Regional Manager

**Who are we?**

Sanlam Life and Savings (SLS) is focused on serving our retail and corporate clients in South Africa and further developing our strategic advantages in the South African market. Sanlam Life and Savings consists of the following business units Retail Mass, Corporate, Risk and Savings, Glacier and various business enabling functions. The Sanlam Life and Savings Office provides strategic direction, coordination and support to the four clusters, as well as performing governance oversight that includes assurance provided by second line of defense functions in SLS, to enable us to meet our business objectives.
- Who are we?
- Sanlam Developing Markets (SDM) (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sanlam Life Limited) is one of the top financial services providers in the South African entry-level and emerging middle market. It aims to understand the unique requirements of clients and offers a wide range of simple and affordable financial solutions that cover needs such as funeral insurance, savings for education, life cover and personal accident plans.
- In terms of the Sanlam Group Governance Policy, SDM is managed by the SA Retail Mass cluster, which is part of the Sanlam Life and Savings cluster within the Sanlam Group.

**What will you do?**
- The Regional Manager is responsible for driving the strategy to obtain new business from existing brokerages while ensuring the development and management of relationships with brokers in the region. This role encompasses recruitment, operational management, financial oversight, and the leadership of staff to ensure the overall success and growth of the region.

**Output/Core Tasks**:
**Business Development**:

- Develop and implement strategies to acquire new business and increase market share within the brokerage network.
- Establish and maintain strong relationships with key brokers to ensure alignment with business goals and objectives.
- Conduct market research to identify trends, opportunities, and threats to the business, and adapt strategies accordingly.
- Analyze sales performance metrics and implement corrective actions as needed to achieve targets.

**Recruitment and Staffing**:

- Lead recruitment initiatives to attract and onboard high-performing brokers and support staff.
- Develop and deliver training programs that enhance product knowledge, sales techniques, and compliance understanding.
- Implement performance management processes to assess and enhance team effectiveness and productivity.

**Financial Management**:

- Oversee the quality of business written by brokers, ensuring compliance with company standards and regulatory requirements.
- Monitor and manage bad debt levels, implementing strategies to mitigate financial risks.
- Set and achieve financial and operational targets, ensuring the region contributes positively to overall business profitability.

**Leadership and Management**:

- Provide effective leadership to motivate and guide the sales team toward achieving individual and regional goals.
- Ensure all operational activities within the region comply with company policies and regulatory guidelines.
- Prepare comprehensive reports on regional performance, highlighting achievements, challenges, and strategic recommendations for senior management.

**Broker Support and Engagement**:

- Act as a primary point of contact for brokers, providing them with support and guidance to optimize their business performance.
- Facilitate regular communication with brokers to gather feedback, address concerns, and identify areas for improvement.
- Organize and participate in regional events, workshops, and networking opportunities to promote collaboration and share best practices among brokers.
- Qualifications
- Matric (Grade 12).
- Certificate in Wealth Management.
- Diploma in Sales Management (advantageous).
- Experience and Knowledge
- At least 10 years of relevant experience within the insurance industry, with a minimum of 3 years in a management role.
- Intermediate knowledge of MS Office.
- Financial acumen to assess business viability and profitability.
- Core Competencies
- Ability to develop and implement strategies that drive business growth and enhance broker performance.
- Strong analytical skills to evaluate market conditions, sales performance, and financial data.
- Proven management and leadership practices to inspire and develop teams effectively.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills for effective engagement with stakeholders.
- Strong problem-solving abilities to address challenges and make informed decisions.

**Behavioral Competencies**:

- A persistent focus on achieving targets and business objectives.
- The ability to build rapport and maintain effective relationships with brokers and internal teams.
- Flexibility and openness to change in a dynamic environment.
- Commitment to ethical practices and adherence to company policies.

**Personal Attributes**
- Organisational savvy - Contributing strategically
- Balanc