions to the client in a professional and competent manner aligned to Treating Customers Fairly.
• Use relevant processes and system tools to capture analysis information and update records accordingly.
• Review client’s portfolio annually by undertaking the above steps.

Client Service

• Ensure all client interactions are ethical, courteous and professional.
• Follow-up or refer all existing business queries to be resolved timeously through ‘back-office’ support.
• Strive for excellent, value-added service to clients so that they do not seek competitor products or services.
• Undertake continuous learning in terms of knowledge, skills and market/industry issues so as to service clients within the defined market.
• Initiate long term client relationships and maintain a relational focus.

Monitor, update and reporting (weekly/monthly)

Document and present the following activities:

• Number and profile of contacts, appointments, consultations.
• Issued business and revenue against targets.
• Update client details on records.
• Appropriate workflow and activity monitor system entries.

Qualification and Experience

• Grade 12
• Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act (FAIS) "Fit and Proper" requirements and Regulatory Examination successfully completed if registered with Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) for more than 24 months.

Knowledge and Skills

• Financial advice and support
• Production target achievement and budgeting
• Compliance and risk management
• Client relationship management
• Financial planning and recommendations

Personal Attributes

• Communicates effectively - Contributing independently
• Tech savvy - Contributing independently
• Action orientated - Contributing independently
• Builds networks - Contributing independently

Core Competencies

• Collaborates - Contributing independently
• Being resilient - Contributing independently
• Drives results - Contributing independently
• Cultivates innovation - Contributing independently
• Customer focus - Contributing independently