Product Specialist

Who we are:

PPS Investments is part of the PPS Group, which for over eight decades has been the trusted financial partner for graduate professionals in South Africa. Unlike a company that is listed on a stock exchange, PPS belongs to its members and operates under the ethos of mutuality. This means that qualifying members can exclusively share in the profits of the Group, through the unique PPS Profit-Share Account.

PPS Investments exist to create and grow the wealth of graduate professionals and their families to live the lives they want in a world worth living in. We offer diversified and flexible investment solutions that are mutually beneficial to our clients in the long run because we believe that success is better shared.

Purpose of the job:

The Product Specialist will assist the product development team in enhancing the current multi-manager investment solution range; while also taking on responsibilities related to the products and proposition of our linked investment services platform.

One of the key focus areas of this role will be to lead the strategic design and development of innovative investment solutions that enable use of private markets in our retail and institutional portfolio solutions and multi-manager range. Solving for valuation transparency, liquidity constraints and regulatory compliance.

This role will shape the product vision, define the roadmap, and play an end-to-end role in the development and approval of solutions in alignment with PPS Investments' strategic objectives. A successful candidate will require strong initiative and a commitment to hyper-personalise outcomes for clients while driving sustainable impact (UN SDG 4,5 and 12) within solutions.

Ideal experience:

• Minimum 8 years' experience in product development, investment strategy, or private markets.

• Demonstrable track record of involvement in developing or implementing new investment product ideas in the retail market.

• In-depth understanding of financial services with demonstrable insights into the investment needs or individuals.

• A good understanding of the investment industry tax and regulatory framework.

• Sound analytical skills and proficiency with analysis of large data sets using Excel and Power BI.

Ideal qualifications:

• A Bachelor's degree with a focus on Investments /Economics with demonstrated academic excellence.

• Post graduate investments qualification (E.g., CFA).

Competencies & ideal personality attributes:

• Analytical and enjoy problem solving.

• Investigative nature to unpack complicated problems.

• Self-starter with ability to multi-task.

• Highly organised and efficient.

• Evidence of being able to work collaboratively.

Systems knowledge:

• Highly proficient in MS Excel and Power BI.

Ability to apply your investment knowledge and research ability with the aim of developing and enhancing investment solutions suited to the needs of graduate professionals and their families, with a focus on private market solutions roll-out. A successful candidate should be able to successfully collaborate with multiple business areas on the analysis and research conducted. The candidate should be comfortable with drafting research papers or proposals for submissions to senior managers and executives.

Product Strategy & Vision

• Define and articulate a compelling product strategy for retail and institutional access to private markets in line with business strategic objectives to drive purposeful impact.

• Evaluate global best practices, emerging technologies and regulatory frameworks.

Solution Design

• Design product structures that address liquidity and valuation challenges.
• Collaborate with legal and compliance to ensure regulatory alignment.
• Ensure retail offering effectively takes up opportunity set of private markets identified by investment team.
• Develop pricing models and fee structures that balance investor value and business sustainability.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Engage with internal stakeholders and external partners.
• Draft and present business case proposals to relevant Committees for discussion and approval.

Execution Oversight

• Translate strategic concepts into actionable development plans.
• Guide implementation through cross-functional teams, ensuring delivery on time and within scope.

Market Intelligence

• Monitor competitor offerings, investor trends, and innovation in private markets.
• Identify opportunities for differentiation and strategic partnerships in executing the private market strategy

Please note:

• You acknowledge that any information supplied to PPS is provided voluntarily and therefore constitutes unconditional, specific and voluntary consent to the processing of such information by PPS. Your personal information will be processed for facilitating your employment application with PPS including any statutory or regulatory compliance with which PPS must comply (where applicable) and for the legitimate interests of PPS and yourself, both during the recruitment process and thereafter. You may instruct PPS by written notice to cease the processing of your personal information at any time and, subject to the requirements of applicable South African law, request that PPS delete and/or de-identify such personal information.
• Based on the nature of our business, honesty and integrity are inherent requirements for our roles.
• All appointments are made in line with the Company's Employment Equity targets.