About this role
Who are we? Sanlam Life Ltd is one of the top financial services providers in the South African market. We’re all about building strong, lasting relationships with our financial advisors. We know that you have hopes for your future – your career, your personal development and of achieving great things. We pride ourselves in helping our financial advisors to realise their worth. Our company is built on a respect for what people are worth and an appreciation for what they can become. We know that your worth is infinite and unique – and want to inspire you to realise this worth. This is why we give each and every person who is contracted at Sanlam the opportunity to make the most of who they are, and to be recognised, respected and rewarded for their capabilities.
Key Responsibilities Team Management and Supervision
- Supervise and support a panel of Financial Advisers in accordance with FAIS fit-and-proper requirements
- Conduct regular one-on-one coaching and performance review sessions with each adviser
- Facilitate weekly team production meetings and individual progress reviews
- Manage the onboarding and induction of newly appointed advisers Production and Performance
- Drive the team to achieve monthly and annual Production and retention targets
- Monitor individual and panel-level production against SCS and Fortress Financial Advisory Services benchmarks
- Identify underperformance early and implement structured Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs) where required
- Track activity ratios: prospecting, appointments, submissions and conversion rates Compliance and Risk
- Ensure all advisers always operate within FAIS and Sanlam Life compliance requirements
- Review and sign off on new business submissions
- Maintain accurate records of supervision, training and gate review documentation
- Report compliance breaches and escalate to the Regional Compliance Officer promptly Regulatory, Governance and Continuity
- Fulfil formal supervision obligations for advisers under supervision: execute supervision contracts, conduct appropriate interventions at the frequency prescribed by Sanlam Life, maintain detailed supervision intervention records, and ensure ongoing knowledge transfer per product category
- Manage each supervised adviser's progress against FAIS fit-and-proper cut-off dates (RE5, recognised qualifications, class of business training) to prevent regulatory termination
- Maintain direct and regular liaison with the SanlamConnect Quality and Risk Consultant (QRC) for the region; implement all rectification steps recommended by the QRC without delay
- Act as the local custodian of the Sanlam Code of Ethics: comply personally and enforce compliance among all linked advisers and SCS Business staff; remain current on SanlamConnect policy updates affecting adviser behaviour
- Vest and maintain a strong Treating Customers Fairly (TCF) culture across all aspects of the financial products and services lifecycle within the SCS Business
- Support the Sanlam Life complaints resolution system in all matters relating to linked advisers: act in good faith, remain objective, and unreservedly provide assistance and feedback to investigating consultants
- Fulfill the obligation of Information Officer under POPIA: register the SCS Business's legal entity as Information Officer with the Information Regulator —
- Manage the client transfer (jockey) process for any adviser exiting the panel: notify affected clients, facilitate transfer to an appropriate successor, and complete the process within the timeframe prescribed for SanlamConnect managers Technology and Systems
- Utilise and maintain proficiency in all Sanlam technology systems provided to the SCS Business, including: Microsoft Outlook (Sanlam community), SanPort, SanFin and related advice tools, FAIS Monitoring Tool, MIS, SanQuote, SanTrust, Leads, E-sign and the Academy Learning Portal
- Submit an annual written declaration to Sanlam Life confirming the SCS Business's financial records, financial affairs and all SARS taxation obligations (including employer obligations) are in good standing; disclose and report any instances of non-compliance promptly Recruitment and Pipeline
- Identify, attract and recruit suitable adviser candidates in line with SCS fit-and-proper criteria
- Meet manpower targets as set out by the business strategy and objectives in line with SCS requirements o Maintain a talent pipeline to support panel growth and replacement targets
- Facilitate the full appointment process including contracting and system onboarding Reporting
- Submit weekly and monthly production and activity reports to the Managing Director
- Maintain complete and up-to-date PIP documentation, gate review records and adviser supervision files Minimum
Requirements Qualifications and Licensing
- Regulatory Examination: RE5 (Representatives) - mandatory
- Matric or equivalent National Senior Certificate
- Relevant NQF Level 5 or higher qualification recognised under the FAIS Act (e.g. National Certificate: Wealth Management, or equivalent)
- Recognised as Fit and Proper under the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) requirements
- Supervisor qualification across the core 6 product categories: Long-Term Insurance Category A; Long-Term Insurance Category B1; Long-Term Insurance Category B2; Long-Term Insurance Category C; Retail Pension Benefits; Collective Investment Schemes Experience
- Minimum 3 years' experience as a practicing Financial Adviser with a proven production track record
- Minimum 1 year in a supervisory, Team Leader/ Sales Manager or Branch Manager role(s) within a tied agency or FSP environment (preferred)
- Demonstrated experience working within a life insurance distribution channel
- Prior experience in the Sanlam Core Solutions channel is advantageous Other
- Valid South African ID
- Own reliable transport and a valid driver's licence
- Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook)
- Clean credit and criminal record Purpose of the Role To serve as a senior advisory authority by managing complex intermediary and/or client portfolios, providing thought leadership on advice solutions, influencing distribution strategy at a segment level, and safeguarding long-term client and business outcomes.
Overview of Role Responsibilities (Level 1-13) Customer Relationship Management / Account Management - Level 6 - Adaptation Develop and implement a relationship management plan for existing customer accounts to identify and build relationships with relevant decision-makers and influencers within the customer organization and to enable effective two-way flow of information and resolution of issues. Collect feedback from identified customers or customer segments to ensure their needs are met, providing themes, summary analyses, and recommendations for changes based on customer input.
Information and Business Advice - Level 6 - Adaptation Provide specialist advice on the interpretation and application of policies and procedures, resolving queries and issues and referring very complex or contentious issues to others. Financial Advice - Level 6 - Adaptation Implement the strategy for providing financial advice within an area of limited complexity, taking its distinctive client demographics and needs into account. Pricing and Terms Negotiation - Level 6 - Adaptation Lead and deliver structured pricing and terms projects and procedures.
Negotiate within approved boundaries. Customer Needs Clarification - Level 6 - Adaptation Set clear objectives for each sales call or meeting; tailor standard materials to make presentations to decision-makers and influencers within the customer organization; and ask relevant questions to gather information, to evaluate the customer's level of interest, and to identify and respond to areas requiring further information or explanation. Required Skills Verbal Communication - Advanced Works at an advanced level to express ideas, request actions, formulate plans, and policies by means of clear and effective verbal communications.
Typically works independently and provides guidance. Builds Rapport - Advanced Works at an advanced level to quickly and effectively establish trust within the buying centers in the client's organization. Typically works independently and provides guidance. Closes Effectively - Fully Competent Works with full competence to pre-plan, suggest, and confirm mutually beneficial commitments that are appropriate and clear and that move the sales/client relationship forward. Typically works without supervision and may provide technical guidance.
Initiates Compelling Sales Conversations - Fully Competent Works with full competence to propose a mutually agreed-upon agenda to start sales conversations that offer value to the client. Intermediaries Process - Fully Competent Works with full competence to understand the role and responsibilities of the intermediary in relation to both client and product providers. Maintains the Relationship - Advanced Works at an advanced level to cultivate and sustain positive interpersonal connections, fostering trust, collaboration, and effective communication to support enduring professional relationships.
Typically works independently and provides guidance. General Experience Experience enables job holder to deal with the majority of situations and to advise others (Minimum 5 years) Managerial Experience Very limited (0 to 3 months) Education Undergraduate Degree / Honours Tertiary Degree Required Behavioural Competencies Communicates Effectively Manages Complexity Ensures Accountability Builds Networks Instils Trust Customer Focus The Sanlam Group is committed to transformation and embracing diversity. This commitment is what drives us to achieve a diverse, inclusive and equitable work environment as we believe these are key components to ensuring a thriving and sustainable business in South Africa.